Advanced Energy Perspectives

On this Earth Day, all eyes in Washington, D.C., are watching for news about U.S. climate commitments, but we turn our attention to new developments in the advanced energy industry, whose technologies and services can help fulfill those commitments while providing customer savings, economic growth, and jobs at the same time. And there is news aplenty – in solar power, energy storage, offshore wind, and electric transportation, to name a few. Let’s go to the clips.

Here at AEE, we are dedicated to advancing policies that expand market opportunities for advanced energy technologies around the nation. Central to that mission is helping state legislators learn about the latest advanced energy developments and policy needs within their states. On April 5, we hosted a virtual meeting attended by approximately 30 legislators and staff members from the Illinois General Assembly. AEE’s Daniel Bloom was joined by industry leaders from Apex Clean Energy, Borrego, CPower, EVgo, Rivian, and Schneider Electric to discuss how advanced energy resources can grow and transform the Illinois economy, and what policies are needed to achieve that end.

As President Biden hit his 50-day mark in office, his administration remains committed to keeping campaign promises to stimulate economic growth through development of clean energy sources that address the challenge of climate change. With new leadership appointed by Biden, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is taking a fresh look at the relationship between states and regional wholesale markets. And the Democratic majority in Congress is gearing up for a recovery and infrastructure package that could stimulate investment in advanced energy resources on a large scale. All this adds up to a new day in Washington, D.C., for the advanced energy industry. What that new day looks like was the subject of a recent webinar featuring AEE policy experts and speakers representing advanced energy developers and buyers.

The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) released its 2021 “SustainableEnergy in America Factbook” on February 18, providing an overview of U.S. energy market trends with a focus on sustainable energy. Amid a year of uncertainties from COVID-19, the Factbook demonstrates notable resilience in what it considers the sustainable energy sector. Although many market shifts will prove transient as global circumstances gradually return to normal, some industry changes are expected to have lasting impact. Here are the key Factbook takeaways: