Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 164 § 150

Current through Chapters 1 to 249 and Chapters 253 to 255 of the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 164:150 - [Effective 2/18/2025] Capital improvements by distribution or transmission companies; cost-effectiveness and timetable analysis

(a) For the purposes of 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 power flow control", any hardware or 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.

"Advanced transmission technology", a technology that increases the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of an existing or new transmission facility, including: high-temperature lines, including superconducting cables; underground cables; advanced conductor technology including advanced composite conductors, high-temperature low-sag conductors, and fiber optic temperature sensing conductors; high-capacity ceramic electric wire, connectors, and insulators; optimized transmission line configurations, including multiple phased transmission lines; modular equipment; wireless power transmission; ultra-high voltage lines; high-voltage DC technology; flexible alternating current transmission systems; energy storage devices, including pumped hydro, compressed air, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheels, and batteries; controllable load; distributed generation, including photovoltaic fuel cells, and microturbines; enhanced power device monitoring; direct system state sensors; fiber optic technologies; power electronics and related software, including real time monitoring and analytical software; mobile transformers and mobile substations; and any other technologies the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission considers appropriate.

"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. "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.

"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 authorized by 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, the distribution or transmission company shall conduct a cost-effectiveness and timetable analysis of multiple strategies, including, but not limited to, the deployment of advanced transmission technologies, advanced conductors, grid-enhancing technologies, or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource. Where advanced transmission technologies, advanced conductors, grid-enhancing technologies, 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 for achieving distribution or transmission goals, including, but not limited to, distributed energy resource interconnection, grid reliability and enhanced cyber and physical security, the department, to the extent permitted under federal law, may approve the deployment of advanced transmission technologies, advanced conductors, grid-enhancing technologies or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource.

(c) As part of a base rate filing or other filing in which a distribution or transmission company 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 advanced transmission technologies, advanced reconductoring, grid-enhancing technologies or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource.

(d) Once every 5 years, not later than September 1 of the fifth year, each distribution company and, to the extent permitted by federal law and in a format determined by the department, each transmission company shall make a compliance filing with the department and provide a separate report to both ISO-NE and the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy on the deployment of advanced transmission technologies, advanced conductors, grid-enhancing technologies or energy storage used as a distribution or transmission resource.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 164, § 164:150

Added by Acts 2024, c. 239,§ 82, eff. 2/18/2025.