Smart Grid
Since the turn of the century, increased scrutiny has been placed on the U.S. electric grid. The threat of weather disruption, physical and cyber-attacks, and decreased regional power generation capacity due to emissions regulations are key factors framing the debate over how to achieve power security and supply. Overview In 2012, Hurricane Sandy exposed electric…...
On February 5, 2014, The New York Green Bank (NYGB) issued its first solicitation for project funding. With project funding commencing, NYGB aims to create a sustainable stream of private capital to replace intermittent grants and subsidies from state and federal sources, and be the first U.S. Green Bank to target $1 billion in capitalization…....
The New York Independent System Operator has completed a $38M primary power control center to enhance grid monitoring capabilities. On April 15, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) recognized the completion of New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) smart grid and primary power control facility in Rensselaer, New York. The non-profit NYISO – which oversees…...
On January 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission officially entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The MOUs will provide solutions for overlapping jurisdiction and sharing information of mutual interest. Overview On March 5, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced…...
The Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act would create small-denomination treasury bonds to fund clean energy incentives. On April 8, 2014, Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2014, aimed to create treasury savings bonds – modeled after the victory bonds sold during World War II –…...
The solar energy industry is disrupting the traditional one-way power flow utility model. To account for this, utilities and states are working together on creative energy compensation and tariff policies. Overview On March 12, 2014, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the nation’s first statewide value of solar tariff (VOST), a methodology that will…...
On February 19, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its sixth carbon allowance auction. Auction results over the first year show that compliance entities are becoming more comfortable with program and that investor market confidence is growing. Similarly, a secondary allowance market is also developing as market confidence grows. Overview The California Air…...
On March 4, 2014, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) held the first carbon allowance auction under the new Model Rule. Auction prices reached record levels and high market participation and allowance demand exhausted the 5 million allowance Cost Containment Reserve. Overview The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the nation’s first mandatory market-based cap-and-trade…...
The GRID Act, introduced in the House and Senate, would authorize FERC to effectively address electricity grid security issues. On March 26, 2014, Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) introduced the Grid Reliability and Infrastructure Defense (GRID) Act (H.R. 4298) aimed to amend the Federal Power Act to protect the bulk-power system and defense-critical electric infrastructure…...
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…...
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…...
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…...