NECPUC has created a working group to explore issues related to how measures such as retail demand response and load flexibility can serve as resources to address our region’s challenges related to winter energy adequacy and peak demand growth.
To date, most of the discussion on how to address these challenges has been focused on the supply side, e.g., development of new generation resources, construction of new transmission, etc. While these supply side measures are critical to address, the opportunities presented by demand side solutions have been the subject of relatively little discussion. Given that these solutions are generally crafted as retail programs overseen by state regulators, and given the regional nature of the challenges at hand, a NECPUC working group is well-suited to explore both retail program design as well as how individual retail programs may interact with wholesale markets. Please note that this is an informational working group only; NECPUC has no independent regulatory authority.
Chairing the working group is Maine PUC Chairman Phil Bartlett. Additional commissioners participating are (in alphabetical order): Commissioner Riley Allen (Vermont PUC), Commissioner Abigail Anthony (Rhode Island PUC), Commissioner Pradip Chattopadhyay (New Hampshire PUC), Chairman Ron Gerwatowski (Rhode Island PUC), Commissioner Carrie Gilbert (Maine PUC), Chairman Marissa Paslick Gillett (Connecticut PURA), and Chair Jamie Van Nostrand (Massachusetts DPU). Commission staff are also taking part. Stakeholders and members of the public will have opportunities to contribute to the working group’s activities over the course of the year.
Working group information and updates, including announcements for future meetings, will be posted on this page and also distributed to the working group email list. If you would like to join that email list, please send a request to info@necpuc.org.
Prior Meeting Materials
February 29, 2024
Video recording of the meeting. Passcode: T5y?nHQ&
Presentation from Stephen George, Director, Operational Performance, Training & Integration ISO-NE
Presentation from Dan Schwarting, Manager, Transmission Planning, ISO-NE
March 29, 2024
Video recording of the meeting (note: recording started 25 minutes after meeting began). Passcode: u&7T@S69
Presentation from Hantz Presume’, Director of Transmission Planning, VELCO
Presentation from Bob Manning and Rob Whelan, Avangrid Networks
Presentation from Josh Tom, National Grid
May 3, 2024
Video recording of the meeting. Passcode: ZmK2$q?n
Presentation from Avery McEvoy, Senior Associate, Rocky Mountain Institute
Presentation from Mary Sprayregen, Global Head of Regulatory Affairs & Market Development, Oracle
Presentation from John Greene, Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Piclo
May 21, 2024 (NECPUC Symposium Panel, no recording available)
Panelists:
• Elizabeth Anderson, Chief, Energy & Ratepayer Advocacy Division, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Presentation from Jennifer Downing, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office
• Presentation from Stephen George, Manager, Operational Performance, Training, and Integration, ISO New England
• Presentation from Chris McCusker, Vice President, Energy Efficiency and Clean Transportation Programs, National Grid
June 21, 2024
Video recording of the meeting. Passcode: 2*5E1%FD
Presentation from Dr. Sanem Sergici, Principal, The Brattle Group
Presentation from Sarah Cullinan, Senior Director, Net Zero Grid Program, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Presentation from Brandon Crawford, Regulatory Advocate, Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota
September 13, 2024
Video recording of the meeting. Passcode: H8v4.x.p
Stakeholder comments:
Video recording of the meeting (started while meeting was in progress). Passcode: .ijtqu86
This meeting focused on a cluster of issues which we circulated to the working group on November 8: the desirability and/or need for consistency in demand response/load management program design, across the region. In particular:
- What are the common elements that should be considered in program design and/or as operational requirements for new programs?
- Of these elements, which program design elements and/or operational requirements are the most important to prioritize?
- What are the barriers to operating programs in multiple jurisdictions, and what types of program design standards would be most helpful in overcoming them?
- Beyond addressing the barriers identified in response to the above question, what are the benefits of improved regional standardization of demand response/load management programs? Describe and define any benefits and provide examples to the extent possible.
Stakeholder comments: