Marshfield to be test site for new energy-saving plan
A $4 million energy initiative in Marshfield soon may save consumers money, reduce peak demand on the
What NStar is calling its Marshfield Energy Challenge is a three-pronged approach of energy efficiencies, advanced "demand-response" thermostats, and solar power.
"It's been very successful in other parts of the country. Commercial customers have participated in this type of program for a long time," said Penni McLean-Conner, NStar vice president of customer care and in charge of the utility's energy efficiency efforts.
The utility plans to offer free energy audits to 1,200 homes in Marshfield with subsequent installation of energy-saving measures such as insulation and efficient appliances, especially air conditioners. Customers would pay for the upgrades but at reduced rates leading to quick payback.
In addition, NStar wants to install, at no charge, 500 of the smart thermostats, which not only would allow customers greater control over their energy use, but would give NStar the ability to raise household temperatures up to 4 degrees on hot summer days of peak demand. Customers who required air conditioning would be able to override the resets.
Finally, 30 homes and businesses are targeted for subsidized installation of photovoltaic systems.
NStar hopes to generate 250 kilowatts from solar power, McLean-Conner said.
Marshfield was chosen for the program, McLean-Conner said, because "it's unique in how the circuitry works that we can measure precisely how much energy we are saving." In effect, Marshfield has a single line running into it.
Overall, NStar aims to cut 2 megawatts from Marshfield's 25-megawatt peak demand. That demand is reached for 30 hours each summer.
"It's addressing a vibrant growing community with their growing community needs with a 21st-century approach, not just by building new [power] generation but rather by addressing demand-side supply options," McLean-Conner said. She noted that the combination of energy efficiency, use of photovoltaics, and the demand-response thermostat program is a first for Massachusetts, and according to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the combination is a first for the nation as well.
The program, financed by a $2.14 million grant from the collaborative and matched by NStar, has drawn the enthusiastic support of the Marshfield selectmen and some local businesses, such as Roche Bros. Supermarkets.
"It's an incredible opportunity for the town," Selectman Michael Maresco said. "Marshfield is a very environmentally-sensitive area in Massachusetts. With the marshes and having the North and South rivers, people are very environmentally conscious."
For consumers, he said, it "is a great opportunity to reduce electric bills, to save energy, and to help out the environment."
The town itself intends to participate with "anything that's going to be economically feasible," Maresco said, including the possible use of photovoltaic systems at Town Hall, the sewage-treatment plant, and the town wells.
The town and NStar have been discussing the initiative for seven months, and NStar has been invited to provide information to residents at tables outside the Town Meeting on April 28. An advertising program is planned for next month as well.
The pilot program was developed with the support of the technology collaborative, which is the state's development agency for renewable energy and also works to stimulate the innovation economy.
"MTC is working with NStar to help their customers in Marshfield generate some of their own electricity through solar energy at the same time as they take advantage of all their opportunities to reduce energy use," stated Francis Cummings, policy director of the agency's Renewable Energy Trust. "This is a win-win approach that will benefit everyone by also making NStar's electricity distribution system as efficient as possible."
