Advanced Energy United Reports

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.  

Publish Date: February 26, 2024; Updated: March 7, 2024

Currently, over one million megawatts of generator and storage projects are actively seeking to connect to the U.S. transmission grid. The various grid interconnection processes across the nation have been slow and received criticism from a wide range of stakeholders for being dysfunctional. The 2024 Advanced Energy United Generator Interconnection Scorecard evaluates the outcomes and processes of the generator interconnection process across the seven U.S. regional grid operators (the RTOs/ISOs), finding some bright spots and room for significant improvement.

Publish Date: February 5, 2024

Dive into Advanced Energy United’s easy-to-use explainer, a guide to how advanced energy technologies can improve resilience and reliability on the distribution grid.

From hurricanes to wildfires and heat waves to cold snaps, more frequent and pervasive extreme weather is testing the resilience and reliability of America’s electric grid, impacting critical infrastructure, and imperiling lives. At the same time, rising demand for electricity, from fast growing segments of the economy and the electrification of buildings and transportation, is placing new demands upon the grid. 

Publish Date: February 1, 2024

Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) require electricity suppliers to include specified percentages of renewable energy and several alternative energy production technologies in their supply mix, creating a market mechanism to increase demand for those energy resources—but the law’s requirements plateaued in 2021.

A new report written by Gabel Associates and released by Advanced Energy United, MAREC Action, and the American Clean Power Association found that more than $13.1 billion could be invested in Pennsylvania over the next seven years and 129,000 jobs could be created if policymakers increase the AEPS to require 30% renewable generation by 2030.