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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2892 FILED ON: 12/12/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2531
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael J. Barrett
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act advancing grid enhancement technologies.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael J. BarrettThird Middlesex 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2892 FILED ON: 12/12/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2531
By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2531) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of
Michael J. Barrett for legislation to advance grid enhancement technologies.
Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act advancing grid enhancement technologies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following section:
2 Section 149. (a) Definitions.
3 Grid Enhancing Technology. Any hardware or software technology that enables
4enhanced or more efficient performance from the electric transmission system, including, but not
5limited to, dynamic line rating, advanced power flow control technology, topology optimization,
6advanced reconductoring, and energy storage when used as a transmission resource.
7 Department. The Department of Public Utilities.
8 Advanced Reconductors. Hardware technology that can conduct electricity across
9transmission lines and demonstrate enhanced performance over traditional conductor products. 2 of 3
10 Dynamic Line Rating. Hardware and/or software technologies used to appropriately
11update the calculated thermal limits of existing transmission lines based on real-time and
12forecasted weather conditions.
13 Advanced Power Flow Control. Hardware and/or software technologies used to push or
14pull electric power in a manner that balances overloaded lines and underutilized corridors within
15the transmission network.
16 Topology Optimization. Hardware and/or software technologies that identify
17reconfigurations of the transmission grid and can enable the routing of power flows around
18congested or overloaded transmission elements.
19 (b) For base rate proceedings and other proceedings in which a distribution company
20proposes capital improvements or additions to the transmission system, the distribution company
21shall conduct a cost-effectiveness and timetable analysis of multiple strategies, including, but not
22limited to, the deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, and energy
23storage used as a transmission resource. Where grid enhancing technologies, advanced
24reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource whether in combination with
25or instead of capital investments, offer a more cost-effective strategy to achieve transmission
26goals, including, but not limited to, distributed energy resource interconnection, the Department
27may approve the deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or
28energy storage used as a transmission resource as part of the overall solutions strategy.
29 (c) As part of a base rate filing or other filing in which it proposes capital improvements
30or additions to the transmission system, the distribution company may propose a performance
31incentive mechanism that provides a financial incentive for the cost-effective deployment of grid 3 of 3
32enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission
33resource.
34 (d) The Department shall establish regulations to implement subsections (b) and (c).
35 (e) Every five years from the effective date of this Act, each distribution company shall
36make a compliance filing with the Department, ISO-New England, and the Telecommunications,
37Utilities, and Energy Committee on or before September 1st on the deployment of grid
38enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission
39resource in a format determined by the Department.