The City of Socorro has been awarded $610,000 by the State of New Mexico’s Energy Conservation and Management Division (ECAM) for a grid modernisation project. The funding will support the design and engineering of a utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in partnership with Socorro Electric Cooperative (SEC) and Nuvve New Mexico.

The project’s first phase involves feasibility analysis, system design, and interconnection planning. The long-term objective is the deployment of a 5 MW / 20 MWh battery system and a new substation. The infrastructure is intended to manage peak demand and provide backup power during outages for the rural utility network.

The initiative uses intelligent grid management software to forecast energy demand and coordinate real-time dispatch. Officials stated the project is designed to be a replicable model for other rural cooperatives and municipalities across the state facing infrastructure constraints.

“Adding renewable sources of energy that can be dispatched for load shaving, potential cost savings, and to provide backup power in the event of the loss of AC power is a game changer,” said Manny Gonzales, CEO of Socorro Electric Cooperative.

The project will proceed through three phases, with the final deployment of the battery storage system subject to future funding and approvals. The City of Socorro is the lead applicant for the state-funded initiative.