Report on Maryland’s Energy Storage Rebate Program and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Objectives

The state of Maryland has relaunched its energy storage initiative, transitioning the Residential and Commercial Energy Storage Program from a tax credit to a direct rebate system. This strategic shift is designed to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technology throughout the state.

• The program provides rebates to homeowners and businesses for the purchase and installation of battery energy storage systems.
• The primary objective is to expand the supply of clean energy, thereby increasing grid resilience and making energy more affordable for consumers.

Contribution to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The initiative directly supports the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 7 by promoting access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy for all.

1. Ensuring Access to Affordable Energy: The program aims to lower energy costs for Marylanders. By storing electricity, consumers can shift their energy use to off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper, leading to lower monthly utility bills.
2. Increasing the Share of Renewable Energy: Battery storage systems are a critical component for maximizing the use of renewable energy sources. Their effectiveness is significantly enhanced when paired with technologies like rooftop solar, facilitating a greater reliance on clean energy.

Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability (SDG 11 & SDG 13)

The program is a key measure in building sustainable communities and taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

• Climate Action (SDG 13): By facilitating energy storage, the program helps mitigate the intermittency of renewable sources, supporting a broader transition away from fossil fuels. This is a direct action against climate change.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): The initiative strengthens community resilience. According to the Maryland Energy Administration, climate change is increasing storm severity, which challenges grid reliability. Battery systems provide crucial backup power during outages, safeguarding communities against the effects of extreme weather events.

Fostering Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The rebate program encourages investment in resilient infrastructure and promotes clean technology, aligning with the goals of SDG 9.

1. Building Resilient Infrastructure: The widespread adoption of battery storage systems enhances the overall reliability and resource adequacy of the state’s energy grid.
2. Promoting Clean and Sustainable Industrialization: The program incentivizes the uptake of innovative clean energy technologies, contributing to a more competitive and sustainable economic environment in Maryland.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article focuses on Maryland’s Residential and Commercial Energy Storage Program, which provides rebates for battery energy storage systems. This directly supports the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. The program is described as an effort to “expand clean energy technology,” and it helps customers lower their energy bills, addressing the “affordable” aspect of this SDG.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The program aims to make communities more resilient. The article states that the program will “help support emergency preparedness and build resiliency for communities statewide,” particularly in the face of power outages caused by severe weather. This aligns with the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly links the need for the energy storage program to the impacts of climate change. It quotes the Maryland Energy Administration Director, who states, “climate change is making storms on average about 20% more severe, which presents real and growing challenges to grid reliability.” The program is a direct response to adapt to these climate-related challenges and strengthen resilience against extreme weather events.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The article mentions that the benefits of battery storage systems “are compounded when combined with rooftop solar technology.” By incentivizing energy storage, the program makes rooftop solar (a renewable energy source) more practical and attractive, thereby helping to increase its share in the energy mix.

2. Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

   Maryland’s rebate program is a clear example of promoting investment in clean energy technology. By offering financial incentives (rebates), the state is actively encouraging homeowners and businesses to invest in and adopt battery energy storage systems, which are a key component of modern, clean energy infrastructure.

3. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

   The article highlights that battery systems provide power “during power outages,” which are often caused by disasters like severe storms. By ensuring a continuous power supply, these systems reduce the impact of such disasters on residents and businesses, contributing to community resilience and mitigating economic losses.

4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   This target is directly addressed. The article quotes an official stating the program’s purpose is to “build resiliency for communities statewide, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent” due to climate change. The battery storage systems enhance the adaptive capacity of households and businesses to cope with climate-related hazards like severe storms that disrupt the power grid.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of Rebates Issued / Systems Installed

  The core of the program is providing rebates for the “purchase and installation of battery energy storage systems.” A direct indicator of progress is the number of residential and commercial customers who receive these rebates and install the systems. This measures the adoption rate of the clean energy technology.

• Implementation of a State-Level Resilience Policy

  The existence of the “Residential and Commercial Energy Storage Program” itself serves as an indicator. It demonstrates that the state has adopted and is implementing a policy aimed at strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards (Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries and local governments that have adopted and implemented local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national strategies).

• Reduction in Energy Costs

  The article states that “customers can also expect lower monthly energy bills.” Tracking the average reduction in utility expenses for participating customers would be a key indicator of the program’s success in making energy more affordable, aligning with SDG 7.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: baltimorefishbowl.com