NEWSLETTER | MAY-JUNE 2017
Experts visit Rhode Island to participate in public discussion on the future of State's electrical grid 
The Power Sector Transformation, a joint initiative of the Office of Energy Resources, the Public Utilities Commission and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, began earlier this year to guide the development of Rhode Island’s electrical grid and utility of the future.

Increasing numbers of Rhode Islanders are generating their own electricity, electric vehicles are on the rise and customers are expecting more control over their energy usage. These trends pose complex challenges, but also exciting new opportunities for our grid.

Experts from utilities, telecommunications companies, internet service providers, government agencies and policy groups flew in from around the country to present their viewpoints on the future of the grid and serve on discussion panels during packed public meetings in April and May.

To date, over 185 community members have attended public meetings and many have offered their input and opinions. The Power Sector Transformation team wishes to thank all participants.

Rhode Island has been gaining national attention for its efforts to transform the local power sector.

This project has been divided into four work streams:
  • Utility Business Models
  • Distribution System Planning
  • Grid Connectivity Functionality
  • Beneficial Electrification of Transportation & Heating
Video and slides from the meetings are available. For more information, email dpuc.powertransformation@dpuc.ri.gov.
Solarize Rhode Island launches spring round June 7
The communities of Cranston and Charlestown have been selected for the next round of Solarize RI! 

Solarize RI, a joint effort between the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Commerce RI and local communities, uses pre-selected installers and access to flexible financing to make going solar easy and affordable for Rhode Island residents.
 
The program allows for a competitive tiered pricing structure that ultimately increases the savings for everyone as more home and business owners invest in solar. Nearly 400 residents and business owners have signed contracts for small-scale solar electricity systems with the program. In addition, hundreds more have been educated about the economic and environmental benefits of solar electricity, energy efficiency and other clean energy technologies.  

Members of the pub lic are invited to the official launch event on June 7, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Charlestown Senior Center, 100 Park Lane, Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI. (For GPS, use 4891 Old Post Road).

For more information, visit the Solarize website or email DOA.SolarizeRI@energy.ri.gov.
Central Falls & North Smithfield convert streetlights to LEDS
Central Falls and North Smithfield joined the list of municipalities that have converted their streetlights to energy efficient LEDs.

Switching to LED fixtures results in substantial long-term energy and cost savings, while improving the quality of roadway lighting and safety. Depending upon the type of fixture installed and dimming strategy utilized, streetlight LEDs can reduce kilowatt usage between 50 to 65 percent. LED conversion can also help reduce maintenance costs because LEDs last about five times as long as conventional HPS street lights.

Currently, seven Rhode Island municipalities have completed or are in the process of converting their streetlights to LEDs.  Rhode Island municipalities are able to purchase and maintain their own streetlights according to the Municipal Streetlight Investment Act.

The Office of Energy Resources provides financial incentives to assist with LED streetlight conversion and adoption of control technologies that support dimming and scheduling capabilities. For more information, visit http://www.energy.ri.gov/efficiency/streetlights/
The Road to 1,000MW: Meeting Street School Solar Project
Located on the south side of Providence, the Meeting Street School is where infants, preschoolers and children of all ages and abilities receive individualized attention from highly trained, dedicated educators.

The Meeting Street solar project consists of a 86.19 kW net metered solar PV installation, that produces approximately 101,757 kWh and over $8,853 in annual energy savings. This project was supported by two grants of $126,750 and $102,309 from the RGGI Solar on Schools program and the Commerce Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, respectively. Combining these two incentives has allowed Meeting Street to have direct ownership of this project, rather than entering into a PPA or alternative financing structure, resulting in the school receiving 100% of the electricity production benefits.

To date, this project has produced approximately 161,816 kWh, saving the school close to $30,000 in electricity costs!

In March, Governor  Raimondo announced an ambitious goal to add 1,000 megawatts of clean energy and 20,000 clean energy jobs to Rhode Island by the end of 2020. Meeting Street School is just one example of the types of projects that are contributing to this goal.

UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
June 7
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
National Energy Education Development Project - RI Awards Ceremony
West Warwick High School
1 Webster Knight Drive, West Warwick, RI
June 7
2:00 to 3:00 pm
Solarize Rhode Island Launch: Cranston & Charlestown
Charlestown Senior Center, 100 Park Lane, Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI
June 15 
See Secretary of State website for time and location.
June 24 
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sierra Club/City of Providence Energy Fair
Southside Cultural Center
393 Broad Street, Providence, RI
June 26 
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
1 Capitol Hill, Second Floor, Conf. Room A, Providence, RI
June 28 
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms Street, Providence, RI