National Grid is conducting an RFI to gather information regarding: (a) interest in Non-Wires Alternative (NWA) opportunities in its Massachusetts service territory, and (b) the ability to respond to future potential Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for such NWA opportunities.
National Grid appreciates any feedback or information that may be provided by respondents and will consider that feedback as it continues to develop its approach to NWAs.
The RFI document can be found here and on the Piclo platform. Responses to the RFI need to be submitted via the Piclo platform. The deadline to submit a response is May 6, 2025 at 5pm EDT.
Find answers to commonly asked questions about the NWA RFI by reviewing this document.
For assistance using the Piclo platform, please contact support@piclo.energy. For other questions or assistance, please reach out to both support@piclo.energy and Non-WiresAlternativeSolutions@nationalgrid.com.
Piclo, a leading digital marketplace for DER-enabled energy flexibility, has expanded its partnership with National Grid, one of the world's largest publicly listed utilities. The strategic expansion will see Piclo offering its flexible energy solutions in Massachusetts, complementing its existing operations in New York and Connecticut. Piclo’s innovative approach allows utilities, energy market operators, energy companies, and large-scale energy consumers to trade flexibility—enabling smarter, more efficient management of electricity grids and helping to balance supply and demand. Please refer to the press release for more details.
Please visit our platform for the most up-to-date list and details of current opportunities. Refer to the appropriate tabs above for specific program information.
As of March 2025, there is currently 1 active opportunity in National Grid’s Upstate New York service territory:
Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP)
Please visit our platform for the most up-to-date list and details of current opportunities. Refer to the appropriate tabs above for more information on the below programs.
As of December 2024, current opportunities in New York State include:
Throughout the Summer, there are times when electricity use in National Grid service territory reaches its highest levels. Lowering overall energy demand during these peak events helps reduce National Grid’s need for costly infrastructure upgrades and helps minimize carbon emissions. To support these important goals, National Grid partners with Curtailment Service Providers (CSPs) to help Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers identify the right plan for their operations. The Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP) is one of National Grid’s Electric Demand Response (DR) programs, and CSRP participants can benefit by:
Financial incentives are based on performance. CSRP participants will receive Reservation Payments for each capability period month in which they are enrolled. Performance Payments will be paid for the hours of performance for both planned and unplanned events. Monthly Incentives will be based on the average performed curtailment amount for all events and determined by a Performance Factor applied to each customer, which is calculated by taking actual event curtailment divided by enrolled curtailment.
There is currently an active opportunity. The program capability period runs from May 1 or June 1 through September 30. Customers must enroll by April 1 for a May 1 start, and enroll by May 1 for a June 1 start for the capability period. A brief overview of the program is available below:
Incentives: Participation payments are based on performance. Participants will receive Reservation Payments for each capability period month in which they are enrolled. Performance Payments will be paid for the hours of performance for both planned and unplanned events.
Payment Structure: Participants can choose either the Reservation Payment or Voluntary Payment Option:
Calculation: Monthly incentives will be based on the average performed curtailment amount for all events and determined by a Performance Factor applied to each customer, which is calculated by taking actual event curtailment divided by enrolled curtailment. Please refer to Section 7 of the CSRP Program Guidelines for more information.
Baseline: Performance is based on the Customer Baseline Line (CBL) methodology. CSPs and Direct Participants select either the Average Day or Weather Adjusted CBL for each account number when enrolling in the program. Please refer to the CBL Baseline Methodology below for more information.
Eligibility Requirements:
Additional information about CSRP can be found on the National Grid Electric Demand Response Programs website.
DLM is a demand response program open to C&I DR and DER aggregations, in addition to front-of-the-meter projects. There are two components to DLM: Term-DLM and Auto-DLM.
Term-DLM is the territory-wide program for resources anywhere in National Grid’s upstate New York service territory, where pricing is bid by participants. Auto-DLM is targeted at specific areas on their grid, and has defined pricing.
Resources, individual projects, and DER aggregations can participate in this Term-DLM and Auto-DLM season if they:
There are currently no active opportunities. Term-DLM and Auto-DLM open for participation on an annual basis, so stay tuned in late 2025 for the next cycle. Please visit our platform for the most up-to-date list and details of current opportunities.
Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA) is the inclusive term for any electrical grid investment that is intended to defer or remove the need to construct or upgrade components of a distribution and/or transmission system, or “wires investment”.
These NWA investments are required to be cost-effective compared to the wires investment and to meet the specified electrical grid need. An NWA can include any action, strategy, program, or technology that meets this definition and these requirements.
Some technologies and methodologies that can be applicable as an NWA investment include demand response, solar, energy storage, combined heat and power (CHP), microgrid, conservation or energy efficiency measure, and other distributed energy resources (DERs) or distributed generation (DG). NWA projects can include these and other investments individually or in combination to meet the specified need in a cost-effective manner.
There are currently no active opportunities. National Grid may post new opportunities at any time. If you register for an account, you will be notified when new opportunities are uploaded. Please visit our platform for the most up-to-date list and details of current opportunities.
Please visit the press releases for more information:
DLM:
NWA:
If you have any questions or need any help, please send an email to flex-usa@piclo.energy.
We are compiling frequently asked questions and will publish them soon.
Business Partners - Discover information for trade partners and professionals, energy supply companies, suppliers and vendors, and about NWAs and the system data portals.
Suppliers and Vendors - Find everything from how to become a supplier to enrollment for new vendors as well as FAQs, forms, and applications for current vendors and suppliers.
Explore the links below for information specific to each of our jurisdictions.
Interactive mapping tools
Visibility into the electric grid distribution system in National Grid’s service territories:
Massachusetts System Data Portal
State initiatives
Initiatives that engage and enable NWA solutions:
Explore the regulatory landscape.
Access useful dockets and information regarding NWA activities and proposals in each state:
MA Department of Public Utilities
NY Department of Public Service
Tariff provisions
Learn about tariff provisions for each of National Grid’s service territories:
Analyze benefit-cost analysis
BCA information and references relevant to NWA for each state: