In a landmark move for rural energy infrastructure, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) has selected Nuvve New Mexico to revolutionize power storage and grid management across northern New Mexico's communities. The innovative project will deploy two sophisticated 5-megawatt battery systems designed to dramatically enhance local energy resilience and operational flexibility.

The Battery-as-a-Service (BAAS) model represents a game-changing approach for rural utilities, allowing KCEC to access advanced grid technologies without significant upfront capital investment. These grid-forming battery systems will strategically support critical community services, including healthcare facilities, fire and rescue operations, and assisted-living centers.

Under the carefully negotiated agreement, Nuvve New Mexico will manage every aspect of the battery infrastructure—from ownership and financing to operations, maintenance, and performance optimization. The systems will participate in the Western Energy Imbalance Market through Guzman Energy, providing peak load mitigation and enhanced grid stability.

KCEC's CEO Luis Reyes emphasized the cooperative's commitment to innovation, stating, "This partnership reflects our continued focus on resiliency, affordability, and forward-thinking solutions for our members." Nuvve's CEO Ted Smith echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the Battery-as-a-Service model can strengthen rural and tribal communities by delivering predictable costs and modern grid services.

Beyond the initial deployment, KCEC and Nuvve have expressed mutual interest in exploring future collaborative opportunities. These potential initiatives include additional battery systems, community microgrids, electric transportation integration, and joint pursuits of state and federal funding to accelerate grid modernization.

Gregory Poilasne, Nuvve Holding Corp's CEO, celebrated the project as a significant milestone in their global battery deployment strategy. The companies anticipate finalizing definitive agreements within the next 12-18 months, with targeted commercial operations to begin shortly thereafter.

This pioneering project underscores KCEC's national reputation for renewable energy leadership and demonstrates how innovative technologies can transform rural electric infrastructure. By leveraging smart battery storage and service models, rural cooperatives can now access advanced grid capabilities that were previously out of reach.