Updated Massachusetts Battery Storage Measures: Benefits and Costs

Comment on National Grid's Proposed Off-Peak Charging Rebate

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Client: Green Energy Consumers Alliance (GECA)

Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD, and Ricardo Lopez, PhD

March 2019

Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) replicated the calculations described in National Grid’s proposed off-peak charging rebate. AEC’s estimates of summer and winter off-peak charging rebates — using the methodology and data described in detail by National Grid — resulted in values similar but not identical to those presented by the Company. AEC concludes that the rebate levels proposed by National Grid represent a reflection of the reduced cost of service for off-peak charging and not a cross-subsidy. In addition, this comment raises several categories of potential additional peak to off-peak cost differentials and sources of charging revenue omitted in National Grid’s charging rebate methodology, including avoided transmission and distribution costs, avoided emissions costs, and funding for energy efficiency programs.

Link to Comment

Updated Costs of Community Choice Energy Aggregation in Boston

Client: Barr Foundation

Authors: Tyler Comings, Bryndis Woods and Myisha Majumder

February 2019

On behalf of the Barr Foundation, Senior Researcher Tyler Comings, Researcher Bryndis Woods, and Research Assistant Myisha Majumder prepared a policy brief with updated electric CCE and basic service rates for towns in Massachusetts with similar CCE programs to what has been proposed in Boston.

Link to Policy Brief

Testimony Regarding the Joint Statewide Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan for Massachusetts, 2019-2021

Client: Conservation Law Foundation

Authors: Liz Stanton, PhD

November 2018

On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Researcher Liz Stanton provided testimony regarding the joint statewide three-year energy efficiency plan for Massachusetts for years 2019 to 2021. The testimony provided an independent review of the petitions filed by the Massachusetts gas and electric energy efficiency program administrators to assess their consistency with the Green Communities Act (GCA), the Global Warmings Solutions Act (GWSA), and other prior Department Orders.

This report is one of three AEC publications on behalf of Conservation Law Foundation and other stakeholders in the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.

Link to Testimony

Comment on August 2018 Analysis of the Avoided Costs of Compliance of the MA GWSA

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

September 2018

Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, reviewed a recent study of the Massachusetts-specific cost of complying with the Global Warming Solutions Act. The study, released in August 2018 as a supplement to the Avoided Energy Supply Component in New England: 2018 Report, finds a Massachusetts carbon cost of $35 per ton of carbon dioxide (plus the cost of energy supply). Dr. Stanton supports this assessment while updates and critiques for implementation in future assessments.

Link to Publication

Massachusetts Comprehensive Energy Plan: Comments on Stakeholder Meeting Presentation

Client: Conservation Law Foundation

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

July 2018

On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, reviewed draft assumptions for Massachusetts 2018 Comprehensive Energy Plan modeling and produced a memo reviewing these assumptions. This memo was submitted as an attachment to Conservation Law Foundations comments on the Plan.

Link to Memo

Review of Massachusetts Efficiency Program Administrator's April 2018 Draft 2019-2021 Energy Efficiency Plan

Client: Conservation Law Foundation

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

July 2018

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On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, prepared an Applied Economics Clinic white paper of Massachusetts efficiency program administrator's April 2018 draft 2019-2021 energy efficiency plan. The detailed review and assessment included testing the sensitivity of the Plan's benefit-cost ratios to changes in assumptions regarding the cost of carbon emissions and the value of non-energy benefits to low-income households.

This report is one of three AEC publications on behalf of Conservation Law Foundation and other stakeholders in the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.

Link to White Paper

Massachusetts Battery Storage Measures: Benefits and Costs

Client: Clean Energy Group

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

July 2018

AEC-2018-07-WP-02

On behalf of the Clean Energy Group, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, prepared an Applied Economics Clinic white paper. Dr. Stanton assessed the cost-effectiveness of battery storage in Massachusetts, using the Massachusetts' efficiency program administrators' benefit-cost ratio methodology and found that both single- and multi-family batteries are found to be cost effective.

This white paper is part of a series of AEC publications on behalf of Clean Energy Group analyzing costs and benefits of battery storage in Massachusetts.

Link to White Paper

Link to History of MA Energy Sector Policy Brief

Massachusetts' Clean Energy Policy Overview

Client: Barr Foundation

Authors: Bryndis Woods, Nina Schlegel, and Liz Stanton, PhD

June 2018

On behalf of the Barr Foundation, Researchers Bryndis Woods and Nina Schlegel, along with Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, prepared an Applied Economics Clinic policy brief which detailed Massachusetts’ history of leadership in clean electric-sector policies. Beginning in the 1980s, through the electric “restructuring” laws and regulations of the 1990s, and then the 2008 Green Communities Act and Global Warming Solutions Act, Massachusetts policy-makers have laid the groundwork for today’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while adding diversity to New England’s electric generating resources. The 2018 ‘Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future’ continues this work, calling for accelerated renewable energy requirements, offshore wind and battery storage targets, and less stringent limits on rooftop solar installations.

Link to Findings Policy Brief

Massachusetts Clean Energy Bill Provisions Boost Jobs and Strengthen the State's Economy

Client: Barr Foundation

Liz Stanton, PhD, and Tyler Comings

June 2018

On behalf of the Barr Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Senior Researcher Tyler Comings prepared an Applied Economics Clinic policy brief discussing the pending 2018 ‘Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future’, which includes a range of provisions to address climate change while strengthening the state’s innovation economy. The act includes accelerating renewable energy targets, creating aggressive offshore wind and battery storage goals, and removing limits on rooftop solar. Dr. Stanton and Mr. Comings' study of the economic impacts of these policies found benefits for Massachusetts including new jobs, a stronger economy, more renewable resources, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, these policies would have little or no effect on consumers’ electric bills through 2030.

Link to Project Page

An Analysis of the Massachusetts 2018 'Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future' Report

Client: Barr Foundation

Liz Stanton, PhD, Tyler Comings, Rachel Wilson, Sagal Alisalad, Emrat Nur Marzan, Nina Schlegel, Bryndis Woods, Jason Gifford, Edward Snook, and Po-Yu Yuen

June 2018

On behalf of the Barr Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, along with members of the Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) staff and members of Sustainable Energy Advantage's staff, prepared an AEC report analyzing the Massachusetts 2018 “Act to Promote a Clean Energy Future”. The act includes a range of provisions to address climate change while strengthening the state’s innovation economy, including accelerating renewable energy targets, creating aggressive offshore wind and battery storage goals, and removing limits on rooftop solar. AEC and Sustainable Energy Advantage's study of the economic impacts of these policies found benefits for Massachusetts: new jobs, a stronger economy, more renewable resources, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, these policies would have little or no effect on consumers’ electric bills through 2030.

Link to Report

News Coverage: Barr Foundation Blog Post

The ABCs of Boston CCE

Client: Barr Foundation

Tyler Comings, Liz Stanton, PhD, and Bryndis Woods

March 2018

On behalf of the Barr Foundation, Senior Researcher Tyler Comings, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Researcher Bryndis Woods prepared a series of four policy briefs related to Boston's new Community Choice Energy Aggregation (CCE) program:

Boston CCE and Electric Costs: Describes the expected impact of Boston's new CCE program on electric customer costs.

Boston CCE and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Describes the greenhouse gas emission reductions expected to result from Boston's new CCE program.

Boston CCE and State Clean Energy Laws: Provides a comparison of Boston CCE, the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Standard.

Sourcing Green Energy for CCE Programs: Provides an overview of current CCE programs in Massachusetts and around the United States including a discussion of the different methods used to source their green energy.

These policy briefs are part of a series of AEC publications funded Barr Foundation examining how community choice energy (CCE) aggregation programs work and addressing commonly asked questions about Boston's proposed CCE program.

Accessing Energy Efficiency in Massachusetts

Client: Conservation Law Foundation

Liz Stanton, PhD, Emrat Nur Marzan and Sagal Alisalad

February 2018

On behalf of the Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Research Assistants, Emrat Nur Marzan and Sagal Alisalad, prepared an Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) report that investigates how well Massachusetts' energy efficiency programs are reaching under-served communities and hard-to-reach families. In 2017, Massachusetts' "Mass Save" energy efficiency programs ranked number one in the annual efficiency scorecard produced by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for the seventh consecutive year. Mass Save's ranking is not, however, a good indicator of whether or not low-income households are getting the services they need. At present, it is not possible to answer this question completely because Mass Save program administrators have access to - but do not include in publicly available statistics - information regarding low-income households, under-served communities and hard-to-reach families. Working with limited data, AEC found that there are substantial differences in energy savings among Massachusetts’ towns, and lower-income communities are receiving lower efficiency savings. This report presents maps and other figures showing differences in efficiency savings, income, and other community characteristics like language abilities and renter status for both Massachusetts towns and neighborhoods within Boston.

This report is one of three AEC publications on behalf of Conservation Law Foundation and other stakeholders in the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.

News Coverage: Sampan Newspaper

Link to Maps

Link to Report

Link to Data

Link to AEC/CLF Webinar

Link to Dr. Stanton's Testimony

Testimony on Columbia Gas of Massachusetts' Natural Gas Transportation Agreement Application

Client: Conservation Law Foundation

Liz Stanton, PhD

February 2018

On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, provided an Applied Economics Clinic testimony in Docket No. D.P.U-17-172. Dr Stanton provided an expert opinion as to whether or not Columbia Gas of Massachusetts' application for natural gas transportation agreements are consistent with the Company's energy portfolio objectives, the adequacy of alternatives considered and the consistency with Massachusetts state environmental policies. She concluded that Columbia Gas of Massachusetts does not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that their proposed natural gas transportation contracts align with their shared objective to provide the least-cost supply and demand resource mix.

This testimony is one of four on behalf of Conservation Law Foundation that examined the consistency of the applications with each Company's energy portfolio objectives, the adequacy of alternatives considered, and the consistency with Massachusetts state environmental policies.

Link to Dr. Stanton's remarks to Boston City Council

An Analysis of Community Choice Energy for Boston

Client: Barr Foundation

September 2017

Tyler Comings, Liz Stanton, PhD and Bryndis Woods

On behalf of the Barr Foundation, Senior Researcher Tyler Comings, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD, and Researcher Bryndis Woods prepared an Applied Economics Clinic (AEC) report and policy brief to examine how Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs work. The report and policy brief also addressed commonly asked questions in order to inform efforts in the City of Boston to understand the implications of CCE programs, including the program’s costs to residents and businesses, impacts on renewable energy, and contributions to the City’s climate goal. Dr. Stanton presented the findings at the October 3, 2017 meeting of the Boston City Council. At the same meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the Community Choice Energy resolution. In November, AEC updated the findings with a one-pager document that shows that the average household participating in a CCE program will increase their savings, relative to their default utility service, from 2 percent in 2017 to 19 percent in 2018.

This report and policy brief are part of a series of AEC publications funded Barr Foundation examining how community choice energy (CCE) aggregation programs work and addressing commonly asked questions about Boston's proposed CCE program.

November 2017 Update

Link to Report

Link to Policy Brief

Link to Stanton Testimony

Testimony on behalf of Residents of Brockton, West Bridgewater, and East Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Client: Alternatives for Community and Environment

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

June 2017

On behalf of Alternatives for Community and Environment, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD submitted testimony to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Office of Appeals and Dispute Resolution in the matter of Brockton Power's application to construct a new 350 megawatt natural gas power plant. Dr. Stanton's testimony demonstrated that the greenhouse gas emission limits set out in Brockton Power's revised application are not consistent with Massachusetts' compliance with its climate law, called the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Link to Stanton Testimony

Testimony on Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Proposed Regulations on the Global Warming Solutions Act

Client: Conservation Law Foundation

Author: Liz Stanton, PhD

February 2017

On behalf of Conservation Law Foundation, Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD submitted testimony before the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) regarding new and revised regulations 310 CMR 7.2, 310 CMR 7.73, 310 CMR 7.74, 310 CMR 7.75, 310 CMR 60.05 and 310 CMR 60.06 and their relation to the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). Dr. Stanton's testimony addressed the characteristics of and standards for a satisfactory framework for accounting for expected greenhouse gas emissions under GWSA and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts May 17, 2016 ruling on GWSA requirements, and presented results of a third-party review of MassDEP’s proposed methodology for greenhouse gas accounting in this matter as presented in their proposed new and amended regulations and related materials.