Advanced Energy Perspectives

Here at AEE, we are riding high following Energy Forward, our annual meeting of corporate members and state and regional partners. We had the advanced energy business braintrust in the room, but advanced energy never stops – not even for our conference! Here’s a selection of recent news from our ever-active member companies.

For those of us who track the advanced energy industry, it’s no surprise that energy storage has been a hot topic of late. Storage has been a huge growth industry, with analysts and advocates alike excited about the prospect of a responsive grid made of “nodes and connections.” Plus, it’s growing by leaps and bounds—we’ll share just how much it’s growing next week, with the release of our Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report. For now, here’s the latest: battery storage using a substance just one atom thick.

Here at Advanced Energy Perspectives, we have known for some time that the utility business model is undergoing a necessary evolution. Utilities have been integrating variable energy resources and starting to incorporate energy storage, advanced metering, demand response, and other advanced energy technologies at an increasing rate, even without national policy forcing their hands. Back in 2014, we said the days of “your grandpa’s utility business model” were over. This week, thanks to a new survey of utility employees, we heard the same thing – right from the horses’ mouths.

There’s no shortage of advanced energy news out of Washington this week. The President’s budget was released Tuesday, featuring a doubling of funding for clean energy research. The Senate took up the first serious attempt at comprehensive energy reform in years, but then put it off for another day. But, on Tuesday, one piece of news dominated the advanced energy news cycle out of Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Court decided to stay the Clean Power Plan (CPP). What does that mean for advanced energy? And what is being said about it in the media?

Though still in its infancy, 2016 is shaping up as a banner year for advanced vehicles. Debuting earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, Chevrolet’s new Bolt promises to change the EV game, with a price tag of roughly $30,000. Not to be outdone, Tesla is teasing its new Model 3, set to launch as early as next month, in the same price range. Game on! But first, there’s this big game: No matter who wins, Super Bowl 50 (no roman numerals, per NFL) will be played in the most advanced energy–powered stadium yet. Prepare to be dazzled – no matter what happens on the field.