Treebeard Storage

Energy Storage Facility | New Milford, Connecticut

The Treebeard Storage facility will use safe, reliable energy storage technology deployed by Flatiron Energy to ensure power is delivered to local homes and businesses during peak demand periods.

Worker in safety vest using a laptop at an energy facility.

Project Overview

Treebeard Storage is a battery energy storage system currently in the early stages of development by Flatiron Energy in New Milford, Connecticut. When completed, Treebeard Storage will store up to 560 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy and provide reliable electricity to local homes and businesses during peak demand. The facility is scheduled to commence operations in Q3 2028.

Power capacity — 140 MW

This is the system’s maximum power output at any given time.

1 megawatt (MW) = 1,000,000 watts.

Real-world example:

140 MW of power would light up 1.4 million 100-watt light bulbs.

Energy capacity — 560 MWh

This is the maximum amount of energy the system can store.

1 MW of power sustained for an hour = 1 MWh.

Real-world example:

560 MWh is enough energy to power around 28,000 Connecticut households for one month.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration: “How much electricity does an American home use?”, 2024

Project Renderings

Community Impact

Community Benefits

Treebeard Storage will deliver significant environmental, economic, and infrastructure benefits to the Town of New Milford and the broader Litchfield County region throughout the project’s development, construction, and operation. During construction, the project is expected to generate more than $1 million in new local earnings, create approximately 43 local jobs, and contribute over $40 million in tax revenue over its lifetime. In addition, the project will establish a Host Community Agreement with the Town of New Milford to ensure sustained, long-term community benefits.

Environmental impact

Battery storage is key to enhancing grid dependability. Treebeard Storage will store and distribute power generated by solar, wind, and other energy sources, making it more accessible when it’s needed most.

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Community resilience

Energy storage benefits residents by improving the reliability of the power grid. Batteries provide safe, reliable energy to residents, reducing the risk of blackouts and the need for more expensive energy generation.

Why New Milford?

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Supporting local reliability and resilience

New Milford sits at a critical intersection of regional energy demand and growing climate pressures. The Treebeard Storage site is located adjacent to a key portion of Eversource's transmission system, enabling efficient interconnection. As Connecticut experiences more frequent extreme weather events and increased strain on its electrical system, grid reliability and resilience have become essential to protecting residents, businesses, and municipal services. Strategic energy infrastructure investments in New Milford help ensure a stable, dependable power supply while supporting the state’s transition to a cleaner energy future.

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Clean Energy Focus

This project will strengthen Connecticut’s electric grid by providing flexible capacity to support renewable energy integration and reduce reliance on older, more expensive fossil-fuel–based generation during peak demand. In addition to contributing to long-term emissions reductions, the project will deliver local benefits, including increased tax revenue, temporary construction jobs, and infrastructure investment.

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By prioritizing safety, environmental stewardship, and community compatibility, the project reflects a forward-looking approach to meeting energy needs while supporting New Milford and Connecticut’s long-term economic and environmental goals.

Technicians working in an energy storage center.

Energy Storage Explained

Battery energy storage systems

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) provide reliable energy by storing surplus electricity for use during peak demand periods. The result is cleaner air, reduced pollution, and more affordable energy. Battery storage is a critical component of Connecticut’s clean energy strategy. It supports the state’s goal of deploying 1,000 MW of energy storage by 2030 to meet emissions-reduction and grid-reliability targets.

Aligning energy demand with renewable supply

Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind generate electricity intermittently, and energy demand often does not align with peak renewable production. Battery storage helps balance this mismatch by absorbing excess generation.

Saving energy for when it’s needed most

Batteries capture and store energy from renewable and other sources for later use. Without storage, excess clean energy that is not immediately consumed would otherwise be lost.

Reliable energy when demand peaks

During periods of peak demand, batteries discharge stored energy back into the grid, helping prevent blackouts, reduce grid instability, and lower peak-demand electricity pricing. Battery systems also provide essential grid services throughout the day, improving overall system reliability and resilience.

Residential neighborhood at night with lit homes.

Source: Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA); Connecticut Energy Storage Solutions Program; Public Act 21-53 (State of Connecticut).

Construction Schedule

Q1 2026

Project permitting

Ongoing

Annual performance reviews

Q2 2027

Construction commences

Q4 2028

Target operations date

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Contact

As a certified B Corporation, we deeply value the input of our community.

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