Request for Proposals: Equity in Grid Services Initiative - Piloting Equitable Access to Dispatchable Distributed Energy Resources and Grid Services

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (“MassCEC”) seeks a qualified consultant or consultant team to lead an initiative focused on increasing equitable access to dispatchable distributed energy resources (“DERs”) and participation in grid services. This work builds on MassCEC’s Grid Services Study and the current Massachusetts’ electric distribution companies (“EDC”)  pilot phase enabled by the Grid Services Compensation Fund (“GSCF”). The work also supports the Commonwealth’s energy access and affordability goals, including the Healey‑Driscoll Administration’s target of 3.5 GW of new load management strategies outlined in the March 2026 Executive Order. The selected consultant will collaborate closely with MassCEC and a partner team which includes Massachusetts EDCs, state entities, and community-based organizations (“CBOs”) (collectively, the “Project Partners”) to:

• Design and implement two community-centered pilots that expand access to dispatchable DERs and ConnectedSolutions+ for renters and low- and moderate-income residents in historically underserved, burdened, or environmental justice communities, launching by Spring/Summer 2027 with a one-year operation.
• Translate learnings into actionable recommendations, best practices, and next steps to inform future programs, pilots, and policy in Massachusetts.
• Advance shared learnings about increasing equitable access to dispatchable DERs and grid services participation across the grid services ecosystem.

The anticipated total budget for this work is approximately $600,000, of which at least $150,000 should be reserved for acquiring and installing the selected dispatchable DERs.