Advanced Energy Perspectives

AEE and CEP member companies meet with gubernatorial hopeful Chris Giunchigliani.

This is a guest post from Clean Energy Project, AEE's state partner in Nevada. For more information about AEE's State Coalition, click here. 

Last week, the Clean Energy Project, in conjunction with Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), hosted a series of roundtable discussions with Nevada gubernatorial candidates Chris Giunchigliani, Steve Sisolak, and a representative from Adam Laxalt’s campaign. These meetings provided an opportunity for each campaign to engage with representatives from clean energy companies and learn about the possibilities for Nevada’s energy future. All three guests were keen to hear the importance of clean energy to the state and were very receptive to the economic messages delivered by roundtable participants.

This is a guest post by Suzanne L. Bertin, Executive Director, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, an AEE state partner. To learn more about TAEBA, click here. To learn more about AEE’s nationwide coalition of state and regional partners, click here.

Last week, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved a settlement agreement regarding improvements to the Smart Meter Texas (SMT) portal, with a diverse group of stakeholders, including Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) signing on to the agreement. These changes will make it easier for customers in much of Texas to have advanced energy companies provide services such as energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, and other energy-related software products and services – and fulfill the promise of smart meters, and the granular data they generate.

Chinese container ship unloading at Charleston, S.C. Photo by Mr.TinDC used under a Creative Commons license. 

From his first campaign speech to the first 15 months of his Administration, President Trump has made changing the terms of U.S trade deals a central priority, and in 2018 he has proposed a variety of tariffs. In particular, tariffs on Chinese imports have been one of the major trade policies put forward by the Administration. Most analysts have focused on the tariff impacts on particular products, such as steel and aluminum, or how potential retaliatory tariffs from China could impact American interests, such as agriculture.

Unfortunately, advanced energy will be impacted too. In comments to the U.S. Trade Representative, we outline the impacts of proposed tariffs on advanced energy products such as smart thermostats, electric vehicles, and wind turbine components. AEE believes the Administration is taking important steps to combat unfair trade practices by China, but we are also concerned that imposing tariffs on certain products will hurt the advanced energy industry and consumers, without achieving the administration’s goals.

A successful transition to a 21st Century Electricity System requires 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 fifth in a series published by Utility Dive based on AEE's regulatory issue briefs, AEE explores data access to enable customers to make choices about their energy use with the help of non-utility companies. 

Data is the lifeblood of today’s economy, driving change and stimulating innovation in every industry from banking to healthcare. Although the electricity industry has lagged behind in taking advantage of the many benefits that a data-rich environment can provide, the growing deployment of smart meters is changing that. Smart meters — technically, advanced metering infrastructure — provide granular customer and electricity system data that support innovation and creativity that utilities and advanced energy companies can use to bring the electricity industry into the information age.

As part of our effort to engage candidates for governor in nine states this year on the economic opportunity provided by advanced energy, Advanced Energy Economy released a policy roadmap for Illinois on April 19 and delivered that roadmap to the major party nominees, Republican incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker. Outlining a range of executive, legislative, and regulatory actions that the next governor can take to ensure continued growth of the state’s advanced energy sector, this roadmap shows the way to capitalize on the policy and business foundation already in place in Illinois and build on it, for the benefit of customers and the Illinois economy. Plus, an advertising campaign and website will provide a way for Illinoisans to learn about advanced energy – and sign up as Advanced Energy Voters!