Eversource Initiates Smart Meter Rollout in Massachusetts, Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview

A statewide grid modernization initiative has commenced in Massachusetts, marked by the installation of the state’s first smart meter by Eversource at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. This event signifies a major milestone in the state’s transition toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future, aligning with global sustainability objectives.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The deployment of smart meter technology is a critical infrastructure upgrade that directly supports the achievement of several key Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: By providing consumers with detailed, real-time data, smart meters empower them to manage and reduce their energy consumption. This enhances energy efficiency (Target 7.3) and supports the broader goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy for all.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project represents a significant technological upgrade to critical energy infrastructure (Target 9.1). The development of a smart grid fosters innovation and builds a resilient foundation necessary for sustainable economic growth and community well-being.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: A modernized and reliable electrical grid is fundamental to creating sustainable cities. This initiative improves urban service delivery and resilience (Target 11.B), making communities safer and more environmentally sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Enhanced energy efficiency and optimized grid management directly contribute to reducing overall energy demand and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. This represents a tangible action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Key Technological and Reliability Enhancements

The smart meter program is designed to deliver significant improvements in both customer experience and grid operations:

1. Enhanced Consumer Control: Customers will have the ability to monitor their energy use closely, enabling them to make informed decisions to increase efficiency and manage costs.
2. Improved Grid Reliability: The meters automatically transmit a signal to Eversource the moment a power outage occurs. This shift from a reactive, customer-reporting model to a proactive detection system allows for a more rapid and efficient deployment of resources to restore power.

Implementation Timeline

The comprehensive rollout of the smart meter program is scheduled to take place over approximately two years. The objective is to have most communities across the state integrated into the new system by 2027.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the installation of smart meters in Massachusetts connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on energy infrastructure, technological innovation, and community services.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article discusses upgrading the energy system to improve “electric reliability” and provide “modern energy services” through smart meter technology. This aligns with the goal of ensuring access to reliable and modern energy for all.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The installation of smart meters represents a significant upgrade to critical infrastructure (the electrical grid). It is an innovative technological solution aimed at creating more resilient and sustainable infrastructure, which is the core of SDG 9.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is being rolled out in the “City of Firsts” and will expand to “most communities” statewide. By improving the reliability of electricity, a fundamental basic service, the initiative contributes to making cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided in the article, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   The article directly addresses this target by highlighting that smart meters will “improve electric reliability.” The system’s ability to instantly detect power outages (“we’ll get a signal the second someone loses power”) is a clear move towards a more reliable and modern energy service, moving beyond dependency on customer reports.

2. Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   This target is supported by the statement that smart meters “will help improve electric reliability by allowing customers to have control over their energy use.” Giving customers access to their usage data empowers them to make informed decisions to reduce consumption and improve their energy efficiency.

3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

   The “statewide rollout” of smart meters is a direct investment in developing more reliable and resilient energy infrastructure. The proactive nature of the new system, which allows Eversource to “be much more proactive and really jump on top of things,” enhances the grid’s resilience to disruptions.

4. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

   Reliable electricity is a critical basic service for modern communities. By improving the stability and management of the power supply for communities across the state, the project helps ensure that this basic service is more dependable for residents.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to track progress:

• Indicator for Target 7.1 (Reliability):

  An implied indicator is the reduction in power outage detection and response time. The article states that with smart meters, Eversource will “get a signal the second someone loses power,” a significant improvement from the current system where they are “largely dependent on them calling us.” This provides a measurable improvement in service reliability.

• Indicator for Target 7.3 (Efficiency):

  A key implied indicator is the level of customer control over energy use. While not a formal UN indicator, the article presents this as a primary benefit. Progress could be measured by tracking changes in energy consumption patterns among customers with smart meters, demonstrating the impact of providing them with control and data.

• Indicator for Target 9.1 (Infrastructure):

  A direct indicator mentioned in the article is the number and coverage of smart meters installed. The article specifies a clear timeline and scope: “The rollout will be approximately two years with most communities seeing smart meters by 2027.” This provides a tangible metric for measuring the upgrade of the infrastructure.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: westernmassnews.com