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Smart grid projects

NSTAR grid self-healing and efficiency expansion

The NSTAR Electric Company (NSTAR) grid self-healing and efficiency expansion project involves the installation of significant new equipment for automation and management of the distribution grid. A network of new and existing switches, monitors, and reclosers are installed on selected circuits to provide the grid with the capability to automatically isolate grid power disturbances and to rapidly restore functional portions of circuits. New automated distribution equipment is also being deployed by the utility as a means to better manage power fluctuations on the grid, thus improving power factor and system energy efficiency. Get details >>

NSTAR AMR-based dynamic pricing

NSTAR and its partners will enable residential dynamic pricing (time-of-use, critical peak rates, and rebates) and two-way direct load control by capturing Automated Meter Reading (AMR) data transmissions and communicating through existing customer-sited broadband connections in conjunction with home area networks. The demonstration includes approximately 2,870 residential customers in Massachusetts. Data collection will span two summer (i.e., cooling) seasons and occur over a period of about 24 months. Get details >>

NSTAR urban grid monitoring and renewables integration

NSTAR will enhance grid monitoring instrumentation on one if its secondary area network grids in downtown Boston, MA using state-of-the-art sensor equipment to monitor current and conductor temperature. This project will monitor grid-points in 500 manholes with a layered instrumentation approach. Advanced metering infrastructure-capable meters will be deployed at customer locations on the grid where solar photovoltaics are located and will monitor consumption. In two substations, the remote terminal units will be upgraded to include programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to store network feeder information, continuously analyze data, and take actions when necessary. Information from the sensors, smart meters, and SCADA data will be sent to a repository for analysis. Get details >>

Marblehead integrated AMI system with real-time pricing pilot

The Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD) project involves the town-wide installation of a fully integrated advanced metering system and a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of time-based rate programs and automated load management. It is aimed at reducing peak electricity demand, overall energy use, and operations and maintenance costs while increasing distribution system efficiency, reliability, and power quality. The project implements two-way communication to: (1) allow customers to view their energy consumption at their convenience through an energy Web portal, and (2) allow MMLD to manage, measure, and verify targeted demand reductions during peak periods. The project also includes a study of consumer behavior in response to a critical peak pricing service option. Get details >>

ISO-New England synchrophasor infrastructure and data utilization

ISO-New England (ISO-NE) and seven of its transmission owners are installing synchrophasor and phasor data concentrator (PDC) devices across the six states in the New England control area. These devices, in conjunction with a set of new applications, enable further improvements of the reliability of the transmission grid and prevent the spread of local disturbances to the neighboring regions through enhanced monitoring capabilities and increased situational awareness. This project deploys phasor measurement units (PMUs), PDCs, and communication infrastructure in New England.  Get details >>

Vineyard Energy smart grid implementation program

The Vineyard Energy project involves the deployment of customer systems to enable real-time load measurement and management while helping customers optimize their electricity usage. The main objective of the project is to develop and demonstrate the technology to communicate with and manage different customer loads and distributed energy resources to accommodate greater penetration of wind energy. Systems and resources to be integrated into Vineyard Power’s load balancing system includes home area networks, energy management systems, direct control devices (including water heaters, thermal heaters, air conditioning, and water pumps), and various smart appliances.. Get details >>

Varentec R&D on next-gen power electronics devices

Varentec, Inc. of North Andover will conduct research and development on a wide range of next-generation power electronics devices to better integrate renewable resources. Using an innovative circuit design with an integrated battery energy storage system, the project's goal is to deliver a fast response to rapid voltage changes arising from grid-connected renewable resources.  The prototype and full-scale solution will be tested at North Carolina State University's FREEDM System Center. Get details >>

Danvers smart grid implementation program

The Town of Danvers’ Smart Grid Implementation Program includes advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and automated distribution equipment. Smart meters and AMI for Danvers’ residential, commercial, and industrial customers support time-based rate programs and a home energy network pilot. Get details >>

Premium Power distributed energy storage system demonstration

Premium Power, headquartered in Massachusetts, will demonstrate with its partners a multi-hour, zinc bromide battery- based energy storage system (ESS) for load shifting, peak shaving, renewable system integration, and support for micro-grid operations. The project is based on Premium Power’s trailer-mounted 500 kW, 6-hr TransFlow 2000 energy storage system, providing capacity on demand. Two utilities will demonstrate this technology, National Grid and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). A fleet of three energy storage units will be installed in Syracuse, New York. These units will be controlled as a fleet from the substation to explore substation-feeder storage control methods. National Grid and SMUD will deploy, operate, and monitor the TF2000 units in their respective systems for two years. Get details >>

Beacon Power 20 MW flywheel frequency regulation plant

Massachusetts-based Beacon Power will design, build, and operate a flywheel energy storage frequency regulation plant at the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. The plant will provide frequency regulation services to grid operator PJM Interconnection. Beacon’s technology uses flywheels to recycle energy from the grid in response to changes in demand and grid frequency. When generated power exceeds load, the flywheels store the excess energy. Get details >>

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Mass. calls for improved clean energy connections

Massachusetts officials are recommending ways to improve how utilities connect smaller renewable energy projects to the grid, saying the demand for such connections is surging. Read more from BusinessWeek >>

Mass. IT pros turn their focus to building the smart grid

Massachusetts entrepreneurs are helping to put the smart in smart grid. A bunch of executives and companies with their roots in more traditional information technology sectors have turned their attention to the energy sector to help utilities and their business customers manage the flow of energy — some of it coming from renewable sources — in the electric grid of the future. Read more from the Boston Business Journal >>

A big week in clean energy for Massachusetts

In case you hadn’t noticed, the clean energy community in Massachusetts is having a great week. The Bay State is widely recognized as a national clean energy leader and three items this week underscore why that is. While each of these got some news here and there, it’s worth pulling all three together to demonstrate the state’s envious position in clean energy. Read more from The Energy Collective >>