Allen Schaeffer

The ongoing feud between Connecticut utilities and their regulators has spilled over into the state’s efforts to implement performance-based regulation (PBR) for its electric utilities. PBR essentially covers to efforts to better align the profit incentives for utilities, which have regulated monopolies, with state policy goals. PBR mechanisms can be used to better-incentivize affordability, resilience, distributed energy deployment, and electrification. I spoke with a whole bunch of people about what the fight in Connecticut could mean for the state's clean energy transition, and whether it will influence PBR in other states. While the utilities are concerned that they will not be able to recover a reasonable rate of return on their investments in the new proposed framework, consumer and environmental advocates have argued that these concerns are overblown. Read the full story here at RTO Insider LLC https://lnkd.in/eYgeCEWN

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In the final installment we hear from Electric Power Supply Association members who are leaning in to address the growing issues. Thanks to Thad Hill of Calpine, Curt Morgan of Alpha Generation, and Marji Philips of LS Power for sharing their specific insights. We hope you found this series informative and triggered questions and ideas about how we address these emerging and evolving issues. #reliability #power #innovation #energy

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Key take-away: “The rule will place significant restrictions on new natural gas power plants at a time when reliability experts including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and nearly all of the grid operators, are flashing warning signs about the loss of dispatchable capacity during a time of surging electric demand. The almost certain result will be higher prices, diminished reliability, and even increased emissions, by stymying investment in new, highly efficient natural gas facilities to displace older, higher emitting, and/or more expensive resources.”

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"With every passing year, status quo spending on natural gas pipelines does nothing to fight sky-high gas bills for Marylanders and openly contradicts the state’s climate goals," writes Shawn Kelly of Advanced Energy United in a new The Baltimore Sun op-ed today. As Marylanders switch from gas to electric, it would be financially irresponsible to continue making major investments in the gas system. Check out Shawn's article here on some of the solutions we're proposing, and what customers can do about it ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ebh3GgFs

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Excellent article by Brad Plumer on the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act and DOE's Loan Guarantee program in building a US supply chain for energy and industrial technologies and products used by all Americans. Not in the article: the US remains a dominant global supplier of oil, natural gas and refined products. Yet the US struggles to produce a very basic level of electricity products needed by hundreds of millions of Americans that we currently depend on Chinese companies for, such as solar panels, batteries and battery-powered products. Americans support making these products in America. It's about jobs and energy security. #Americanjobs #energysecurity #electrification #AI #renewableenergy

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Grid analysts challenge Bonneville Power’s pace in adopting advanced conductors--my latest for PV Magazine USA. As the White House encourages utilities to use advanced conductors to help interconnect new renewable generation, the federally-owned utility Bonneville Power is moving slowly to use the high-capacity conductors, analysts said. Mike O'Boyle, Casey Baker, Michelle Solomon #AdvancedConductors

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Achieve your sustainability targets without breaking the bank. We provide free CRISI grant support assistance with locomotive purchases. With an 80% grant offset, this is the estimated out-of-pocket expense to your railroad: 🚂 1000 hp RNG, Battery-Electric, or Hydrogen Total-Zero™ Switcher Locomotive starts at $300,000 (full price is $1.5M). 🚂 3000 hp RNG or Hydrogen Total-Zero™ Road Switcher Locomotive starts at $600,000 (full price is $2.5M). 🚂 5600 hp RNG Total-Zero™ Line Haul Locomotive starts at $1,100,000 (full price is $5.5M). The CRISI deadline is approaching fast, so contact us today to get started. https://lnkd.in/eiRxNk9P Deadline: May 28, 2024 #optifuelsystems #optifuel #totalzero #CRISIgrant #grantassistance #renewablenaturalgas #rng #modularengineering #switcherlocomotives #switchers #shortline #rail #railtransport #revolutionizingrail #fleettransitions #cummins #greentechnology #turnkeyrefueling #zeroemissions #futureoffuel #greentechnology #futureofrail #nextgenrail #hydrogen #batteryelectric #flexiblefuel #reinspirerail

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The energy transition will require signficant build out of electric network infrastructure to accomodate projected demand growth, but we owe it to our customers to maximize the capacity and efficiency of the grid we've all invested in, LineVision's DLR and other technologies are helping us do just that. #energytransition #cleanenergy #innovation #climatech

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The energy tax credits of the Inflation Reduction Act are delivering a massive economic boost and 4x return on investment, finds a new ICF analysis released today by the American Clean Power Association (ACP), supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Edison Electric Institute, National Hydropower Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eEpGYGRU

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has gone public with its official framework for vehicle-to-grid integration. In our last post, we outlined four of the five pillars that will hold up this new plan. > https://lnkd.in/e2ruBkZb But it’s the final pillar that we’re most excited about.   That’s because it’s all about the #customer. This is what counts for the average EV owner, because it’s the part of VGI they’ll be dealing with every day.   According to the DOE, consumers need a choice of charging options, providers and rates — and all those options should be clear and accessible. They need to be able to decide how to interface with the grid so they can make the most money in a way that is convenient to them. That compensation needs to be commensurate with value provided to the grid.   And above all, things should be simple and straightforward. “Implementation complexity is invisible to customers and reduces the participation burden,” notes the report. “Technology eases the customer’s ability to respond to dynamic rates or signals that optimize charging or discharging based on grid or market conditions. Customer set preferences ensure that EV drivers do not need to continually manage and respond to signals themselves.” What are your thoughts on the DOE's #VGI roadmap?

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Link to this week's Trending in Propane https://conta.cc/4e28EY0 #propane #lpg #lpgas #cleanenergy #cleanfuel #energyforeveryone #npga #perc #cleancities

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New at Microgrid Knowledge: #Tribal #microgrids addressing clean energy needs. Lisa Cohn Follow Microgrid Knowledge for all things on-site power, DERs and virtual power plants... https://lnkd.in/g5xmfawS

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For anyone who hasn't been paying attention to PJM lately - just a few years ago it was roughly a 1/3 coal, 1/3 nuclear and 1/3 gas with a small percentage of renewables rounding off the whole. Granted, the numbers vary day-to-day with load based on multiple factors - but the numbers are pretty instructive: Today: - Natural Gas: 35,219 MW - Nuclear: 28,397 MW - Wind: 8,349 MW - Coal: 7,789 MW

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🌊 What would it take to weave equity principles within state offshore wind programs and policies? How can states build an engagement process between states and communities for offshore wind planning and development that prioritizes shared decision-making, co-design and co-implementation of solutions, shared benefits across all parties and investments in communities? 💚 Our CESA-hosted group of state agencies and community-based organizations has been working together on this topic for several years, first developing a scoping dialogue, building up to a workshop next week, and gearing up for a working group starting in the fall. 📣 We still have a few open spots for additional CBOs!! We value and compensate CBOs' participation. ⚠ This is open ONLY to states and environmental justice or energy justice organizations that represent the communities in which they are located and hail from across the country. 👉 Read the description below and contact Sam Schacht at [email protected] if you would like to learn more and participate! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/ej5HpVNv

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To improve renewable energy siting, the U.S. Department of Energy seeks permitting experts to provide technical assistance to state siting collaboratives. DOE expects to fund each collaborative, and to support additional collaboratives in other states. #Renewables #Siting #Permitting

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Exciting developments are underway in Maryland, with the state taking the lead as the first to enact vehicle-to-grid (V2G) legislation. This landmark move includes the introduction of virtual power plant (VPP) tariffs, which will encourage the adoption of distributed energy resources such as home solar PV, smart thermostats, and other energy storage solutions. This is a significant step forward for the clean transition and will greatly contribute to building a resilient grid. “Harnessing distributed solar and storage systems and using their collective energy will relieve strain on the grid, add resiliency, and expand access to low-cost clean energy for residents across Maryland,” explained Leah Meredith, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) mid-Atlantic senior manager. Solutions like Nostomo’s IceBrick were designed for VPPs, making it possible to decarbonize buildings while slashing energy costs and balancing the grid. It’s an important time for VPPs, and news like this makes it clear that these energy resources play a key role in the energy transition. https://lnkd.in/gD-W4E8t #CoolingGlobalWarming #EnergyStorage #TES #renewables #VPPs #EnergyTransition

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