Over the past five years, the power industry has evolved at a faster pace because of several simultaneous trends reflecting a broader shift from coal to natural gas and renewables. The changing fuel mix, growth in renewables, and evolution of distributed energy resources are among the key causes catalyzing this transformation. In 2018, most of these trends are expected to continue or accelerate.
The New York Independent System Operator says the deactivation of the Indian Point nuclear plant in 2021 will not affect system reliability if approximately 1,800 MW of gas-fired generation come online as planned. Competition from cheap natural gas and Westinghouse reactor design failure have caused nuclear operators and developers to retire their plants early and cancel new projects. Amid state and federal actions to help nuclear power plants remain operational in the face of financial pressures, it remains to be seen whether advanced technologies bring a resurgence and expansion.
The New York Independent System Operator says the deactivation of the Indian Point nuclear plant in 2021 will not affect system reliability if approximately 1,800 MW of gas-fired generation come online as planned. Competition from cheap natural gas and Westinghouse reactor design failure have caused nuclear operators and developers to retire their plants early and cancel new projects. Amid state and federal actions to help nuclear power plants remain operational in the face of financial pressures, it remains to be seen whether advanced technologies bring a resurgence and expansion.
The New York Independent System Operator has unveiled a proposal for full participation of energy storage in the state's wholesale electricity markets by 2023. The grid operator envisions storage as a vital tool for managing the growing penetration of intermittent and distributed energy resources (DERs). Recently, several other states have turned to storage as a way of solving the intermittency of DERs, delivering more dynamic energy services, and addressing peak demand challenges.
The New York Independent System Operator has unveiled a proposal for full participation of energy storage in the state's wholesale electricity markets by 2023. The grid operator envisions storage as a vital tool for managing the growing penetration of intermittent and distributed energy resources (DERs). Recently, several other states have turned to storage as a way of solving the intermittency of DERs, delivering more dynamic energy services, and addressing peak demand challenges.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas is examining reforms to price formation in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) energy-only market over concerns of low prices. The proceeding stems from a whitepaper on shortcomings caused by subsidized renewables and other factors expected to interfere with investment decisions and undermine market sustainability. The ERCOT proceeding highlights the ongoing national discussion over the role of organized electricity markets in ensuring fuel diversity and system reliability through pricing mechanisms.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas is examining reforms to price formation in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) energy-only market over concerns of low prices. The proceeding stems from a whitepaper on shortcomings caused by subsidized renewables and other factors expected to interfere with investment decisions and undermine market sustainability. ERCOT proceeding highlights the ongoing national discussion over the role of organized electricity markets in ensuring fuel diversity and system reliability through pricing mechanisms.
The Michigan Public Service Commission has finalized a formula to determine the avoided cost that Consumers Energy Co. must pay to buy power from qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978. The new methodology extends the power purchase contract period to up to 20 years, and boosts the capacity of eligible projects to 2 megawatts, up from 100 kilowatts. While current contracts are based on the costs of running a coal plant, new contracts will be based on the energy and capacity costs of natural gas-fueled plants. The ruling, which marks the first update to avoided cost payments in almost 30 years, is expected to increase certainty for distributed energy resources, such as solar.
The Michigan Public Service Commission has finalized a formula to determine the avoided cost that Consumers Energy Co. must pay to buy power from qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978. The new methodology extends the power purchase contract period to up to 20 years, and boosts the capacity of eligible projects to 2 megawatts, up from 100 kilowatts. While current contracts are based on the costs of running a coal plant, new contracts will be based on the energy and capacity costs of natural gas-fueled plants. The ruling, which marks the first update to avoided cost payments in almost 30 years, is expected to increase certainty for distributed energy resources, such as solar.
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board has approved a proposal to reduce power sector carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent between 2020 and 2030. The proposal would link Virginia with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first mandatory cap-and-trade program. The proposal is consistent with RGGI’s recently announced proposed improvements that caused a rebound in allowance prices in the September auction. With member states in agreement over the program's post-2020 path, RGGI is likely in for a boost that could see both price increases in future auctions and additional states joining the group.
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board has approved a proposal to reduce power sector carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent between 2020 and 2030. The proposal would link Virginia with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first mandatory cap-and-trade program. The proposal is consistent with RGGI’s recently announced proposed improvements that caused a rebound in allowance prices in the September auction. With member states in agreement over the program's post-2020 path, RGGI is likely in for a boost that could see both price increases in future auctions and additional states joining the group.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has revised its net metering rules requiring regulated electric utilities to offer a standard tariff to standard service offer customers, while competitive retail electric service providers can offer diverse net metering products and service to shopping customers. The Ohio rule comes after months of review and seeks to address the interests of distributed generation customers, electric utilities, and competitive providers. Importantly, the ruling opens doors to energy marketers, some of which might be able to offer better rates than the utilities.