Eversource has launched ConnectedSolutions+, a pilot demand response program that rewards businesses for reducing electricity use during periods of peak demand. The program targets areas with grid constraints or high levels of solar generation and aims to improve grid reliability while making better use of renewable energy.
The pilot is available to eligible Eversource business customers in parts of Greater Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. In Greater Boston, the program covers Alewife, Dorchester, Mattapan, West Roxbury, and Milton. The southeastern Massachusetts pilot includes Freetown, Lakeville, New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Acushnet.
Businesses can enroll qualified thermostats, building management systems, or battery storage systems. The Greater Boston pilot offers incentives for battery demand response, targeted load curtailment, and smart thermostat participation. The southeastern Massachusetts pilot focuses on battery charging and discharging to absorb excess midday solar generation. Incentives vary by program and are based on average load reduction during demand response events.
Eversource plans to use the pilots to evaluate targeted load management strategies in areas with localized grid constraints. The utility expects to collect operational data this year and may continue or expand the programs through 2029.