This bill, titled "Microgrids Docket," aims to establish a microgrid services tariff in Rhode Island. The bill states that Rhode Island residents and businesses are vulnerable to disruptions in the electrical system caused by extreme weather and other constraints. To address this issue, the bill proposes the establishment of microgrids, which are smaller grids with local control capability that can disconnect from the larger electricity grid and operate autonomously. Microgrids can facilitate the integration of renewable energy and other distributed energy resources, provide valuable services to the public utility's electrical grid, and increase energy resiliency in communities.

The bill defines a microgrid project as a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that can connect to a public utility's electrical grid and operate in grid-connected mode or disconnect from the grid and operate in autonomous mode. The bill mandates the public utilities commission to open a proceeding to establish a microgrid services tariff by October 1, 2023. The tariff should provide fair compensation for electricity, electric grid services, and other benefits provided to or by the electric utility, the microgrid operator, and other ratepayers. The bill requests that the commission approve the microgrid tariff by April 1, 2025, and provides a deadline for the commission to report to the general assembly if the original deadline cannot be met. The bill will take effect upon passage.