2025 Event Series: Transitioning to the Future Grid

Transitioning to the Future Grid in MA series graphic

MassCEC / Net Zero Grid / Future Grid Event Series

The “Future Grid” is an electric grid that enables a decarbonized energy system and supports:

  • Massachusetts' 2050 climate goals
  • High levels of reliability, resilience, efficiency and flexibility
  • An equitable energy transition
  • Pathways for innovative solutions

...but how do we get there?

MassCEC, in partnership with Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT), holds the 2025 edition of the Future Grid Event Series. It explores critical electric grid topics, centering conversation around the context of the Commonwealth’s energy future. This year’s Future Grid Event Series features convenings on:

  • Balancing Data Center Energy Use with Climate Goals (May 21 at Foley Hoag): This event explored the future of data centers specifically in Massachusetts, with panels on Understanding Data Center Loads and Defining the Challenge for MA; Emerging Technology Solutions & Opportunities; and Policy & People Perspective. An event report was released in June 2025. See below for more information.
  • An Equitable Distributed Energy Future (June 26 at UMass Lowell): The future electric grid will host large numbers of distributed energy resources (DERs), of all sizes. The arrival of DERs means that generation and response can now come from the load side of the system – this requires us to navigate a big change in how the grid works. DERs also deliver an opportunity to create an equitable future energy system: one that is resilient, that generates local, distributed wealth, and that contributes to energy affordability.
    As we approach the changes to the energy system caused by DERs, how do we ensure that equity is one of the pillars we lay today for DERs and the grid? How do we ensure access to and benefits from DERs and the grid for historically disadvantaged communities?
    This half-day event explored two key building blocks for an equitable electric grid in Massachusetts:
    1. Emerging DER ownership models.
    2. How the utilities and our grid can create the foundation needed for the coupled objectives of community empowerment, affordability, and resiliency.
    An event report was released in August 2025. See below for more information.
  • Power at the Grid Edge (October 3 at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston): This event will explore where the grid edge in Massachusetts is today and the vision for how grid edge flexibility will shape the Commonwealth’s energy future. We will discuss how the State and utilities are planning for grid edge flexibility, the emerging technologies needed, and how to support the evolving role of the customer equitably.

This event series provides a unique opportunity for a diverse group of individuals to come together and collaborate on issues related to the power grid. Each event convenes public and private sector stakeholders from across the Massachusetts energy ecosystem, including:

  • Utility regulators
  • Advocacy groups
  • Utilities -- both investor-owned and municipal
  • Grid technology providers and entrepreneurs
  • Community-based organizations and municipal leaders
  • Academic institutions

The series features the exploration of how the transition will impact certain communities, emerging technology and innovation solutions, and navigating the path forward. Each event features both informational presentations and panels of experts, and opportunities for building new cross-sector relationships and developing ideas in small-group stakeholder dialogue.

Event 3: Power at the Grid Edge

October 3, 2025, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

The Role of Grid Edge Flexibility in Massachusetts 

  • Staci Rubin, Commissioner MA DPU 
  • Elizabeth Mahony, Commissioner MA DOER

Panel 1: The Massachusetts State Approach to Load Flexibility

  • Moderator: Larry Chretien 
  • Charles Dawson, MA DOER 
  • Liz Mettetal, E3
  • Tilak Subrahmanian, Eversource

Visioning Session: What Does the Future Relationship Between the Grid and the Customer Look Like? 

  • Corrin Moss, MassCEC 
  • Maya Mastro, MassCEC

Panel 2: Where the Grid Meets the Customer – Evolution of AMI

  • Moderator: Carlos Nouel, EY 
  • Mike Phillips, Sense 
  • Matt Bloom, Landis + Gyr
  • John Franklin, National Grid

Case Study: Examples of Grid Edge Technology in Action

  • Moderator: Sarah Cullinan, MassCEC
  • Matt Wapples, KrakenFlex
  • Ben Myers, BXP
  • Mike DiRico, SPAN
  • Michael Rigney, Cala Systems
  • Jared Lebos, Noble Carbon
  • Brian Seal, EPRI
  • James McRoy, Eaton
  • Chris Ewings, Stepwise

Suggested and optional pre-readings

Brief Explainer: 

Panel 1: MA State's Approach to Flexibility 

Panel 2: AMI 2.0 

Event 2: The Role of DERs in Transitioning to an Equitable Electric Grid

June 26, 2025, UMass Lowell

Table Activity: Visions for the Future Grid

  • Alison Magoon, MassCEC
  • Mary Wambui, POUA

Panel 1: Emerging Models of DER Ownership & Challenges to Development

  • Moderator: Stephen Bird, UNH
  • Todd Olinsky-Paul, Clean Energy States Alliance
  • Dr. Erin Baker, UMass Amherst
  • Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez, Boston Community Solar Cooperative and Working Tree

Fireside Chat: The Grid as a Platform for Equity

  • Moderator: Sarah Cullinan, MassCEC
  • Dan Cross-Call, Current Energy Group
  • Marc Lucas, National Grid
  • Lavelle Freeman, Eversource

Suggested and optional pre-readings

Panel 1:

Fireside Chat:

Post-Event Materials

Event 1: Balancing Data Center Energy Use & Climate Goals

May 21, 2025, Foley Hoag Seaport Office

Panel 1: Understanding Data Center Loads & Defining the Challenge for MA

  • Moderator: Alistair Pim, ACT
  • Christine Stevens, National Grid
  • Patrick Donovan, Schneider Electric
  • Tory Clark, E3
  • Mike Jacobs, UCS

Vision: Audience Perspectives on the Future Role of Data Centers in MA

  • Alison Magoon, MassCEC

Panel 2: Emerging Technology Solutions & Opportunities

  • Moderator: Mark Barnett, Foley Hoag
  • Scott Clavenna, Latitude Media
  • Ayse Coskun, Boston University
  • Tyler Norris, Duke University
  • Arin Kaye, EPRI
  • David Arsenault, Skeleton Technologies

Perspective: MA EEA Perspective on Data Centers

  • Josh Ryor, MA EEA

Panel 3: Policy & People Perspective

  • Moderator: Galen Nelson, MassCEC
  • Aaron Lang, Foley Hoag
  • Francesca Dominici, Harvard School of Public Health
  • Ashley Gagnon, MA EEA
  • Josh Ryor, MA EEA

Post-Event Materials

MassCEC / Net Zero Grid / Future Grid Event Series