Maggie Downey of the Cape Light Compact presented to the Infrastructure Committee on June 10, 2015. Some highlights below.
A more detailed power point presentation on the 2016-2018 Energy Efficiency Program Plan, and a link to an online survey, is found at:
http://www.capelightcompact.org/eeplan/
Members are urged to take this online survey and provide their input on the suggested energy efficiency offerings for residences and businesses. It would be helpful for anyone taking the survey to review the online PowerPoint first, to get aquatinted with the proposed program offerings.
For those who want to delve deeper, this link also provides access to the current draft three year Energy Efficiency Program Plan for 2016-2018. This is a statewide document, in which Compact information is found in Appendix E.
This morning we also discussed new heating and cooling options that have been developed by the Compact along with Mass Division of Energy Resources. The options demonstrate alternative heating and cooling technologies, some of which are renewable, which provide lifetime costs that are comparable to natural gas. These options were developed in light of the moratorium on natural gas hook-ups, but are available to any Cape electric customer.
http://www.capelightcompact.org/ccoptions/
Statement from CLC on grid modernization:
Grid modernization, or “smart grid,” is an important part of Cape Cod’s energy future. It utilizes a combination of advanced remote data collection and technological improvements to increase the automation and efficiency of the grid. It also enhances two-way power flows—which are vital to development of more local renewable energy generation such as solar and wind, and other distributed energy technologies. Generally, the benefits of grid modernization include increased reliability/resiliency (fewer/shorter outages), reducing costs, and diminishing emissions.
Beginning in 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) launched a series of steps to explore how smart grid measures could be implemented in the state. These measures included an order requiring each utility to develop a ten-year grid modernization plan.
Eversource will submit its grid modernization plan to the DPU in August 2015. Based on prior statements and actions by Eversource, this plan is not expected to incorporate aggressive customer-facing smart grid elements, especially for the type of smaller customers that are most prevalent on the Cape and Islands.
There will be an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the Eversource grid modernization plan during the DPU proceeding this fall. It will be important for regulators to hear from Cape and Islands stakeholders if the plan does not include the types of technologies that will enable the region to enjoy the benefits of grid modernization.