SOCORRO, N.M. — The City of Socorro has secured $610,000 in state funding to advance a grid modernization initiative aimed at improving reliability, resilience and long-term energy planning for rural infrastructure.
The funding, awarded by New Mexico’s Energy Conservation and Management Division, will support early-stage development of a utility-scale battery energy storage system in partnership with Socorro Electric Cooperative and Nuvve Holding Corp..
The project includes feasibility analysis, system design, interconnection planning and economic modeling, laying the groundwork for a planned 5-megawatt, 20-megawatt-hour battery system and substation.
Officials said the initiative is designed to address persistent challenges facing rural electric systems, including outages, peak demand pressures and aging infrastructure constraints.
“This is an important step forward for grid modernization in New Mexico,” said Ted Smith, CEO of Nuvve New Mexico. “We are creating a clear and practical pathway toward deploying advanced battery storage in a way that improves reliability and reduces costs for the community through peak demand management, improved system efficiency and enhanced grid resilience. This project is structured to be replicable across other rural co-ops and municipalities throughout the state.”
By integrating advanced energy storage and intelligent grid management technologies, the project aims to enhance system performance while creating a scalable model for similar communities across the region.
“This project positions SEC at the forefront of grid modernization efforts in New Mexico,” said Manny Gonzales, CEO of Socorro Electric Cooperative. “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.”
The project will be implemented in three phases, beginning with design and feasibility work funded through the current award. Future phases will include procurement planning and interconnection readiness, followed by full deployment of battery storage and supporting grid infrastructure, contingent on additional funding and approvals.
Project leaders said the phased approach is intended to reduce risk while ensuring scalability and long-term viability.
“Nuvve continues to expand its grid modernization and energy storage platform deployment in the U.S.,” said Gregory Poilasne, CEO of Nuvve Holding Corp. “Our partnership with the City of Socorro and Socorro Electric Cooperative demonstrates how advanced, AI-based energy management software can strengthen rural grids while supporting long-term resilience and flexibility by combining energy demand forecasting with real-time dispatch.”
Local officials emphasized the broader economic and community benefits tied to the initiative, including improved service reliability and long-term cost savings.
“The City of Socorro is proud to partner with Socorro Electric Cooperative and Nuvve on this important initiative,” said City of Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker. “This funding allows us to take a meaningful step to modernize our energy infrastructure, improve service reliability, and create long-term value for our residents and local businesses.”
The Socorro project is expected to serve as a model for rural grid modernization efforts across New Mexico, demonstrating how municipalities can leverage state funding, utility partnerships and advanced energy technologies to strengthen infrastructure resilience.
Originally reported by Business Wire.
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