As Harvard pursues renewable energy options, the Select Board recently approved two key, nonbinding agreements.
On Tuesday, March 3, the Select Board voted to sign a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with NextGen Energy.
NextGen’s leadership team—Kimberly Johnston, Riccardo Bertocco, and Gina Ashe—presented a proposal to the Select Board on Jan. 20. According to Ashe, NextGen Energy is a company that finances, builds, operates, and maintains clean energy infrastructure in the form of statewide microgrids and long duration storage. NextGen refers to their microgrids as hubs for energy resilient operations.
With the memo of understanding, Harvard and NextGen Energy agreed to explore a community-centered network of 5- to 10-megawatt carbon-free microgrids. A minimum of four other municipalities are required for a consortium, in addition to Harvard. According to the memo, Harvard is the “initial convening municipality and liaison” for participating towns with NextGen Energy.
In early February, the Board also voted to approve a nonbinding letter of intent with Solect Energy to develop a solar photovoltaic system on the town-owned land often referred to as the gravel pit on Stow Road, near Interstate 495.
The Select Board, in making these decisions, took into consideration the recommendations of the Harvard Energy Advisory Committee. HEAC recommended more detailed evaluations of both solutions to better understand the potential benefits, costs, and feasibility for the town. Currently, the two agreements do not involve any financial commitments by Harvard.
The Select Board and HEAC will hold public information sessions on the gravel pit photovoltaic system at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road, Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Thursday, April 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
—Kristi Hobson Edmonston