KRQE: Senator wants to encourage utilities to invest in storage

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich wants electric utilities to invest in storage technology.

The New Mexico Democrat and Maine Sen. Angus King have introduced legislation to establish a national energy storage portfolio standard.

The bill would set targets for energy storage to meet growing demand and encourage the integration of renewable energy, including solar and wind generation.

Heinrich says the grid of the future isn’t a one-way street, but an ever-changing system where electrons are moving in different directions. He says customers are now generators and utility companies have new responsibilities to provide flexibility, reliability and improved security.

Under the legislation, most state-regulated utilities by the end of 2024 would be required to have enough energy storage available on their system to provide at least 2 percent of the maximum power level they deliver to consumers.