The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Oct. 24 established the PowerForward Collaborative, a utility workgroup charged with monitoring marketplace developments to fulfil the objectives of its grid modernization roadmap. The PowerForward roadmap charts a path forward for the state’s grid modernization endeavor, creating a regulatory paradigm to foster innovation that allows for an enhanced experience for customers. The plan envisions the modern grid as an open access platform that facilitates the seamless interface of evolving applications, and contemplates a marketplace that allows customers to access innovative products and services from entities of their choice. The collaborative’s initial areas of focus include issues related to electric vehicles and a process for deploying nonwire alternatives – distributed energy resources to offset expensive wires upgrades. The commission also opened dockets for the collaborative’s sub workgroups – Distribution System Planning Working Group and Data and Modern Grid Workgroup. The collaborative will hold its first meeting on Dec. 6.