Advanced Energy Perspectives

In August, we published our list of the top 10 utility regulation trends of 2020, so far. With a tumultuous 2020 largely in the rearview mirror, we now look back on the 10 trends that defined the utility regulatory arena this year. It is difficult to overstate the influence COVID has had on virtually every facet of the energy sector – and utilities were no exception. Nor is it possible to ignore the impact that extreme weather events have had on utility planning and operations. On top of that, the outcome of the presidential election promises to shape the federal energy regulatory landscape for years to come. Because of – or  perhaps in spite of – these transformational shifts, advanced energy is well-positioned for continued growth in 2021.

Image by junaidrao, used under a Creative Commons license

This year was a busy one for federal energy policy. That’s not surprising, given a new President with same-party control of the White House and Congress. But the flurry of activity has not been exactly as one might have predicted on January 1. Here are some of the biggest moves in energy made by Congress and the Trump Administration in 2017, as they might have been seen from a galaxy far, far away. (With apologies to George Lucas.)

With another year coming to a close, it is time to take a look in the rearview mirror at the year that was for the advanced energy industry. Our annual review of the top state legislative issues tells a story of policy progress for a myriad of advanced energy technologies, along with some familiar struggles. So, without further ado, here’s our countdown of the top five legislative battles of 2017.

Back in July, Advanced Energy Economy published a list of the top utility regulation trends of 2017 – so far. With 2017 almost in the rearview mirror, we check in on the top public utility commission actions of the year. Not surprisingly, the challenges PUCs are grappling with are wide-ranging and diverse: utility business model reforms, distribution system planning, grid modernization, rate design changes, large investments in renewables, transportation electrification, energy storage, wholesale market changes, and data access, to name a few. Here is a roundup of the top 10 matters before PUCs in 2017.

2016 was a big year for advanced energy, and advanced energy was big in 2016. According to our Advanced Energy Now 2016 Market Report, advanced energy represents a $1.4 trillion global industry, with $200 billion of that in the U.S. – and growing! Last week we brought you Part 1 of our Top 10 news stories, with everything from America’s first offshore wind farm to energy storage’s best year ever. Here’s Part 2!