374-H:2 Customer Energy Storage Systems. –
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:
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
Source. 2021, 228:2, Pt. I, Sec. 1, eff. Oct. 25, 2021. 2023, 243:8, eff. Oct. 7, 2023.