Section 164 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the following section:

Section 149. (a) Title and Purpose. This Act shall be known as the “Grid Enhancement and Technology Strategy Act.” The purpose of the Act shall be to maximize the capacity, reliability, and efficiency of the state’s transmission system by expanding the scope of applicable strategies, technologies, and deployment options used by distribution companies and the independent system operator of New England. 

(b) Definitions.

“Grid Enhancing Technology”. Any hardware or software technology that enables enhanced or more efficient performance from the electric transmission system, including, but not limited to dynamic line rating, advanced power flow control technology, topology optimization, advanced reconductoring, and energy storage when used as a transmission resource.

“Department”. The Department of Public Utilities.

“Advanced Reconductors”. Hardware technology that can conduct electricity across transmission lines and demonstrate enhanced performance over traditional conductor products.

“Dynamic Line Rating”. Hardware and/or software technologies used to appropriately update the calculated thermal limits of existing transmission lines based on real-time and forecasted weather conditions.

“Advanced Power Flow Control”. Hardware and software technologies used to push or pull electric power in a manner that balances overloaded lines and underutilized corridors within the transmission network.

“Topology Optimization”.  Any hardware or software technology that identifies reconfigurations of the transmission grid and can enable the routing of power flows around congested or overloaded transmission elements.

(c) Mandatory Review of GETs. For base rate proceedings and other proceedings in which a distribution company proposes capital improvements or additions to the transmission system, the distribution company shall conduct a cost-effectiveness and timetable analysis of multiple strategies including but not limited to the deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource. Where grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource whether in combination with or instead of capital investments, offer a more cost-effective strategy to achieving transmission goals including, but not limited to distributed energy resource interconnection, the Department may approve the deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource as part of the overall solutions strategy.

(d) Performance Incentive Mechanisms. As part of a base rate filing or other filing in which it proposes capital improvements or additions to the transmission system, the distribution company may propose a performance incentive mechanism that provides a financial incentive for the cost-effective deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource. 

(e) Regulations. The Department shall establish regulations to implement the provisions of the sub-sections (c) and (d).

(f) Five Year Review. Every fifth year from the date of this Act, each distribution company shall make a compliance filing with the Department, ISO-New England, and the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee on or before September 1st on the deployment of grid enhancing technologies, advanced reconductoring, or energy storage used as a transmission resource in a format determined by the Department.