Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4222 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4730 FILED ON: 12/8/2023
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4222
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Jeffrey N. Roy
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act advancing grid enhancement technology.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Jeffrey N. Roy10th Norfolk12/8/2023 1 of 3
16	16	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4730 FILED ON: 12/8/2023
17	17	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4222
18	18	By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jeffrey N. Roy
19	19	relative to electric grid enhancement technologies. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
20	20	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
21	21	_______________
22	22	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
23	23	(2023-2024)
24	24	_______________
25	25	An Act advancing grid enhancement technology.
26	26	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
27	27	of the same, as follows:
28	28	1 Section 164 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the
29	29	2following section:
30	30	3 Section 149. (a) Title and Purpose. This Act shall be known as the “Grid Enhancement
31	31	4and Technology Strategy Act.” The purpose of the Act shall be to maximize the capacity,
32	32	5reliability, and efficiency of the state’s transmission system by expanding the scope of applicable
33	33	6strategies, technologies, and deployment options used by distribution companies and the
34	34	7independent system operator of New England.
35	35	8 (b) Definitions.
36	36	9 “Grid Enhancing Technology”. Any hardware or software technology that enables
37	37	10enhanced or more efficient performance from the electric transmission system, including, but not
38	38	11limited to dynamic line rating, advanced power flow control technology, topology optimization,
39	39	12advanced reconductoring, and energy storage when used as a transmission resource. 2 of 3
40	40	13 “Department”. The Department of Public Utilities.
41	41	14 “Advanced Reconductors”. Hardware technology that can conduct electricity across
42	42	15transmission lines and demonstrate enhanced performance over traditional conductor products.
43	43	16 “Dynamic Line Rating”. Hardware and/or software technologies used to appropriately
44	44	17update the calculated thermal limits of existing transmission lines based on real-time and
45	45	18forecasted weather conditions.
46	46	19 “Advanced Power Flow Control”. Hardware and software technologies used to push or
47	47	20pull electric power in a manner that balances overloaded lines and underutilized corridors within
48	48	21the transmission network.
49	49	22 “Topology Optimization”. Any hardware or software technology that identifies
50	50	23reconfigurations of the transmission grid and can enable the routing of power flows around
51	51	24congested or overloaded transmission elements.
52	52	25 (c) Mandatory Review of GETs. For base rate proceedings and other proceedings in
53	53	26which a distribution company proposes capital improvements or additions to the transmission
54	54	27system, the distribution company shall conduct a cost-effectiveness and timetable analysis of
55	55	28multiple strategies including but not limited to the deployment of grid enhancing technologies,
56	56	29advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource. Where grid
57	57	30enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission
58	58	31resource whether in combination with or instead of capital investments, offer a more cost-
59	59	32effective strategy to achieving transmission goals including, but not limited to distributed energy
60	60	33resource interconnection, the Department may approve the deployment of grid enhancing 3 of 3
61	61	34technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource as part
62	62	35of the overall solutions strategy.
63	63	36 (d) Performance Incentive Mechanisms. As part of a base rate filing or other filing in
64	64	37which it proposes capital improvements or additions to the transmission system, the distribution
65	65	38company may propose a performance incentive mechanism that provides a financial incentive for
66	66	39the cost-effective deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or
67	67	40energy storage used as a transmission resource.
68	68	41 (e) Regulations. The Department shall establish regulations to implement the provisions
69	69	42of the sub-sections (c) and (d).
70	70	43 (f) Five Year Review. Every fifth year from the date of this Act, each distribution
71	71	44company shall make a compliance filing with the Department, ISO-New England, and the
72	72	45Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee on or before September 1st on the
73	73	46deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as
74	74	47a transmission resource in a format determined by the Department.