New England Grid Operator Proposes Market-Based Solution to Energy Security Challenges

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – New England Grid Operator Proposes Market-Based Solution to Energy Security Challenges

coal, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Grid Modernization, Natural Gas, Oil, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Solar, Wholesale Markets, Wholesale Power, Wind

The New England grid operator has proposed a long-term, market-based solution to the region’s energy security problem as the power generation fleet moves towards a mix of energy-limited resources. With the retirement of resources with stored fuel, the system is increasingly reliant on facilities that run on just-in-time natural gas deliveries and weather-dependent wind and solar energy. To address the ensuing challenge, the grid operator proposes to improve the current market structure by creating incentives for the region’s fleet to invest in the energy supply arrangements and technologies on which the region depends.

Illinois Commission Launches Investigation into Value of Distributed Generation

Illinois Commission Launches Investigation into Value of Distributed Generation

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The Illinois Commerce Commission on April 21 opened a proceeding to establish a method for calculating the rebate values for distributed generation within Ameren Illinois Company’ service territory. The Future Energy Jobs Act, which took effect in 2017, directed the commission to start such a process when the total generating capacity of net metering customers…...

State Commissions Examine Costs to Utilities Amid Uncertainty From Economic Effects of COVID-19

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – State Commissions Examine Costs to Utilities Amid Uncertainty From Economic Effects of COVID-19

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

Amid the economic downturn ensuing from the pandemic, state utility regulators are faced with the challenging task of protecting customers from power shutoffs while also considering costs incurred by utilities. A growing number of state commissions are directing utilities to establish a regulatory asset account to capture and track COVID-19-related incremental costs.

100-Megawatt Solar Power Contract

Consumers Energy Wins Michigan Approval for $1 Billion Worth of Solar Power Contracts

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Solar

The Michigan Public Service Commission on April 15 granted Consumers Energy Co.’s request for approval of 31 power purchase agreements for 394 megawatts of solar power. The contracts stem from September 2019 settlement between Consumers Energy and numerous developers of proposed solar projects in the company’s interconnection queue, resolving issues under the Public Utility Regulatory…...

renewables

Virginia Governor Signs Legislation Requiring Transition to Carbon-Free Power by 2050

Carbon Market, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Solar, Wind

Democratic Governor Ralph Northam on April 11 signed into law the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which sets the state on the path to carbon-free power by 2050. The law replaces the voluntary renewable energy portfolio program with a mandatory standard, and paves the way for an enormous expansion of wind and solar power, and energy…...

Unprecedented Challenges Caused by COVID-19

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – How Utility Commissions Are Responding to Unprecedented Challenges Caused by COVID-19

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

The volatile situation created by the COVID-19 spread has prompted state utility commissions to respond with new directives and guidance on a number of proceedings. Regulators have responded with various measures, including suspending service disconnections, transitioning to virtual meetings, and delaying rate cases.

EIA Lowers U.S. Wind, Solar Projections for 2020 Amid COVID-19 Economic Slowdown

EIA Lowers U.S. Wind, Solar Projections for 2020 Amid COVID-19 Economic Slowdown

coal, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Solar, Wind

The U.S. electric power sector will add 19.4 gigawatts of wind capacity and 12.6 gigawatts of utility-scale solar capacity in 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook issued on April 7. These annual wind and solar capacity additions are 5 percent and 10 percent lower, respectively, compared to the previous report. Renewable…...

New Jersey Examines Resource Adequacy Alternatives to Advance Clean Energy Goals

District of Columbia to Procure Renewable Energy for Standard Offer Service Portfolio

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The District of Columbia Public Service Commission approved a pilot program to procure renewable energy through a long-term power purchase contract to supply five percent of the district’s standard offer service, or SOS, procurement portfolio, according to an April 8 press release. The commission directed Potomac Electric Power Company, which administers the SOS program, to…

New York Law Creates Renewable Energy Siting Office to Streamline Permitting for Large-Scale Projects

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New York lawmakers passed legislation as part of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 state budget to establish an Office of Renewable Energy Permitting, which will create a siting process specifically designed for renewable energy projects, according to an April 3 announcement from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The office, the first of…

renewables

DTE Electric Files Revised Renewable Energy Plan With Michigan Regulators

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DTE Electric Company proposed a 225-megawatt wind farm and two solar power purchase contracts of about 125 megawatts in its revised renewable energy plan filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission on March 31. The generation capacity, to be added over the next two years, would enable compliance with the 15 percent of the renewable…