Eversource Launches New Demand Response Pilots in Massachusetts
Eversource is rolling out new demand response pilots aimed at strengthening the local power grid in Massachusetts, particularly in the Greater Boston area and southeastern regions. The utility company announced this initiative on June 25, expanding its ConnectedSolutions program.
The pilot program in Greater Boston targets residential and business customers using stationary batteries, electric vehicles, building management systems, and smart thermostats. This effort is especially crucial during the summer heatwaves when energy demand spikes. In southeastern Massachusetts, the focus will be on encouraging the charging of batteries and electric vehicles during peak solar production hours.
These two pilots, named “ConnectedSolutions+” and “Managed Charging+,” will allow Eversource to explore advanced strategies to manage the expected increase in electricity demand caused by the electrification of buildings and transportation. This is projected to significantly reshape New England’s grid, with projections indicating up to 6.5 GW of added small-scale solar by the late 2030s.
Current Status and Future Plans
These pilots are currently active as southern New England experiences a heatwave. Data collection from these pilots will occur throughout this year, with plans to continue and possibly expand them through 2029.
Eversource aims to enroll around 2,800 devices in the ConnectedSolutions+ and Managed Charging+ pilots in Greater Boston. Most enrollees are expected to come from the ConnectedSolutions+ program.
The Greater Boston pilot is open to eligible customers in areas served by Eversource’s Alewife, Hyde Park, and Dewar substations. Events for ConnectedSolutions+ can occur from June through September between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., with an estimated 40 to 60 events annually for residential battery customers and 10 to 20 for thermostat users.
Participants can earn various performance incentives, with homeowners receiving roughly $400 for battery performance, while thermostat customers can earn between $50 and $150. Business customers can also benefit significantly from these programs.
In southeastern Massachusetts, Eversource plans to enroll 30 customers in Managed Charging+ and 14 in ConnectedSolutions+. Participants will receive performance incentives that vary month to month, with events occurring from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eversource’s vice president for energy efficiency and electric mobility, Tilak Subrahmanian, emphasized the importance of this initiative for local reliability and the overall energy grid. By targeting demand response at the substation level, the program aims to lower supply costs and reduce the need for upgrading infrastructure amid rising electricity demands.
This initiative aligns with practices seen at other utilities across the U.S., demonstrating a growing commitment to leveraging customer participation for grid reliability.