The smart grid evolution has unleashed opportunities for electric vehicles thanks to technologies that allow them to feed power back into the grid. Utilities and grid regulators are eyeing plug-ins as a flexible resource class helping address the intermittency of renewables and reduce peak power demand.
The net metering policy landscape is reacting to growing customer-sited generation. Facing pressure from utilities about grid use charges to net metering customers, policymakers have started actively seeking alternatives to the policy. Responses vary from new demand charges in Massachusetts and ending net metering in Michigan to New York’s new Value Stack pricing mechanism for distributed generation.
New Jersey lawmakers have passed a suite of sweeping measures to propel the state’s clean energy agenda under Democratic Governor Phil Murphy's administration. The swift turn of events marks a significant shift from his Republican predecessor Chris Christie who withdrew the state from the carbon market and shunned offshore wind.
The Trump administration is seeking new avenues to revive coal and nuclear, such as research to diversify coal use and design new reactors. Although new technologies may slow the downturn of coal and nuclear, hopes of a renaissance remain dim as the industries lose out to cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient resources.
