Series Overview
The “Future Grid” is an electric grid that enables a decarbonized energy system and supports:
- Massachusetts' 2050 climate goals
- High levels of reliability, resilience, efficiency and flexibility
- An equitable energy transition
- Pathways for innovative solutions
...but how do we get there?
MassCEC, in partnership with Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT) (formerly the Northeast Clean Energy Council), conducted an event series, Transitioning to the Future Grid in Massachusetts. We convened about 300 diverse stakeholders from across the grid landscape in a forum that complemented the state's first Electric Sector Modernization Plans process. Our series created a unique opportunity for an expanded group of stakeholders to collaborate, build relationships, and generate actionable recommendations to help Massachusetts progress towards an efficient, equitable, and modern grid.
Public and private sector series participants included representatives from:
- Utility regulators
- Utilities -- both investor-owned and municipal
- Grid technology providers and entrepreneurs
- Community-based organizations and municipal leaders
- Academic institutions
Over three days between March and September 2024, participants successfully developed recommendations for these critical grid challenges:
- Advancing incentive-based regulation
- Fostering the adoption of innovative grid technology
- Expanding engagement in grid planning
Participant feedback
"...a fantastic job of bringing stakeholders together. Events like this foster the excellent dialogue needed to pave the way forward as we collaborate, act, and lead the response the the climate crisis. Let's continue to work together to make a meaningful impact!"
-- Attendee
"Insightful and impactful event series!"
--Attendee
Are you a grid-related company or organization with an interest in Massachusetts? MassCEC’s Net Zero Grid Team would like to meet you!
Event 1: Exploring Strategies for an Efficient Grid Transition
March 28, 2024, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Keynote presenters
- Rebecca Tepper, Secretary, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO, MassCEC
Goals
- Include a wide range of Massachusetts grid stakeholders
- Foster collaborative, innovative discussion
- Collectively select the challenges upon which to focus the event series
OUTCOME: Selection of three key challenges
- Exploring incentive-based regulation
- Fostering the adoption of grid technology
- Democratizing/Engagement in grid planning
Presentations
Event 2: Transforming Ideas into Solutions
May 23, 2024, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Fireside Chat
- Melissa Lavinson, Executive Director, MA Office of the Energy Transformation
- Jamie Van Nostrand, Chair, MA Department of Public Utilities
Exploration of key challenges through presentations and table discussions
Incentive-Based Regulation
Fostering the Adoption of Gridtech
Democratizing Grid Planning
Event 3: Draft Recommendations for a Path Forward
September 26, 2024, The Engine Accelerator, Cambridge
Keynote: Elizabeth Mahony, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Presentation of Draft Recommendations: Sarah Cullinan, MassCEC
Fireside Chat: Debriefing DPU Order on the first set of Electric Sector Modernization Plans
- Melissa Lavinson, Executive Director, MA Office of the Energy Transformation
- Jamie Van Nostrand, Cahir, MA Department of Public Utilities
- Andrew Schneller, VP Network Strategy and Regulation, National Grid
- Digaunto Chatterjee, SVP Engineering, Eversource
Table Discussion of Draft Recommendations
Presentations
