Electricity in Mass

Question 1

What is ISO New England?

Answer 1

ISO New England is an independent, not-for-profit company authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to perform three critical roles for the region spanning Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and most of Maine.

Question 2

What are the three critical roles performed by ISO New England?

Answer 2

Operating the Power System, Dispatching the Power System, and Planning the Transmission System and Administering the Region’s Wholesale Markets.

Question 3

How does ISO New England operate the power system?

Answer 3

ISO New England oversees the day-to-day operation of New England’s power grid. They monitor, dispatch, and direct the flow of electricity across the power grid 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They also forecast New England’s electricity use considering variables like the hourly demand for electricity, the availability of power resources, and the possible effects of any failures of power system components.

Question 4

How does ISO New England dispatch the power system?

Answer 4

To meet the hourly forecast of electricity consumption, ISO control room operators issue instructions to each of the hundreds of resources—generators, transmission facilities, and other market participants in the region—to start up, shut down, raise or lower generation, modify interchange schedules, etc.

Question 5

How does ISO New England plan the transmission system and administer the region’s wholesale markets?

Answer 5

ISO New England plans the transmission system and administers the region’s wholesale markets. They are working towards a smarter, greener grid to meet the New England states’ aggressive policy goals to lower carbon emissions and increase the amount of renewable energy.

Question 6

What is the connection of New England’s power grid to the larger power grids in North America?

Answer 6

New England’s power grid is part of the Eastern Interconnection, one of four large power grids in North America. It’s interconnected through primarily alternating current (AC) transmission and tied to Québec only through direct current (DC) transmission.

Question 7

What is Alternating Current (AC) transmission?

Answer 7

Alternating Current (AC) is an electric current that changes its direction and magnitude periodically. Unlike Direct Current (DC), which flows only in one direction, AC can be used to transmit power over long distances with less energy loss

Question 8

What is Direct Current (DC) transmission?

Answer 8

Direct Current (DC) is a one-directional flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or even through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams

Question 9

What are the four main components of the electric grid in Massachusetts?

Answer 9

Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Monitoring and Control

Question 10

How is electricity generated in Massachusetts?

Answer 10

Electricity is generated by a variety of facilities including coal- and natural gas-burning power plants, hydroelectric dams, nuclear power plants, wind turbines, and solar panels. The location of these electricity generators varies widely.

Question 11

What is the role of the transmission system in the electric grid?

Answer 11

The transmission system carries electricity long distances at high voltage levels. For example, National Grid operates and maintains an electric system that consists of more than 2,500 miles of electric transmission lines. These transmission lines carry electricity to nearly 150 transmission substations that step power down to a lower voltage.

Question 12

How does the local distribution system function in the electric grid?

Answer 12

The local distribution system brings electricity from the transmission system to homes and buildings. This includes the costs to deliver power to your home, pay employees that maintain poles and wires, provide customer service, and make the electric grid more reliable.

Question 13

How is the electric grid monitored and controlled in Massachusetts?

Answer 13

The ISO’s master control center, located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and six additional local control centers, are responsible for monitoring, dispatching, and controlling the flow of electricity across the New England grid.

Question 14

What are the future plans for the electric grid in Massachusetts?

Answer 14

Building a cleaner power grid in Massachusetts will require new infrastructure. The state is working towards a smarter, greener grid to meet aggressive policy goals to lower carbon emissions and increase the amount of renewable energy.

Question 15

What is the primary energy source for electricity generation in Massachusetts?

Answer 15

The primary energy source for electricity generation in Massachusetts is natural gas, which accounted for about 74.1% of the electrical energy generation mix in 2022

Question 16

What other sources contribute to electricity generation in Massachusetts?

Answer 16

In addition to natural gas, other sources include solar (9.5%), biomass (4.6%), petroleum (3.5%), hydroelectric (2.9%), wind (1%), and others (4.4%) in 2022

Question 17

Where are some of the power stations located in Massachusetts?

Answer 17

Some of the power stations in Massachusetts include the - Boston Generating Station in Charlestown , Eversource in Westwood, Pittsfield Generating Facility in Pittsfield, Generation Electric Inc. in Leominster, Mystic Generating Station

Question 18

What is the Mystic Generating Station?

Answer 18

The Mystic Generating Station is a power station located on the border between Everett and Boston, Massachusetts. It has the highest nameplate capacity of any station in the state. The station is capable of burning both natural gas and petroleum, but mostly burns natural gas. It consists of eight separate generating units; Mystic 8 and 9 are combined cycle natural gas units with a total of four combustion turbines and two steam turbines which can produce 1414 MW total. The station is owned and operated by Constellation

Question 19

What is the difference between a competitive supplier and an electric utility in Massachusetts?

Answer 19

An electric utility, such as Eversource or National Grid, delivers electricity, while a competitive supplier supplies electricity

Question 20

What are the types of energy plans in Massachusetts?

Answer 20

The types of energy plans in Massachusetts include fixed-rate plans, variable-rate plans, prepaid and no-deposit plans, and renewable energy plans

Question 21

How does Massachusetts meet its electricity demand?

Answer 21

Massachusetts consumes more electricity than it produces. To meet demand, additional electricity is brought in from out-of-state sources

Question 22

What is the current challenge for Massachusetts in terms of electricity generation?

Answer 22

Massachusetts has been reducing its dependence on coal and oil for electricity generation, but in the process has become heavily reliant on natural gas. This poses numerous risks, including financial ones for consumers, who could face dramatic price swings and other impacts

Question 23

What is the role of Independent System Operator (ISO) New England in electricity transmission?

Answer 23

Massachusetts is a member of ISO New England, which covers six states, including Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island, as well as Massachusetts. ISO New England is part of the Eastern Interconnection, one of the four independent power grids in North America. It transports energy to millions of homes and buildings using more than 8,000 miles of transmission lines.

Question 24

How does Massachusetts meet its electricity demand?

Answer 24

While a significant amount of the electricity produced in Massachusetts comes from renewable sources, the state still relies on many nonrenewable sources to meet its energy needs. To meet demand, additional electricity is brought in from out-of-state sources.

Question 25

What is ACP?

Answer 25

ACP stands for - Alternative Compliance Payment. The mechanism that allows retail suppliers that are required to meet the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS) to discharge some of its obligation by making Alternative Compliance Payment.