Amendment 90

Amendment ID: S2829-90-R1

Redraft Amendment 90

Require utilities to consider grid enhancing technology to achieve transmission goals

Ms. Comerford, Mr. Eldridge and Ms. Rausch move that the proposed new draft be amended in section 48, by striking out the definition of “Anaerobic digestion facility” and inserting in place thereof the following 4 definitions:-

““Advanced conductors”, any hardware technology that can conduct electricity across transmission and distribution lines and demonstrate enhanced performance over traditional conductor products.

“Advanced power flow control”, any hardware and software technologies used to push or pull electric power in a manner that balances overloaded lines and underutilized corridors within the distribution or transmission system.

“Advanced reconductoring”, the application of advanced conductors to increase the capacity and efficiency of the existing electric grid.

“Anaerobic digestion facility”, a facility that: (i) generates electricity from a biogas produced by the accelerated biodegradation of organic materials under controlled anaerobic conditions; and (ii) has been determined by the department of energy resources, in coordination with the department of environmental protection, to qualify under the department of energy resources regulations as a Class I renewable energy generating source under section 11F of chapter 25A.”; and

in section 50, by adding the following definition:-

““Dynamic line rating”, any hardware or software technology used to appropriately update the calculated thermal limits of existing distribution or transmission lines based on real-time and forecasted weather conditions.”; and

in section 54, by striking out, in line 782, the words “4 definitions:-”, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- “5 definitions:-

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

in section 55, by striking out, in line 819, the figure “5” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:-“6”; and

in said section 55, by adding the following definition:-

““Topology optimization”, any hardware or software technology that identifies reconfigurations of the distribution or transmission grid and can enable the routing of power flows around congested or overloaded distribution or transmission elements.”; and

in section 57, by inserting after the word “to”, in line 863, the following words:- “advanced conductors,”; and

by inserting after section 77 the following section:-

“SECTION 77A. Said chapter 164 is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

Section 150. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-

“Advanced conductors”, any hardware technology that can conduct electricity across transmission and distribution lines and demonstrate enhanced performance over traditional conductor products.

“Advanced reconductoring”, the application of advanced conductors to increase the capacity and efficiency of the existing electric grid.

“Dynamic line rating”, any hardware or software technology used to appropriately update the calculated thermal limits of existing distribution or transmission lines based on real-time and forecasted weather conditions.

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

(b) To the extent permitted under federal law, for base rate proceedings and other proceedings in which a distribution or transmission company proposes capital improvements or additions to the distribution or transmission system, such distribution or transmission company shall conduct a cost-effectiveness and timetable analysis of multiple strategies including, but not limited to, the deployment of grid enhancing technology, advanced conductors or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource. Where grid enhancing technology, advanced conductors or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource, whether in combination with or instead of capital investments, offer a more cost-effective strategy to achieving distribution or transmission goals including, but not limited to, distributed energy resource interconnection, grid reliability and enhanced cyber and physical security, the department may approve the deployment of grid enhancing technology, advanced conductors or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource as part of the overall solutions strategy.

(c) As part of a base rate filing or other filing in which it proposes capital improvements or additions to the distribution or transmission system, the distribution or transmission 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 distribution or transmission resource.

(d) The department may promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of subsections (b) and (c).

(e) Not less than every 5 years, each distribution company and, to the extent permitted by federal law, each transmission company shall make a compliance filing with the department and provide a separate report to the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy not later than September 1 on the deployment of grid enhancing technology, advanced conductors or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource in a format determined by the department.”.