Rhode Island hydro net metering plan targets manufacturer savings

Freedom Energy Logistics, Riparian Strategies and Thundermist Hydropower have launched a Rhode Island net metering initiative that links local hydroelectric generation with manufacturers and commercial users. The project is designed to cut electric costs for participating businesses while creating steadier revenue for an existing renewable asset.

Why it matters: - The initiative gives Rhode Island manufacturers and commercial customers a way to lower electric bills without capital upgrades or operational changes. - Thundermist Hydropower gains a more predictable revenue stream, which can support maintenance and future investment in the hydro facility. - The project aims to strengthen Rhode Island’s existing clean energy infrastructure instead of relying only on new generation.

What happened: - Freedom Energy Logistics, Riparian Strategies and Thundermist Hydropower launched a Rhode Island net metering initiative on August 4, 2026. - The program connects locally generated hydroelectric power with Rhode Island manufacturers and commercial energy users. - Participating customers receive net metering credits generated by Thundermist Hydropower that are applied to Rhode Island Energy electric bills. - Participating off-takers receive guaranteed savings for the duration of their agreements.

The details: - Riparian Strategies brought together Freedom Energy Logistics and Thundermist Hydropower to structure the deal around Rhode Island’s net metering program. - Freedom Energy Logistics handles off-taker sourcing, billing administration, credit allocations and regulatory compliance. - Freedom Energy Logistics also manages customer enrollment, reporting and contract management for renewable asset owners in the program. - Bart Fromuth, CEO of Freedom Energy Logistics, said the platform lets hydro operators focus on producing clean energy while Freedom handles billing, compliance and customer service. - Jon Petrillo, president of Riparian Strategies, said the partnership pairs reliable hydroelectric generation with market expertise to benefit the generator, the customer and Rhode Island’s clean energy economy. - The arrangement is intended to preserve and strengthen existing renewable infrastructure while delivering measurable economic benefits to local employers. - The project creates a stable, around-the-clock revenue stream for Thundermist Hydropower from renewable generation.

Between the lines: - The deal is a template for using existing renewable assets more efficiently, which can be faster than building new generation. - The structure shifts commercial and administrative work away from the generator and toward Freedom Energy Logistics, which may make participation easier for smaller renewable operators. - The emphasis on guaranteed savings suggests a low-risk pitch for manufacturers facing energy-cost pressure.

What’s next: - Participating businesses will begin receiving net metering credits as the agreements are executed. - Thundermist Hydropower will use the added revenue certainty to support ongoing operations and maintenance. - Freedom Energy Logistics and Riparian Strategies are positioning the project as a model for other renewable asset owners, energy advisors and commercial customers.

The bottom line: - Rhode Island’s new hydro-linked net metering program tries to do two things at once: reduce power costs for local businesses and keep an existing renewable facility economically viable.