Strategic actions to optimize the distribution grid are imperative to meet the demands of the evolving power sector. Changing policies, climate action, and customer preferences have led to the growth in distributed energy resources and demand-side opportunities, prompting regulators and utilities to explore robust grid planning approaches that accommodate the growth and meet increased demand from electrification.
There is a growing focus on regional collaboration to improve transmission planning and operations as grid operators and states explore strategies to enhance system reliability while transitioning to a lower-carbon grid. Recent actions include a comprehensive action plan to connect offshore wind projects to the electric grid and a multi-state proposal to establish a collaborative on interregional transmission.
The U.S. Energy Department on Sept. 29 announced a $9 million program to enhance state and regional participation in wholesale power markets. The initiative – Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program – is designed to provide technical and financial support for states and regional entities to develop, expand, and improve wholesale markets. Such collaboration…...
In the face of a rapidly evolving energy landscape, federal and state initiatives continue to support the growth and expansion of energy storage solutions. Energy storage plays a key role in… Read the full report …...
As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) awareness sweeps boardrooms around the world, procurement managers are forced to examine the business practices and environmental stewardship of their…Read the full report …...
As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) awareness sweeps boardrooms around the world, procurement managers are forced to examine the business practices and environmental stewardship of their supply chain.
Regulators across the U.S. are advancing grid transformation measures to support the growth in new sources of power generation driven by clean energy commitments. Recent actions include reforms adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address backlogs in the interconnection queue, New York’s grid planning process to identify transmission investments, and Maine’s proceeding examining priorities for utility grid plan filings to assist the transition towards a clean electric grid.
The Illinois Commerce Commission on Aug. 3 opened an inquiry into Ameren Illinois Company’s cost-benefit analysis of its continued membership in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) versus joining PJM Interconnection, which manages the grid in the northern part of the state. The study, released last month, concluded that MISO Zone 4 utilities joining PJM…...
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has invalidated the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of tariff revisions to effectuate the Southeast Energy Exchange Market, or SEEM. The court said that FERC failed to explain how the tariff revisions were consistent with the requirements in its Order 888, which directed utilities…...
Heightened activity around energy storage reflects the growing importance of the technology to meet clean energy goals. Increasing levels of renewable energy, electrification of buildings and transportation, as well as… Read the full report …...
Demand response (DR) is becoming an important tool in utility resource plans to manage demand on the power grid and integrate intermittent energy resources. DR programs allow consumers to play a role in the operation of the grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to time-based rates or other forms of financial incentives.
The ongoing conversation on the role of natural gas utilities in reducing emissions continues as utilities work towards achieving ambitious state decarbonization goals.