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The large electricity distribution companies in Massachusetts are expected to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to build and manage a data repository of customers for authorized parties once the state regulator approves the effort.

Eversource, National Grid and Unitil submitted an implementation plan on February 18 to the Massachusetts Board of Public Utilities for a jointly-owned platform comprised of advanced metering data.

Testimony by the distributors to the board suggested that the platforms of Eversource, National Grid may be deployed at mid-year, with the timing of Unitil’s platform to be determined.

The companies estimated it will take about two-and-a-half years to fully implement the solution, including nine months for the RFPs.

The first RFP will be for a commercial off-the-shelf solution, and the second will be for a project management consultant to oversee the project.

The one-time cost to build the platform is estimated to range from $2.9 million to $4.3 million.

Within the one-time cost estimate are back-end integrations for the three companies, which each could approach $500,000, the plan said. Platform setup could be as much as $1 million and fees paid for project management may range from $1 million to $1.8 million.

Subsequently, total annual maintenance and licensing would cost $4 million to $5 million.

This includes an annual fee “to ensure integration works seamlessly.” The costs to Eversource and National Grid were estimated as high as $500,000 per year, with Unitil’s cost at less than half of that.

Additionally, a licensing fee for the platform will be based on the number of advanced meters served. The fee covers the customer data layer, the aggregated data layer and the overall shared platform operation.

Based on the expected number of advanced meters at the end of 2025, the costs were forecasted at $1.65 million-$1.875 million for Eversource, $1.575 million-$1.8 million for National Grid and $35,000-$40,000 for Unitil.

General platform support is estimated to cost $200,000 to $250,000 per year.

An administrator would enable third parties to register their intent to access data, make requests to retrieve data, monitor and record requests and responses and facilitate platform management for the distribution companies.

Once third parties are approved, they can submit requests to customers for authorization to access their data.

Supplier and aggregator customer lists will be received from the distributors on a daily basis and provided by the administrator to the authorized supplier or aggregator.

The repository would allow a multi-premise owner who wants data for all properties to register as a third party and select them. Distribution companies said they are not able to provide building level data on a systematic basis.

Specifically, the distributors are concerned that providing building-level data could compromise customer privacy or result in disclosure of commercially valuable information.

The distributors intend to use an application programming interface-based design for the depository. The interface is reusable to allow different systems to exchange information.

Eversource and National Grid already employ UtilityAPI to host and maintain their existing usage sharing platforms, and Unitil plans to go live this quarter with its platform.

Eversource, National Grid and Unitil are using advanced metering infrastructure in response to the state’s 2024 state climate act to develop a plan for the statewide repository to streamline access to customer data.

The distributors are proposing to provide data within 24 to 48 hours to allow validation, estimation and editing to be performed. This quality of data is most likely to align with the data ultimately used for billing.

Customers who have selected a supplier or who participate in municipal aggregation are opted into data sharing by default, but can opt out if they wish.

Communication on data sharing will focus on directing customers to the web sites of distributors, which will create a content page to educate customers on data sharing and opt out rights. Customer permissions will reside at the distributor web site.

Historical data will remain on the platform for up to 24 months, intended to strike a balance between performance, security, cost management and customer consent.

The state legislature expects the technology to improve customer engagement, control costs and accelerate electrification. Data sharing is supposed to help retailers support programs that could reduce consumer costs and assist the state in meeting climate goals.

The repository will use Green Button Connect standards, a protocol established by North American Energy Standards for the authorized sharing of usage data. Green Button Connect avoids the costs of proprietary solutions and is the only recognized standard for usage data sharing.

Information sharing is being discussed in other states.

SmartMeterTexas is operated by the state’s large distributors with oversight provided by state regulators. Hosting maintenance and support cost $5.8 million in 2025.

Multi-utility data sharing platforms have been discussed in Illinois for a decade. In its recently filed multi-year integrated grid plan, ComEd’s estimated investment for a data sharing platform is $71 million for 2028 –2031.

California has many information platforms but lacks full retail choice.