Smart Grid Information
Massachustts Smart Grid Pilots:
The Massachusetts Green Communities Act passed in July 2008 included the following language requiring pilots. The four resulting filings are linked below.
SECTION 85. On or before April 1, 2009, each electric distribution company shall file a proposed plan with the department of public utilities to establish a smart grid pilot program. Each such pilot program shall utilize advanced technology to operate an integrated grid network communication system in a limited geographic area. Each pilot program shall include, but not be limited to advanced (“smart”) meters that provide real time measurement and communication of energy consumption, automated load management systems embedded within current demand-side management programs and remote status detection and operation of distribution system equipment. On or before April 1, 2009, each electric distribution company shall file a proposal with the department of public utilities to implement a pilot program that requires time of use or hourly pricing for commodity service for a minimum of 0.25 per cent of the company’s customers. A specific objective of the pilot shall be to reduce, for those customers who actively participate in the pilot, peak and average loads by a minimum of 5 per cent. The department shall work with the electric distribution companies to identify specific areas of study, and may incorporate and utilize information from past relevant studies or pilot programs. The department shall review and approve or modify such plans on or before August 1, 2010. Plans which provide for larger numbers of customers and can show higher bill savings than outlined above shall be eligible to earn incentives as outlined in an approved plan. The programs filed by the distribution company shall include proposals for rate treatment of incremental program costs; provided, however, that such program costs shall be deemed by the department to be a cost of basic service and recovered in rates charged for basic service. Following the completion of the pilot programs, the secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall submit a report to the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy not later than September 1, 2012 detailing the operation and results of such programs, including information concerning changes in consumer’s energy use patterns, an assessment of the value of the program to both participants and non-participants and recommendations concerning modification of the programs and further implementation.
The following are the four April 1, 2009 Smart Grid Pilot filings:
Additional information on these pilots and their review will be posted at:
Suggestions for additional resources on this topic may be directed to:
Fran Cummings, RET Policy Director