One of the most common questions I receive from Harvard residents is around National Grid’s future plans. In general, folks believe the company’s performance has been spotty at best when it comes to providing reliable service to our town, and they wonder how the company will evolve as it moves forward.
Earlier this year, National Grid published its long-term “Future Grid” plan, aiming to decarbonize their operations and help the state achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. That’s a step in the right direction, but the path to a clean energy future for the company is not without its critics and challenges.
Components and promises
National Grid’s plan rests on several key components:
Grid modernization and expansion. To their credit, they recognize that the current grid is inadequate to handle the demands of a renewable-powered future. As a result, they plan substantial investments to upgrade and expand their infrastructure. This includes building new substations, transmission lines, and deploying smart technologies to integrate renewable energy sources effectively.
Building and vehicle electrification. The plan encourages the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric heat pumps, aiming to enable nearly half a million more EVs and over 80,000 electric heat pumps by 2030. This requires a significant investment in charging infrastructure and grid upgrades to support the increased electricity demand.
Renewable energy integration. Massachusetts has plenty of renewable energy potential, especially from offshore wind. The plan aims to speed up the connection of solar, wind, and other renewables to the grid, streamlining processes and investing in transmission infrastructure.
Renewable gas. National Grid also plans to incorporate renewable natural gas (RNG), sometimes called biomethane, into its energy mix. RNG is produced from organic waste like landfill gas, agricultural waste, and wastewater treatment byproducts. It can be injected into existing natural gas pipelines and used as a substitute for fossil-based natural gas. This is the controversial part of their plan, which I’ll come back to later.
Energy storage. To address the intermittent nature of renewables like wind and solar, National Grid is committed to implementing energy storage technologies. This is crucial to ensure grid reliability and maximizing the use of green energy.
Customer empowerment and equitable transition. The plan calls for working with customers during the energy transition and providing them with greater control over their energy use through tools like time-of-use rates and smart thermostats. It also emphasizes the importance of an equitable transition, focusing on initiatives to work equitably with underserved communities.
Milestones and early progress
The Future Grid plan outlines significant milestones. By 2030, National Grid aims for 40% renewable electricity, a 1-gigawatt increase in grid capacity, and substantial adoption of EVs and heat pumps. Further grid expansion and increased renewable connections are targeted for 2035, though they are not specified, culminating in net-zero emissions by 2050.
While the plan is challenging, the company has already made some progress. It’s invested heavily in renewable projects, including offshore wind farms, and launched pilot programs for innovative technologies like vehicle-to-grid integration. We haven’t seen much of their progress in Harvard, but it should start impacting us positively toward the end of this decade.
Renewable natural gas debate
Despite its ambitious goals, National Grid’s plan has drawn criticism from various organizations, particularly concerning the inclusion of renewable natural gas (RNG). Some environmental advocates and clean energy “purists” argue that RNG is not truly clean energy. While RNG reduces methane emissions by capturing those emissions from landfills and other waste sources, its combustion still releases carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Purists contend that relying on RNG delays the necessary transition to a fully renewable energy system powered solely by sources like wind and solar. Plus, the production and transportation of RNG can lead to methane leaks, a potent greenhouse gas. If leakage rates are high, the climate benefits of RNG can be significantly diminished.
National Grid views RNG as a bridge fuel that can help reduce emissions in the near term while the transition to a fully renewable energy system is underway. They argue that RNG can provide a reliable and dispatchable source of energy, helping to balance the intermittency of wind and solar. Furthermore, they emphasize the potential for RNG to create local jobs and economic benefits.
Count me as a purist.
Addressing transition challenges
National Grid faces a delicate balancing act: pursuing an ambitious clean energy agenda while managing costs, ensuring reliability, and addressing concerns about RNG and equity. The company needs to find innovative ways to finance grid upgrades, accelerate the deployment of renewables, and engage communities in the transition process. Open communication and collaboration with stakeholders, including regulators, consumer advocates, environmental groups, and communities, will be crucial for navigating these challenges and ensuring a successful and just transition to a clean energy future. As we all know in Harvard, the company hasn’t been great when it comes to open communication.
Conclusion
National Grid’s Future Grid plan represents a significant step toward decarbonizing Massachusetts’ energy sector. While it has its critics, particularly regarding the role of renewable natural gas, the plan’s ambition and comprehensive scope signal a commitment to a clean energy future. The road ahead will be challenging, but with continued innovation, collaboration, and a focus on equity, National Grid will meet its net-zero goal by 2050. That’s good news for the state and for all of us in Harvard.
Rich Marcello is a member of the Climate Initiative Committee. In writing his latest novel, “The Means of Keeping,” he spent several years researching the climate crisis.
