Customer Energy Storage Systems

[Paragraph I(intro. par.) effective until January 1, 2027; see also paragraph I(intro. par.) set out below.] I. The commission shall adopt rules or approve tariffs clarifying policy for the installation, interconnection, and use of energy storage systems by customers of utilities, and shall incorporate the following principles into the rules or approved tariffs: [Paragraph I(intro. par.) effective January 1, 2027; see also paragraph I(intro. par.) set out above.] I. The department shall adopt rules clarifying policy for the installation and interconnection of energy storage systems by customers of utilities, while the commission may approve tariffs and issue orders in adjudicated proceedings that are consistent with such rules and pertain to the use of and utility compensation for such energy storage systems. The department and the commission shall incorporate the following principles into the rules and orders, respectively: (a) It is in the public interest to limit barriers to the installation, interconnection, and use of customer-sited, behind-the-meter energy storage systems in New Hampshire. [Paragraph I(b) effective until January 1, 2027; see also paragraph I(b) set out below.] (b) New Hampshire's consumers of electricity have a right to install, interconnect, and use energy storage systems on their property, subject to appropriate size and safety requirements established by the commission, without the burden of unnecessary restrictions or regulations and without unduly discriminatory rates or fees, provided that such storage systems conform to local zoning ordinances and building codes. [Paragraph I(b) effective January 1, 2027; see also paragraph I(b) set out above.] (b) New Hampshire's consumers of electricity have a right to install, interconnect, and use energy storage systems on their property, subject to appropriate size and safety requirements established by the department, without the burden of unnecessary restrictions or regulations and without unduly discriminatory rates or fees, provided that such storage systems conform to local zoning ordinances and building codes. (c) Utility approval processes and any required interconnection reviews of energy storage systems shall be simple, streamlined, and just and reasonable for all parties. (d) The commission may approve mechanisms for a utility to compensate a non-utility for just and reasonable costs, as determined by the commission, of any transmission or distribution charges actually avoided because of a non-utility energy storage project, to the extent practicable, based on determinable cost components. (e) For behind-the-meter storage, the rules or orders shall allow for a bring-your-own-device peak reduction program. The commission may approve mechanisms for a utility to compensate such projects for the value they actually provide including any transmission or distribution costs actually avoided because of the non-utility energy storage project, to the extent practicable based on determinable cost components. [Paragraph II effective until January 1, 2027; see also paragraph II set out below.] II. Nothing in this section alters or supersedes either: (a) The principles of net energy metering under RSA 362-A:9; or (b) Any existing electrical permit requirements or any licensing or certification requirements for installers, manufacturers, or equipment. [Paragraph II effective January 1, 2027; see also paragraph II set out above.] II. Nothing in this section alters or supersedes either: (a) The principles of net energy metering under RSA 362-A:9, except to clarify that the commission has the authority to allow storage as part of the net metering; or (b) Any existing electrical permit requirements or any licensing or certification requirements for installers, manufacturers, or equipment.