National Grid applies to expand SES program for two additional years in Worcester, Mass.

National Grid filed an application with the Department of Public Utilities on Tuesday to expand its Smart Energy Solutions (SES) pilot program in Worcester, Mass., for an additional two years to enhance smart grid service and reliability.

“Not only does SES help us with ways to better serve our customers through technology, tools and enhanced infrastructure, it has given us an opportunity to innovate and work directly with the Worcester community,” National Grid New Energy Solutions Vice President Carlos Nouel said. “We are looking forward to continuing to grow our relationship with the city, the schools and universities, and the greater community as we work to engage our customers. This is not just National Grid’s program; it is the community’s.”

The program has 15,000 participants in Worcester. Customers have various pricing plans to help them save on monthly electric bills using enhanced energy technologies and infrastructures. The program seeks to improve customer access to renewable resources, while gaining data regarding installed solar and wind distribution via installed monitors throughout the area. The program also seeks to observe the impact of distributed renewable generation on the electric grid.

The program was launched in January 2015 under the umbrella of the 2008 Green Communities Act. The program has maintained a high satisfaction and retention rate since launching, and has helped customers reduce average load and energy costs. A mid-program evaluation found that the program exhibited a 98 percent retention rate, 72 percent customer satisfaction rate and $1.25 million in customer savings.

If the request is approved, the program will run through Dec. 2018.