States Rethink Resource Adequacy Constructs

Policy Primer: States Rethink Resource Adequacy Constructs

Several states are rethinking the resource adequacy paradigm as the electric resource mix changes through the addition of more intermittent resources to replace retiring coal-fired capacity and meet state decarbonization goals. Resource adequacy initiatives are intended to ensure that the planned resource mix is sufficient to meet the future system capacity needs and maintain grid reliability.

Washington Governor Unveils Plan for 100 Percent Clean Energy Following Defeat of Carbon Tax Ballot Initiative

Washington Regulators Adopt Rules to Implement 100 Percent Clean Energy Law

The Washington State Department of Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission on Jan 5 adopted rules for the implementation of the 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act. The law requires the state’s electricity supply to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and carbon-free by 2045, and directs electric utilities to phase out coal from their generation portfolio…...

California Regulator Adopts Long-Term Resource Plan Seeking 12 Gigawatts of Renewables, Storage

Oregon Regulator Examines Resource Adequacy Amid Coal Plant Retirements

The Oregon Public Utility Commission opened an investigation into resource adequacy in the state to address the growing concerns over the level of capacity in the region, according to a Jan. 7 notice. Reports and studies from various organizations including Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Energy+Environmental Economics(E3), Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, and the California…...

Year Ahead: Five Must-Watch Power Sector Trends for 2021

Year Ahead: Five Must-Watch Power Sector Trends for 2021

The shift in policy priorities of the incoming administration is expected to accelerate the transformation of the power sector towards clean energy and distributed grid, continuing its trajectory driven by market dynamics, technology, and customer preferences. The strong growth of renewable energy is expected to speed up, particularly with the extension of the federal tax…...

Utilities Are Reshaping Rate Design Strategies

Policy Primer: Utilities Are Reshaping Rate Design Strategies

The growing adoption of clean energy standards, energy efficiency, and customer-sited resources is driving the need for innovative ratemaking principles. Utilities are exploring rate structures that facilitate the integration of variable and distributed generation, and align customer behavior with grid needs. Smart meters are paving the way for time-based and dynamic rate options to balance the grid under the increased penetration of renewable and distributed energy resources, as well as electric vehicles.

Western EIM Benefits Q3 2020

Western Energy Market Cumulative Benefits Exceed $1.1 Billion

The Western Energy Imbalance market generated $119.3 million in savings in the third quarter of this year, the highest quarterly benefits achieved since the market launched in 2014, according to an Oct. 29 press release from the California Independent System Operator Corporation. This brings the cumulative benefits of the real-time energy market to about $1.11…...

ERC Order on PJM Capacity Market Reforms Hinders States’ Plans for Clean Energy Transition

Visual Primer: FERC Order on PJM Capacity Market Reforms Hinders States’ Plans for Clean Energy Transition

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued an order on implementing reforms that expand the minimum offer price rule (MOPR) to most state-subsidized resources participating in the regional capacity market administered by PJM Interconnection LLC, which operates across 13 states and the District of Columbia. The ruling has sparked concerns over its potential to harm renewable generation seeking to participate in the capacity market and frustrate state clean energy policies.

Virginia Regulator Approves $650 Million Grid Transformation Plan for Dominion Energy

New England States Seek Wholesale Power Market Reforms to Support Decarbonization Goals

The governors of five New England states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont – issued a statement on Oct. 14 calling for reforms to the regional wholesale electricity market structure to support their decarbonization efforts. In light of the states’ commitment to reduce emissions by at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by…...

States, Environmental Groups Challenge FERC Order on PJM Capacity Market Rules

FERC Capacity Market Order Suggests Default Service Auctions Could Constitute State Subsidy

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Oct. 15 issued an order on PJM Interconnection LLC’s proposed revisions in response to a December 2019 order that directed the grid operator to expand the minimum offer price rule, or MOPR, effectively raising the bid price for state-subsidized resources to participate in the capacity market. Democratic Commissioner Richard…...

Wholesale Price of Solar Power More Than Double The Price Paid to Other Technologies in 2019: EIA

Wholesale Price of Solar Power More Than Double The Price Paid to Other Technologies in 2019: EIA

In 2019, the weighted average wholesale price of solar PV-generated electricity was $83 per megawatthour, more than double the price of wind, fossil fuels, or nuclear, according to an Oct. 9 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The higher price is partly driven by geography and timing. Wholesale electricity prices rise when demand within…...

Washington Enacts Law Requiring Electric Utilities to Plan for Distributed Energy Future

FERC Opens Wholesale Electricity Markets to Distributed Energy Resources

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 17 approved a long-awaited rule, directing regional grid operators to open their markets to distributed energy resource aggregations. The order removes barriers preventing these resources from competing on a level playing field in the wholesale capacity, energy, and ancillary services markets. The rule requires regional grid operators to…...

Utilities Continue Plans to Accelerate Phase-Out of Coal-Fired Generation

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Utilities Continue Plans to Accelerate Phase-Out of Coal-Fired Generation

Proposals to accelerate the phase-out of coal-fired generation appear more prominently in long-term resource plans of U.S. electric utilities, reflecting the growing shift to renewable energy. The transition from coal continues to be driven by state clean energy mandates, emissions reduction goals, low natural gas prices, and increased availability of low-cost renewables and storage resources.