Smart Grid

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Ohio Grid Modernization Initiative Focuses on Customer Electricity Experience

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has announced a comprehensive review of technological and regulatory innovation to advance grid modernization. With continued growth in distributed energy resources and demand-side opportunities, the power industry faces the challenge of transitioning to a modern grid that addresses the demands of the evolving electric sector. Among other states where utility commissions have taken measures to address grid modernization, New York and California have garnered nationwide attention, setting the pace with significant progress towards necessary enhancements.

California Energy Imbalance Market Reports Increased Benefits with Growing Market Participation

EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has reported that total benefits from the western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), the ISO’s enhanced real-time market launched in November 2014, reached $114.35 million. Following the success of the EIM and pursuant to the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015, California is investigating connecting grid operators across the West to share resources more efficiently.

This content requires that you purchase additional access. The price is $99.00.

Click here to checkout

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – California Energy Imbalance Market Reports Increased Benefits with Growing Market Participation

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has reported that total benefits from the western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), the ISO’s enhanced real-time market launched in November 2014, reached $114.35 million. Following the success of the EIM and pursuant to the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015, California is investigating connecting grid operators across the West to share resources more efficiently.

CAISO Advances Reactive Power Requirements for Renewable Generation

EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board of Governors has approved reactive power requirements for non-synchronous generators, such as solar PV, wind, and battery storage, in order to maintain grid reliability. The requirements will increase the scope and diversity of energy resources participating in CAISO markets.

This content requires that you purchase additional access. The price is $99.00.

Click here to checkout

Enerknol’s Visual Primer – CAISO Advances Reactive Power Requirements for Renewable Generation

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board of Governors has approved reactive power requirements for non-synchronous generators, such as solar PV, wind, and battery storage, in order to maintain grid reliability. The requirements will increase the scope and diversity of energy resources participating in CAISO markets.

Massachusetts Energy Bill Boosts Prospects for Offshore Wind and Energy Storage

EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

Massachusetts H. 4568 (An Act to promote energy diversity) will shape the state’s energy future with an ambitious offshore wind energy target and lead to energy storage procurement targets with opportunities for utilities to own energy storage. The policy will likely provide a much-needed impetus for the U.S. offshore wind industry and also help other industries, such as solar companies that offer solar-plus-storage products.

This content requires that you purchase additional access. The price is $99.00.

Click here to checkout

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Electricity Markets

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

As the one-way electric grid evolves into an intelligent, two-way platform, ISOs and RTOs are tasked with balancing the impacts of the changing energy landscape together with public policy actions set at both federal and state levels. While ISOs can employ innovative market designs that can help state policies achieve their goals, challenges arise when policymakers impose conditions on the markets that cannot be priced. These challenges are further amplified when policymakers within a single market footprint take different actions that potentially contradict each other. EnerKnol’s Primer on Electricity Markets highlights these major driving changes in the wholesale markets, and more.

New York Green Bank Highlights Role of Innovation in Solar Financing

EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

On May 12, 2016, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced several new NY Green Bank transactions to fund solar installations and energy efficiency initiatives. With its evolving Green Bank, New York now joins Connecticut, which established first U.S. Green Bank, in leading the way to facilitate low-cost financing for clean energy by leveraging private capital. The success of Connecticut and New York’s green banks shows that public-private partnerships can outshine direct subsidies to clean energy and efficiency projects. As long as funding streams are available, green banks can amplify the impact of private investments and open additional sources of funds.

New York Adopts New Revenue Model for Electric Utilities under REV

EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

On May 19, 2016, the New York State Public Service Commission (NY PSC) issued an order adopting a framework for a ratemaking and utility revenue model under the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative (Case 14-M-0101). The Order is a major step forward in providing a framework for utilities to generate revenue as distributed system platform (DSP) providers under REV. Utilities will be required to develop retail markets for DER, such as solar, geothermal, wind, fuel cells, combined heat and power, battery storage, energy efficiency, and other advanced energy services.

State Legislatures Seek to Support Struggling Coal and Nuclear Plants

EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

Illinois HB 6576 (Energy and Environmental Security Act), introduced on May 10, aims to support the hard-hit coal industry in the state by incentivizing clean coal generation. In a similar vein, the Next Generation Energy Plan, a comprehensive energy policy unveiled on May 5, includes provisions to support Exelon’s ailing nuclear power plants in Illinois. The implications from the Illinois bills --trying to influence market outcomes through out-of-market means -- will not only be relevant to coal and nuclear power in the state, but also for the debate over out-of-market versus market-based policy options in other RTOs and ISOs