DOER holding workshops on potential for load management, peak load reduction

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is studying the potential for load management tools like demand flexibility, energy efficiency, and virtual power plants to reduce costs for ratepayers and support the Commonwealth’s climate commitments.

In this study, the DOER is working with Energy and Environmental Economics and the Applied Economics Clinic to understand issues such as the potential to shift electric use out of peak hours, potential savings if flexibility in electric use is maximized, and barriers to reducing demand during peak hours.

The study will be looking at the potential for technologies such as battery storage, energy efficiency, smart devices, and EV chargers.

The DOER will be publishing the results of the study this fall, and the study will be used to inform future DOER policies and programs.

The DOER will host two public workshops to share preliminary results and invite feedback from interested parties.

• July 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: The study team will share preliminary results on the potential for peak load reduction, including technical assumptions, modeling methodology, and results for 2030, 2040 and 2050. Public feedback will be sought on whether the right set of technologies to reduce peak load are being considered, and whether the assumptions are correct for modeling these technologies.

• Sept. 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: The study team will share results on the cost-benefit analysis and feasible potential of peak load reduction in the Commonwealth. Public feedback will be sought on the barriers that different customers face in adopting different load management technologies like storage, energy efficiency, and smart devices (particularly low-income customers, renters, and customers in environmental justice populations), and what new policies (or changes to existing policies) could help customers overcome these barriers.

Each meeting will be hybrid, with Zoom as well as in-person attendance in Boston (Conference Room 2A, 100 Cambridge St.). Attendance is welcome at just one workshop or both.

Workshop details and background are posted online. To attend either session, fill out the Google form.