Smart Grid

NYPA Releases 2014-2019 Strategic Vision

The New York Power Authority has released its updated strategic plan outlining actionable initiatives to attain a transformed energy system. On March 26, 2014, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) released its Strategic Vision 2014-2019, an updated strategic plan aimed to boost economic growth by providing more value to NYPA customers.  Through the plan, NYPA…...

Climate Data Initiative to Facilitate Climate Resilience Tools

The Whitehouse has launched the Climate Data Initiative to expand access to federal climate data resources to strengthen community climate-resilience. On March 19, 2014, the White House launched the Climate Data Initiative to leverage climate-relevant government data resources to stimulate private-sector entrepreneurship and forge cross-sector partnerships for developing innovative climate-resilience tools.  The initiative, part of…...

FERC Order 1000 and the Changing Power Transmission Landscape

The traditional electricity power grid is undergoing a historic shift with the emergence of decentralized power generation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged with overseeing complex state, regional, and local transmission laws and regulatory environments, which can vary significantly. This variance, combined with a more open transmission project market may lead to increased…...

FY 2015 Budget Proposal Highlights Clean Energy and Climate Resilience

The FY 2015 budget plan proposes $27.9B in DOE funding, reiterating President Obama’s commitment to a low-carbon future and energy infrastructure resilience. President Barack Obama’s FY 2015 budget plan released on March 4, 2014 allocates $27.9B for the Department of Energy (DOE), a 2.6 percent increase from the 2014 enacted level.  It reflects DOE reorganization…...

ARPA-E Update: $625M Private Funding Leveraged

To date, the 2009 Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has invested $900M for innovative projects leveraging $625M in private funding. On February 25, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) announced that it has advanced 22 innovative projects over the past five years, leveraging approximately $625M private funding following its…...

New Energy Efficiency Finance Mechanisms Expand Market Opportunities

On January 21, Kilowatt Financial announced $100 million debt facility with Citi to support residential energy efficiency upgrades. One day later, Joule Assets announced a $100 million fund to aggregate energy efficiency and demand response projects for private equity investors. Overview Although creative energy efficiency financing has existed for decades, new mechanisms are emerging to…...

President Obama Orders Quadrennial Energy Review

President Obama has ordered a comprehensive energy strategy review to ensure federal policies continue to address changing energy requirements. On January 9, 2014, President Obama signed a memorandum establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) to enhance the federal government’s capability to provide a comprehensive and integrated energy strategy to meet challenges posed by rising energy…...

2014 NY State of the State: Energy and Climate

Governor Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State agenda includes new clean energy and climate initiatives with a grid resiliency and distributed generation focus. In his State of the State (SOS) address on January 8, 2014, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reaffirmed his commitment to clean energy, proposing significant initiatives to address energy and…...

Largest Rooftop Solar PV System Installed under NY-Sun Initiative

New York State’s largest rooftop solar PV system connects to the Con Edison network through smart grid technology and computer-controlled remote monitoring. On December 9, 2013, NY State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of the state’s largest rooftop solar installation under the NY-Sun initiative.  The 1.56 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system, installed at…...