Massachusetts Pushes Ahead with New Clean Peak Energy Standard

By Peter Maloney, Microgrid Knowledge

Massachusetts is close to implementing a clean peak standard that could bring wider opportunities for microgrid developers. It would also make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to implement the standard.

Based on the premise that renewable energy is good for the environment, but even better if used at the right time, the clean peak standard (CPS) attempts to incentivize clean energy technologies that serve the peak.

It does so by sending a market signal to deliver clean energy when electricity use is highest on the grid, such as extremely hot or cold days.

The program also provides incentives for reducing demand when electricity use peaks on the grid. So for microgrids that provide demand response, the clean peak standard creates a new source of revenue.

Backers of the standard see it as necessary because if clean resources don’t serve the grid during these high demand periods, it’s likely that fossil fuel generation will, which can increase emissions and costs.

Massachusetts issued a straw proposal for the clean energy standard in April, and early in August released its draft rules. Under the current timeframe, the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) expects to...Continue on Microgrid Knowledge.