Information on this page is for customers in

Distribution Group Studies

What is a Group Study?

We are performing distribution group studies in Massachusetts to efficiently process and analyze distributed generation (DG) applications that allow complimentary group solutions to be shared by DG customers. The group study looks at the collective impact on the system to understand what system modifications would be required to support these DG projects when interconnected.

Refer to the following resources for more information about our group studies. All files are in PDF format.

Technical Standards Review Group (TSRG) updates

All files are in PDF format.

2025

2024

CIP Fee Approved Group Study Areas - Eastern Massachusetts

Group	Final SIS Date +/- 25% Cost Estimate	Customer Notification (10 business days after completion)	CIP Proposal Deadline (40 business days after completion)	CIP Fee (Dollars/kW)
Marion-Fairhaven Phase 1 Study	Completed 3/29/2022	Completed 3/28/2022	Approved 12/31/2022	$370/kW
Marion-Fairhaven Phase 2 Study	Completed 4/2/2025	Completed 4/2/2025	Approved 12/31/2022	$370/kW
Plymouth Phase 1 Study	Completed 4/19/2022	Completed 4/19/2022	Approved 6/4/2024	$224/kW
Cape Phase 1 Study	Completed 4/25/2022	Completed 4/25/2022	Approved 6/4/2024	$357/kW
Dartmouth Westport Phase 1 Study	Completed 4/8/2022	Completed 4/8/2022	Approved 6/4/2024	$387/kW

CIP Fee Approved Group Study Areas - Western Massachusetts

Group	Final SIS Date +/- 25% Cost Estimate	Customer Notification (10 business days after completion)	CIP Proposal Deadline (40 business days after completion)	CIP Fee (Dollars/kW)
Blandford Phase 1 Study	Completed 4/4/2022	Completed 4/4/2022	Approved 6/4/2024	$498/kW

In Process Group Study Areas - Eastern Massachusetts

Area	Date Group Opened	Total Projects Invited	Total Opt Ins	Opt in MW
New Bedford Phase 1 Study	Completed 5/11/2022	14	9	30.2
Plymouth Phase 2 Study	Completed 1/24/2025	46	42	166
Cape Phase 2 Study	Completed 1/27/2025	6	5	21

In Process Group Study Areas - Western Massachusetts

Area	Date Group Opened	Total Projects Invited	Total Opt Ins	Opt in MW
Southwick Phase 1 Study	Completed 5/9/2024	6	6	24
Whately-Deerfield Phase 1 Study	Completed 5/10/2024	11	9	34.9
Berkshire (Dalton-Hinsdale) Phase 1 Study	Completed 5/10/2024	4	3	15
Plainfield Phase 1 Study	Completed 1/31/2025	6	5	18.8
Blandford Phase 2 Study	Completed 1/31/2025	12	9	32.2

Account Executive Support

Eastern Massachusetts: melanie.khederian@eversource.com
Western Massachusetts: brandon.natale@eversource.com and melanie.khederian@eversource.com

Group Updates

Select an area to see updates. All files are in PDF format.

Cape Cod

Dartmouth-Westport

Freetown

Marion-Fairhaven

New Bedford

Plymouth

Plainfield-Blandford

December 2020 Updates For All Groups

Since individual group kickoff meetings were held, Eversource has been diligently working on the seven (7) Group Studies in MA and are targeting to be in compliance with the study timeframes under Section 3.4.1 (d) of Eversource's Standard for Interconnection of Distributed Generation, M.D.P.U .No. 55 (“Tariff”), as approved by the Department of Public Utilities in D.P.U. 17-164-A (Oct. 15, 2020). To keep customers apprised of Eversource's study progress, Eversource wishes to advise all Group members that there are several unexpected modeling-related issues that Eversource has been actively trying to resolve that might affect the timeline.

Recently, Eversource System Planning standardized a new modeling platform called Synergi Electric for conducting Steady-State analysis. Since the commencement of the Group Study, Eversource has made significant progress in creating its base case models, proactively modeling planned and approved distribution system upgrades along with incorporating the new Systems Planning criteria for DER analysis. As Eversource built these base case models, starting with GIS extraction and data validation, Eversource encountered a few inconsistencies that required significant collaboration with other departments to ensure that model errors do not significantly impact our analysis. The inter-department collaboration also helps to ensure that Eversource is capturing relevant system planning criteria and constraints in our base case models, while at the same time facilitating a process that will allow us to be more efficient in developing base case models for future group studies.

Once the models are validated, Eversource's DER engineers will add all existing/online projects and projects with executed ISAs to the model. In parallel, Eversource is also working with our vendors on the development of the base case PSCAD models for Transient analysis. These models would still need further updates when the group Steady-State analysis are completed, but by proactively developing the base models we hope to shorten the time needed to complete the PSCAD models.

Eversource is currently in the starting phase of the Steady-State analysis for most groups. Eversource's intention is to keep all customers regularly informed (at least monthly) on the progress and discuss any significant risks or concerns Eversource encounters during the analysis. Factors that may impact the completion schedule and associated activities include but are not limited to: base case modeling issues; DER stability model issues; solution development for potential adverse system impacts; and/or significant Member Impact changes requiring review.

Maynard-Walpole

Maynard-Walpole Group Opening Communication

Southwick

Southwick Group Opening Communication

DPU Group Studies Docket

Access the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) docket of group studies.

Affected System Operator Studies

ISO-New England has determined that transmission studies are needed for many distributed generation projects interconnecting to Eversource's infrastructure. Learn about the studies.