Transitioning to the Future Grid in MA Event Series

Transitioning to the Future Grid in MA Event 2 May 23, 2024

This is the second of a three-event series organized by NECEC and sponsored by MassCEC. This series explores the transition to the future grid that will follow and complement the Commonwealth’s Electric Sector Modernization Plan process. NECEC will convene stakeholders from across the MA energy ecosystem, including public and private sector leaders, communities, utilities, technology providers, entrepreneurs, and academics to hold a dialog on how to lean on innovation and collaboration to achieve an efficient, equitable, clean grid.

An overview of the event series

Event 1: Convene and brainstorm (held March 28, 2024)

The first event, kicked off by Secretary Tepper and MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert, convened a cross section of public and private sector leaders to introduce the series objectives and do initial brainstorming on the major transition challenges as stakeholders experience them.

Event 2: Solutions deep dive (May 23, 2024)

This second event will take the ideas and feedback from Event 1 to offer informative presentations and cultivate small group, solutions-based conversations.

The event will feature remarks from Melissa Lavinson, incoming Executive Director of the MA Office of the Energy Transition, and Jamie Van Nostrand, Chair of the MA Department of Public Utilities.

Event 3: Map a path forward (Save the Date: September 26, 2024)

The third event will present a proposed strategy and action items from the results of prior convenings, and position participants to continue the collaborations and pursue the ideas generated from the series.

The Agenda for Event 2 : Solutions Deep Dive

| 9:00-9:40 | Welcome and Introduction

• Alistair Pim, VP Innovation and Partnerships, NECEC
• Melissa Lavinson, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of the Energy Transformation
• Jamie VanNostrand, Chair, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

| 9:40-10:00 | Overview of DOE Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment Report

• Ariel Horowitz, Deputy Director, Grid Modernization, Grid Deployment Office, DOE

Topic 1: Incentive-Based Ratemaking

| 10:00-11:00 | Incentive Based Regulation Presentations

• Current State of IBR in MA-Sarah Cullinan, Senior Director, Net Zero Grid Program, MassCEC
• Best Practices from other Jurisdictions - Cara Goldenberg, Principal, RMI

| 11:00-11:15 | Break

| 11:15-12:00 | Table Discussion on Incentive-Based Regulation

| 12:00-12:30 | Lunch

| 12:30-1:30 | Lunchtime Technology Spotlight Series

• Chris Rauscher, Sunrun
• David Stuebe, Camus
• John Greene, Piclo Energy
• Richard Brody, CTC Global
• Jessica Harrison, VEIR
• Pasi Miettinen, Sagewell
• Nachum Sadan, GridEdge Networks
• Sarah Herbert, Linevision
• Richard Tabors, New Grid
• Sarah Jackson, Form Energy
• Brian Fitzsimons, GridUnity
• Schneider -Electric

Topic 2: Fostering Grid Tech

| 1:30-2:00 | Presentations on Fostering Gridtech in MA

• Josh Ryor, Assistant Secretary of Energy, MA EEA

| 2:00-3:00| Table Discussions on Fostering Grid Techs

| 3:00-3:15 | Break

Topic 3: Democratizing Grid Planning

| 3:15-3:45 | Grid Planning Presentations

• Planning Best Practices - Colette Lamontagne, National Grid
• Change Management & Stakeholder Mapping - Alison Magoon, MassCEC

| 3:45-4:45 | Table Discussions on Grid Planning

| 4:45-5:00 | Wrap-up & Next Steps