The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is scheduled to receive grid architecture status reports from electric distribution utilities as part of the regulator’s PowerForward Collaborative. The utility workgroup is charged with monitoring the marketplace to propel the state along its roadmap of grid modernization, examining issues related to electric vehicles, deployment of non-wires alternatives, integrated distribution planning and data access issues associated with grid modernization.

ISO New England Inc.’s market rules to enable advanced storage technologies to be dispatched and priced in the real-time energy market will take effect. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 25 accepted the grid operator’s market rules that more fully recognizes the technology’s ability to transition rapidly between charging and discharging. The revisions allow batteries and emerging storage technologies to simultaneously participate in the energy, reserves, and regulation markets. READ MORE

The Vermont Public Utility Commission will discuss Green Mountain Power’s 2018 Integrated Resource Plan, in which the utility proposes to focus on transitioning to a highly distributed system while continuing its strategic efforts to electrify transportation, heating, and fossil fuel processes. The 10-year plan underscores the company’s declining electric demand as customers look to install their own systems and utilize improvements in efficiency and appliance standards. READ MORE

The California Independent System Operator Corp. is scheduled to receive comments on its plan to enhance the ability of distributed generation, like rooftop solar, demand response and electric vehicles, to participate in the wholesale market. CAISO considers these resources an increasingly important part of the power supply as the state looks to achieve massive cuts in carbon emissions.

The California Public Utilities Commission will discuss the collection, handling, and reuse or recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle batteries, energy storage batteries, and related equipment. Discussion topics will include current policies and programs and identifying challenges to proper disposal and recycling of end-of-life materials. With the growing number of distributed energy installations and electric vehicles, the issue of end-of-life disposal is set to gain importance.