Advanced Energy United Reports

Publish Date: November 21, 2024

The process known as “generator interconnection” is invariably flawed across the U.S., causing significant and costly delays to adding new energy resources to the power grid. Regulators and energy developers alike are looking for efficiencies that can accelerate deployment of energy projects. Doing so is necessary to ensure energy system reliability, foster marketplace competition, meet future load growth, and create the broad economic benefits associated with meeting all those challenges.

Publish Date: October 24, 2024

In 2023, advanced energy employment nationwide increased by 4%, more than double the growth rate of the overall U.S. labor market. Advanced energy jobs surged from 2022 to 2023, with 4.1 million U.S. workers now working in the sector. Some of these gains were driven by the early impact of tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Publish Date: September 23, 2024

Publish Date: September 16, 2024

Historically, because transmission and distributed energy resources (DERs) exist on opposite ends of the electricity system, the two resources have often been planned, developed, and operated in silos. Conversations on the interplay between transmission and DERs often focus on these resources as substitutes for each other, rather than acknowledging the ways they can work in concert to achieve clean energy goals. However, as the clean energy revolution accelerates, the need for an integrated approach to energy infrastructure has never been more urgent.  

Publish Date: August 27, 2024

The “Generator Interconnection” process has taken center stage in energy policy debates in recent years, emerging as a key barrier to bringing new, cost-effective resources online to meet growing demand, maintain reliability, and ensure affordable electricity for customers. Last year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released Order No. 2023, directing transmission providers to improve their interconnection processes, primarily by instituting a first-ready first-served cluster study process, increased readiness requirements for interconnection projects, and firm deadlines for study completion. Though Order No. 2023 set a critical foundation, more can be done to make the interconnection process as efficient and expedited as possible.

Publish Date: July 23, 2024

Resource planning is becoming more complex for Nevada utilities. Growing electricity demand is putting pressure on Nevada’s grid. New variable renewable energy is changing how the grid operates. Increasingly frequent extreme weather threatens the safety and performance of electric infrastructure. Nevada needs low-cost, flexible solutions to help manage the grid and maintain reliability in the face of these pressures.

Publish Date: July 1, 2024

This document outlines key policy principles that decisionmakers and stakeholders should consider when reforming state policy frameworks that govern the siting and permitting processes of large scale renewable and energy storage projects.

Publish Date: June 11, 2024

The regulated gas distribution network is undergoing significant transformation due to a combination of market and policy forces. Increasingly, cost-competitive electric heating solutions are leading to decreased gas throughputs in many jurisdictions — a trend expected to accelerate as federal incentives for heating electrification and ambitious state and local climate goals take effect.  

Publish Date: May 6, 2024

Large-scale Medium- and Heavy-Duty vehicle (MHDV) electrification has the potential to put downward pressure on electric utility rates, provide valuable grid services, save money for fleet owners, and reduce pollution and GHG emissions. Preparing our electric grid and building the electrical capacity to power our transportation sector will be one of the largest logistical and public policy challenges over the next decade and one of the most valuable infrastructure investments we’ve made in generations. 

Publish Date: May 1, 2024

Buildings account for about a fifth of the state’s emissions and the vast majority of buildings in Illinois burn fossil fuels for various appliances. Over 60% of natural gas burned in Illinois happens in buildings, primarily for heating. Therefore, building electrification is a crucial component of Illinois’ clean energy and climate strategy.