Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

March 31, 2022

PURA launches new grid innovation program

HBJ File Photo
By Zachary Vasile

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority this week launched a new program designed to encourage the deployment of new energy technologies and products, with the overall aim of modernizing the state’s power grid.

According to an official decision handed down Wednesday, the program will allow “innovators” to submit ideas or proposals for consideration. A subgroup of successful applicants would be allowed to more completely develop their plans, and their projects could eventually be deployed on a limited scale to test their value.

The inclusion of a phased approach and multiple innovation pathways is meant to cultivate a “robust ecosystem of innovation” in the state, agency officials wrote.

“With today’s announcement, we launch a regulatory sandbox premised on the need to re-imagine pilot projects and break up the inertia of electric utility service in Connecticut,” said PURA Chair Marissa P. Gillett. “The dual priorities of modernizing our electric grid while balancing energy affordability requires that we leverage the innovation of the private market by creating a space for companies to develop and commercialize cost-effective, scalable solutions to our state’s electric infrastructure needs.”

The plan also includes measures for oversight, to ensure the exploratory projects are worth greenlighting.

While PURA will retain ultimate decision-making authority over the program, oversight will be shared with a neutral nine-member council representing specific categories of stakeholders, including the Connecticut Green Bank, Connecticut Innovations, the Office of Consumer Counsel, Eversource and United Illuminating, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and non-government or equity- or community-focused organization representatives.

A request for concept proposal will be issued on or around Jan. 2, 2023. Innovators interested in collaborating with Eversource and UI should reach out directly to the companies prior to that date, officials said.

PURA officials have spoken frequently of the need to update the state’s energy infrastructure while also making it more reliable and less centralized.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF