Smart Grid
Utility resource plans continue to manifest the changing power generation mix as more states pursue zero-carbon goals. The shift drives the need for innovative policy initiatives that optimize renewable energy sources and enhance grid reliability.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), passed by the U.S. Congress on Aug. 12, includes a historic $369 billion investment in energy security and climate change programs over the next ten years.
Grid modernization efforts are increasingly focused on resilience and reliability to protect the system against extreme weather and cyberattacks. Lawmakers and regulators are pursuing reforms to ensure that policies keep pace with the rapidly changing resource mix to facilitate the transformation to a future grid capable of integrating the increasing number of intermittent resources and electric vehicles.
Performance-based regulation (PBR) is gaining momentum across U.S. states driven by policy and technology changes to meet decarbonization goals and changing customer expectations.
A massive investment in transmission infrastructure is necessary to move renewable energy over long distances from where it is produced to where it is needed. These transmission lines, which are so necessary to combat climate change present an inherent wildfire risk exacerbated by drought conditions in the western United States and Canada.
Energy legislation enacted across U.S. states so far in 2022 spans a broad spectrum of topics portraying actions to facilitate the energy transition. These include measures to expand renewables and distributed resources, strengthen climate commitments, optimize grid performance, and sustain the nuclear power fleet. … Read the full report …...
The swift advancement of sophisticated cyber threats alongside the increase in advanced energy system control technologies has called for stronger measures to secure critical infrastructure and energy sector resilience.
Aging infrastructure, a rapidly changing generation profile, and climate change concerns are driving efforts to facilitate a flexible power grid that can absorb higher levels of distributed resources and withstand damaging weather events.
Energy utilities across the U.S. are expanding opportunities for customers to participate in programs designed to reduce their carbon footprint. Green pricing options have been on the rise, encouraging consumers to meet a portion of their electricity needs from renewable energy resources. Carbon offset programs are becoming popular among natural gas utilities, allowing customers to compensate for their combustion-related emissions.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which represents the largest investment in U.S. infrastructure, includes major provisions important to the energy industry, ranging from building out the first national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to modernizing the electric transmission grid and expanding clean energy.
Upgrading and expanding the U.S. electric transmission system is key to enhancing grid reliability and resilience while enabling greater integration of carbon-free resources to meet clean energy goals.
Long-term planning strategies of electric utilities across the U.S. reflect the growing trend towards phasing out coal-fired power generation while embracing renewables. Coal power plants account for 85 percent of electric generating capacity scheduled to retire in the U.S. during 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).