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Massachusetts Grid Modernization

Building Tomorrow’s Smarter, Stronger, Cleaner Grid Today

Massachusetts leads the nation in driving the clean energy transition and combatting climate change.  The Commonwealth has set ambitious targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 prioritizing energy efficiency and electrification powered by solar and wind and reducing fossil fuel use in all sectors of the economy, while building a more resilient energy system for all Bay Staters.

At National Grid, we are committed to delivering the clean energy transition affordably, fairly and reliably.  To do that, we are building a smarter, stronger and cleaner energy system to connect more clean and renewable energy to the grid and to connect our customers to innovative energy solutions that meet their needs.

 

How Does the Grid Work and How is it Changing?

First, it’s important to understand how our electric grid operates and how it is changing. For decades, to deliver power to your home or business, there are three primary components: generation, transmission and distribution.

Generation
windmill next to house

Generation is the production of electrical energy from various energy sources.

Transmission

transmission lines

Transmission involves the movement of this energy over very long distance with very high voltage.

Distribution

substation with transmission lines

Distribution takes high voltage electricity and passes it though substations, reducing the voltage to levels that can be delivered safely to your home or business.

 

The combination of these components is what is known as the grid. It is changing from a one-way system designed to carry electricity from generating units to homes and businesses, to a smarter, two-way super-highway with many on-ramps and off-ramps.

Video in [Spanish] [Portuguese] [Mandarin].

 

What is Grid Modernization?

To achieve the Commonwealth’s goal for each electric company to develop an electric-sector modernization plan (ESMP), National Grid developed the Future Grid Plan. This roadmap provides a five-year, ten-year, and long-range forecast for ensuring reliable electricity is available where and when it’s needed as Massachusetts transitions to a clean energy future that includes more electric and renewable resources.

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Engaging our Customers and Communities

At National Grid, we consider our customers and communities an integral partner in developing and implementing our clean energy transition plans. As part of the development of our Future Grid Plan, we held more than 100 meetings specific to the ESMP process, reaching more than 250 different stakeholder groups and organizations. We continue to work with stakeholders and regulators to develop a smarter, stronger, and cleaner electric grid to power our energy future while balancing affordability for our customers.