What Are Non-Wires Solutions?

In order to understand Non-Wires Solutions (NWS), it's helpful to first understand what Traditional Wires Solutions (TWS) are. TWS are the system of traditional wires and poles that have been used by electric utilities since the end of the 19th century to transmit and distribute electricity from production facilities to our customers' homes and businesses.

NWS, on the other hand, represent alternative electrical grid investments designed to defer or avoid the need to build or upgrade components of the distribution system to meet customers’ energy needs. These technologies are commonly known as Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and provide electric capacity where it’s needed. DER include solar panels and small wind turbines, battery and thermal storage, energy efficiency services and demand response programs.

Why Are Non-Wires Solutions Beneficial?

Implementing NWS on the local distribution system creates flexibility and could be cost-effective, reducing the financial burden on our customers while ensuring system reliability. These solutions contribute to a more sustainable and innovative energy future for Connecticut.

Non-Wires Solutions Projects

We are committed to maintaining a sustainable and reliable electric grid to meet future energy demands and are actively supporting Connecticut's decarbonization goals to reduce statewide emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.

Additionally, we are dedicated to achieving the regulatory objectives established by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) for an Equitable Modern Grid. As a result, we’ve implemented a competitive solicitation process to meet identified system planning needs cost-effectively.

Project selection and process

Once a system need is identified by Eversource, a Request for Information or a Request for Proposal may be released. In the case of a Request for Proposal, a winning bidder may be selected based on the results received. Our dedicated NWS team will select the winning proposal(s) based on the following criteria:

• Availability and technical reliability
• Project applicability and viability
• Contractor’s credit and qualifications
• Timeliness
• Customer contribution
• Societal and environmental impacts
• Proposal’s completeness

Once a proposal is selected, the developer is contacted by Eversource and the contracting phase commences. During the contracting phase, the developer must agree to all nondisclosure agreements and cybersecurity requirements before the construction phase begins.

Project opportunities

There are no open NWS solicitations at this time.

Current projects

There are no current NWS projects at this time.

We will add more details as system needs and competitive solicitation efforts arise.

For any questions or inquiries, please email us at  NWS@eversource.com.