News

Utility Dive covers a panel session exploring ways to improve the planning process for grid modernization. AEE’s senior advisor Malcolm Woolf weighs in. See the full Utility Dive article here:

While utilities are in the best position to define problems with distributed resource integration, the planning process could better involve other stakeholders, Exelon's director of utility innovation, Susan Mora, said on a Wednesday panel about grid mod proceedings and distributed resource integration.

Fredericksburg Freelance-Star published this op-ed by Harrison T. Godfrey, Virginia Advanced Energy Economy’s executive director. See excerpts below and read the entire Freelance-Star commentary about realizing the full benefits of grid modernization here:

LAST month, the State Corporation Commission rejected the majority of the provisions in Dominion Energy’s grid modernization plan, citing “high costs to customers outweigh(ing) … any proven benefits.” In other words, the SCC concluded that much of Dominion’s grid mod filing lacked justification when asking for ratepayers to foot a multi-billion-dollar bill... 

Forbes covers the widespread benefits of electric vehicles, from beyond their owners to utility customers as well, and addresses key regulatory considerations The article references AEE’s webinar, EVs 101: What Regulators Need to Know About Electric Vehicles, which featured a panel of experts including Proterra’s Eric McCarthy, Siemens' Chris King, and AEE's Matt Stanberry. See excerpts below and the entire Forbes story here:

As electric-vehicle sales mount, observers are finding benefits to society—especially to electric ratepayers—that sometimes surpass the benefits to the EV buyers.

"These vehicles use a different kind of fuel and plug into our electricity system, and the good news about that is that there are a number of cost-benefit studies that are showing this can be really beneficial to all rate payers, not just the drivers of the vehicles," said Matt Stanberry, the managing director of the advanced transportation program for the trade group Advanced Energy Economy. 

Law360 looks at the conflict brought about by FERC’s edict that PG&E cannot drop any existing power purchase agreements without FERC's permission after the utility declared bankruptcy. AEE's Jeff Dennis weighs in. See excerpts below and the entire Law360 (for subscribers) story here:

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has touched off a "turf war" with bankruptcy courts by deciding Pacific Gas and Electric Co. can’t ditch any of its $42 billion worth of power purchase agreements without the regulator’s blessing, a fight with major implications for future clean energy development, experts say.

SmartGrid Today highlights AEE's Policy Priorities for an Advanced Energy Future submitted to the 116^th Congress. It includes quotes from AEE’s Dylan Reed. See excerpts below and the entire SmartGrid Today (subscription) story here:

National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) announced Thursday it released policy recommendations to the 116th Congress outlining four key priority areas and specific policy actions to help achieve the broad goals of economic growth, cost savings, and a reliable grid. The group's four key priorities include:

Utility Dive published this piece illuminating the need for an evolution of the utility business model that will support the next century’s needs as powerful trends for a cleaner energy generation takes surge across the nation. This is the first in a six-part series on utility business model reform by Rocky Mountain Institute, America’s Power Plan, and Advanced Energy Economy Institute. Summaries of five case studies are to follow. See excerpts below and read the entire Utility Dive piece here.

It's increasingly likely that conventional fossil-fuel power plants won't comprise the core of our future electricity grid. A growing number of state mandates require a transition to cleaner generation, while utilities are embracing renewable energy as key investment strategies…

GreentechMedia published AEE’s Coley Girouard’s piece spotlighting the top 10 regulatory developments of the past year, giving context on what to watch for in 2019. See the entire Green Tech Media piece here.

In July, we published a list of the top 10 utility regulation trends of 2018 — so far. With 2018 behind us, we check in again on the top public utility commission actions and trends of the past year.

Ten prominent trends and actions stand out above the rest, from renewables continuing their downward price trajectory, to approvals for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to exploration of utility business model reforms and non-wires alternatives, to traditional distribution investments. Here is the full roundup of the top 10 matters before public utility commissions in 2018.

Utility Dive provides insight into how steps taken in Pennsylvania’s widely collaborative new EV initiative may serve as blueprint for other states. AEE perspective is included with comments by Market Development VP Matt Stanberry and reference to AEE’s recently released Regulatory Plan for America's Electric Transportation Future. See excerpts below and read the entire Utility Dive story here:

Vox presents findings from a new Rice University study that shows solar and wind energy resources in Texas complement each other well. The piece dives into what is needed for the state to reimagine its power grid to leverage this power, and includes a reference to a Brattle Report produced for AEE Institute that estimated ERCOT could feasibly integrate 50 percent of renewables. See excerpts below and read the entire Vox story here.