Eversource, National Grid Propose Transmission Solutions for Greater Boston

State energy transition study

National Grid & Eversource have submitted proposals for transmission solutions that will provide Greater Boston with enhanced electricity reliability

National Grid and Eversource have announced that they have submitted a range of proposals for transmission solutions that will provide Greater Boston with enhanced electricity reliability, increasing capacity for the flow of new clean energy resources, while having a minimal community or environmental impact.

New England’s power grid manager, ISO New England had said the station’s closing will create significant reliability risks in the Boston area, including overloaded transmission lines and overall system instability. To address those concerns, ISO-NE had issued a solicitation for competitive transmission solutions.

The eight proposals include upgrades to existing properties, are cost-effective, and can be built before Exelon retires Mystic Station on June 1, 2024. Some of the new proposals have the added benefit of enabling the cost-effective delivery of clean energy resources like offshore wind, with one capable of supporting an additional 1,100 megawatts of clean energy during peak demand hours.

“Our proposals will help usher in new clean energy resources, provide enhanced reliability for the region’s electrical system, and ensure these upgrades happen with little environmental impact,” said Rudy Wynter, president and COO of the Wholesale Networks & US Capital Delivery group within National Grid. “National Grid and Eversource will be able to cost-effectively deliver these critical infrastructure projects on time to meet the electricity needs of Greater Boston.”

The eight proposals submitted by Eversource and National Grid range in cost from USD 48 million to USD 120 million, with the most cost-effective solution containing the following benefits:

• Maximises the use of existing transmission facilities in the Boston area;
• Keeps upgrades entirely on properties already in use by the energy companies, minimizing the environmental impact;
• Will be in-service eight months prior to the planned Mystic Station retirement;
• Capitalises on the strong financial capabilities and unparalleled expertise of two companies that develop and construct transmission projects in Massachusetts and throughout New England.

Other solutions include the construction of a new 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission circuit along with existing rights of the way north of the Mystic Generating Station that will deliver added reliability, resilience and maximise the capacity to bring more clean energy into the Boston area.

ISO-NE is expected to make its decision on the winning proposal by mid-2021.