Advanced Energy Perspectives

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its final 2016 data files (EIA-861), detailing valuable information such as sales, revenues, and utility data for the electricity industry. At AEE, we’ve been digging in. Two of the key trends we have been tracking this year, and that we analyzed first, are advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and time varying rates (TVR), by state. Which are the leaders in smart meters and smart rates? Not who you think.

A successful transition to a 21st Century Electricity System requires careful consideration of a range of issues that will ultimately redefine the regulatory framework and utility business model while creating new opportunities for third-party providers and customers to contribute to the operation of the electricity system. In this first of a seven-part series published by Utility Dive, AEE looks at the transformative impact of advanced metering infrastructure. Commonly defined as an integrated network of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems, AMI has the potential to transform how utilities, customers, and third-party providers manage electricity generation, delivery, and use.

Back in December, we published a list of the top 10 public utility commission actions of 2016. With 2017 halfway elapsed, we check in on the top public utility commission (PUC) actions so far this year. Not surprisingly, the challenges PUCs are grappling with are scattered widely: sweeping changes in rate design, utility business model reforms, grid modernization investments, distribution system planning, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and rates, renewable energy tariffs, and interconnection requests, to name a few. Without further ado, here is a status check of the top 10 matters before PUCs in 2017 so far.

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Distributed energy resources (DERs) are becoming an increasingly important element in the U.S. electricity system, capable of driving us toward a more flexible, reliable, resilient, affordable, and clean grid. However, when any industry goes through a substantial change, there are questions that must be answered. What entities should be allowed to own, operate, and control DERs and DER services? Should a monopoly (i.e., the utility) be allowed to compete against private advanced energy companies given their inherent competitive advantages? In places like Arizona and New York, answers are starting to emerge, but are not yet settled.

In September, we published a post on the top 10 utility commission issues of 2016 so far, but action on utility regulations has continued in the months since. In this year-end post, we look at 10 key actions taken by state public utility commissions (PUCs) in 2016. These actions affected everything from rate design for distributed energy resources to data access to grid modernization. More broadly, they all point the way toward a modern electric power system for the 21st century, even if getting there is by fits and starts.