Maria Pope

A new analysis examines the 'Regulatory Gap' between utilities and their regulators, which is cause for them to focus on taking the easy route and building local transmission when it would be much more valuable to build large interstate transmission lines. 🛣️ ⚡ This 'Regulatory Gap' exists in Missouri and is partially driven by PISA legislation, which requires grid investment and allows certain recovery of it. Sadly, these grid improvements still aren't addressing reliability and aging infrastructure issues in the lower income or minority neighborhoods, and a large chunk of investment is being put into more affluent neighborhoods. https://lnkd.in/gQiMgztj

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The California Energy Commission has launched an RFP for "Distributed Energy and Electrification Analysis" using the LF Energy Arras project. The goal of the initiative is "to buildout the state’s electric distribution grid model to support the CEC in assessing various electrification and distributed energy resource (DER) adoption scenarios." Learn more about the RFP and how to submit a proposal at https://hubs.la/Q02TtnTR0 #lfenergy #energy #utilities #arras #energytransition #der #climatetech

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Interregional transmission can provide many benefits -- yet power markets and grid operating practices are not set up to fully capture these benefits. This new report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the DOE Grid Deployment Office lays out the barriers that need to be addressed to realize the full value of existing and new interregional transmission: https://lnkd.in/ekzximcU One of the necessary steps to improve seams-related inefficiencies is "intertie optimization," which we addressed here: https://lnkd.in/ew3QtcpQ and here: https://lnkd.in/dptXMG3t Great work by Christina Simeone, PhD and Amy Rose! #gridmodernization

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The forecast for electricity needs in the Pacific Northwest points to rapid growth and increased demand. While more renewable energy is coming online, the existing transmission system also needs to be expanded. Learn more about the plans for the Northwest power grid at https://lnkd.in/gwM2HTj3

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Distributed Capacity Procurement is like giving utilities a superpower: they can now strategically place distributed energy resources (DERs) where they’re needed to build a more reliable grid. This builds a future where everyone wins: communities get more reliable power, vendors get new market opportunities, and ratepayers see innovation and a cleaner grid. 👷‍♀️👨‍🔧 Plus, with utilities driving this change, we can unlock the true power of solar, batteries, and other DERs at a scale. Get the details: https://hubs.la/Q02TgxBw0

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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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DOE proposes ten “national interest” transmission corridors (my latest for PV Magazine USA) Eight of the ten transmission corridors proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy would facilitate transmission between grid regions; one would expand transmission within the Mid-Atlantic’s #PJM grid region; and one would expand transmission in the Northern Plains.

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Catch the replays of our May webinar, "Back to Compliance: Where Innovation Meets Regulation," and learn from our experts about the value of public transparency dashboards for utilities. Check out this highlight on public transparency dashboards: "It provides a central location for the public, reporters, and anyone interested to find the information they're looking for, making it accessible." Learn more about how public transparency dashboards can benefit your utility, regardless of its size. 💧Register to watch the replays here: https://bit.ly/3J2cof1 #digitalwater #waterquality #LCRR #LCRI #waterpolicy #drinkingwater #GetTheLeadOut

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NERC recommends adding 35,000 MW of interregional transmission capacity as "prudent additions" to address grid resiliency needs! Note that this assessment solely focuses on energy adequacy and the level of assistance likely available from neighboring regions during resiliency challenges, such as winter storms. The study does not, for example, consider: 1️⃣ Resilience support available from regions beyond the immediate neighbors (such as PJM's exports to SPP during winter storm Elliot). 2️⃣ A multi-value perspective that takes into account the added economic and public-policy benefits of interregional transmission, which often justify expanding interregional transmission beyond these NERC results (as DOE's National Transmission Planning Study has most recently shown). NERC report: https://lnkd.in/e_GuKkAk Utility Dive summary: https://lnkd.in/eW3U_E34 North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) #gridmodernization

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For anyone who will be at IEEE Power & Energy Society T&D Conference feel free to stop by our panel session on #EVs and #gridreliability. Will be an interesting cross-sector discussion including technology provider, independent system operator, and utility perspectives among others. E-mobility is driving the blending of Transmission and Distribution system planning, design, and operations. Particularly with the growing prevalence of distributed energy resources, IoT and grid-edge technologies, and virtual power plants (#VPPs).

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Our Executive Director, Larry Gasteiger, discussed the adverse impacts of competitive processes on needed transmission development on a recent NPR podcast The Indicator from Planet Money. Darian Woods: "The list of arguments against competition is long … Larry Gasteiger points to opposing studies showing cost increases from competition, less reliability, delays to development. Timing is a concern with just 26 years to build an insane amount of transmission.” Even Jon Wellinghoff points out that Order 1000 “didn’t turn out the way we expected." Larry recommends "We should stick with what is tried and true, and get transmission built … and meet the needs that we have today rather than try to experiment with new processes that don’t seem to be working." Give a listen: https://lnkd.in/e9_et7d4 Producer: Cooper Katz McKim #transmission #gridofthefuture #cleangrid #gridreliability #gridresilience #grid #Order1000 #FERC #gridexpansion

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The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) released their new report, Collaborative Enhancements to Unlock Interregional Transmission, providing an assessment and solutions to challenges faced by regulators and other energy stakeholders. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eyV-8Q72 #interregionaltransmision #transmissionreform

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Great article by @LisaCohn It's exciting to see V2G technology getting the recognition it deserves. As the report highlights, if we see widespread adoption, electric vehicles capacity alone could meet peak demand by 2035. This is really outstanding!

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How are utilities prioritizing resilience as they face the mounting disruptive threats of the climate crisis? Learn about this and the other trends and issues that industry leaders are talking about in Guidehouse and Public Utilities Fortnightly’s ninth annual report on the State and Future of the Power Industry: https://lnkd.in/eW6qXUtX 

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How are electric utilities responding to the climate crisis? Check out the 2024 Utility Decarbonization index. https://lnkd.in/gPRX229B

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The latest American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy whitepaper examines current approaches to incentivize utilities to adopt energy efficiency policies and outlines opportunities for developing energy code support programs. https://lnkd.in/egizbX6b

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