Chuck Allen

Great article from Sara Baldwin. Power Demand Reduction (DR) on the consumer side is a critical component to balancing our growing grid power needs. But we must go beyond traditional DR that curtails power and give the customers a means to reduce their own peak power behind-the-meter. Affordable, high-power energy storage is the key.

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Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) introduced a voluntary “Consumer Bill of Rights” framework for States to incorporate into their upcoming Home Energy Rebate programs. The framework outlines 12 key rights for consumers, with the goal of empowering homeowners with clear, transparent information as they navigate energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades for their homes. Our customer engagement solution, WattPlan®, has long enabled state energy agencies, utilities and other organizations to deliver on these ideas. Specifically, WattPlan supports three critical elements of the DOE’s Consumer Bill of Rights framework: Availability of Information, Information on Home Energy Rebates and Energy Bill Impact. If you are an energy professional, or program or product manager at a state, tribal or territorial energy agency, a utility or another organization and you are looking for ways to demonstrate your commitment to educating consumers and even take WattPlan for a spin yourself, you will enjoy this blog. https://lnkd.in/guEQbnq5  

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To receive federal GRIP grants from the DOE, utilities must follow strict rules and create new processes. Utilities need to make sure they have proper policies in place to meet these requirements. Adapting internal systems, training staff, and using new tools are crucial to stay compliant and successful. By using solutions like Adlib’s document automation, utilities can streamline reporting, track progress accurately, and manage compliance documentation efficiently, ensuring successful project execution. https://lnkd.in/gdd2PpBh #DOE #GRIP #grants #compliance #utilities #documentautomation

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Opinion in Utility Dive - Distributed capacity procurement: A new model for utilities to deploy DERs at scale https://lnkd.in/eGjqgEpF

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A new report from Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) includes recommendations for state policies for Grid Enhancing Technologies and other Advanced Transmission Technologies. They see opportunities for state policy to: 1) Direct utilities and relevant state authorities to study GETS and high-performance conductors in state-level planning or permitting processes. 2) Where legally sustainable, provide financial incentives for investments in transmission modernization. 3) Create an environment that encourages the implementation of ATTs, for example by exempting such action from permitting requirements or through setting operational standards in wildfire safety policies. https://lnkd.in/eskTiN6a

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This new report from Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) highlights the pressing need to modernize and expand the U.S. transmission system to meet rising energy demands, with a focus on Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) and Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs). The aging grid is a major bottleneck, with unprecedented congestion delaying the interconnection of new generation and storage projects. At Prisma Photonics, we believe addressing these challenges is more than just a policy discussion - it’s about leveraging real-time insights and finding solutions. While state policies can direct utilities to explore GETs and high-performance conductors, real-time data on grid conditions is equally crucial for maximizing the impact of modernization efforts. Our technology uses existing fiber optic lines to continuously monitor transmission across thousands of miles, helping utilities enhance grid reliability without the delays often caused by traditional upgrades. The grid is the backbone of the energy transition, and innovative solutions like #PrismaPower are key to tackling the challenges of an outdated infrastructure. #EnergyTransition #GridModernization #PrismaPhotonics #AI #GridResilience #TransmissionSolutions #CleanEnergy

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We're having a heatwave in PJM Interconnection - As extreme weather accelerates, PJM needs to fix interconnection and allow new, clean resources to come online. When it comes to adding new electricity sources, the nation’s largest grid operator, which serves 13 states from Illinois to Virginia, is stuck in the mud. Solar, wind and battery projects can’t get connected to the grid, and that poses are severe threat to reliability when extreme heat (or cold) hits. https://lnkd.in/ea3tKpvZ

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Electricity demand in the U.S. is set to surge by 2030 due to advancements in artificial intelligence, expanded chip manufacturing, and the rise of electric vehicles, all amidst efforts to combat climate change. The tech industry's expansion of data centers and adoption of electric vehicles alone are projected to increase electricity demand by 290 terawatt hours by the decade's end. Ensuring adequate power capacity is crucial as it directly impacts major corporations and the broader economy. Addressing this demand with reliable power sources is not only an economic imperative but also essential for national security. Southern expects 80% of this increased demand to be met through renewable energy sources, with nuclear and natural gas playing pivotal roles in ensuring stability alongside wind and solar power. Balancing sustainability with economic growth is paramount for maintaining a thriving economy. Energy security is pivotal to national and economic security, underscoring the need to optimize our energy strategy to sustain growth and innovation. #EnergySecurity #RenewableEnergy #EconomicGrowth https://lnkd.in/gyCXxfNF

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->>>> NSPM in the news! <<<<- To design the cost-effectiveness test for Virginia's energy efficiency landscape under the newly-enacted Savings Achieved Via Efficiency (SAVE) Act -- aimed at improving the transparency and effectiveness of energy-saving programs -- state regulators "will draw on recommendations from the National Standard Practice Manual." Chelsea Harnish: "What’s crucial is that the manual is an objective, technology-neutral reference tool for assessing energy efficiency investments based on eight guiding principles." “ 'Too often, utilities are putting in way more cost than benefit,' Harnish said, adding that stakeholders need to be able to review and comment on the methodologies and results of any cost-benefit analysis." All Southeast states except Tennessee are moving toward tests that incorporate principles from the National Standard Practice Manual, she added. https://lnkd.in/dxNaxZMs

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AEP’s 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report is out!

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Utilities need to take immediate action to improve the resiliency and reliability of the #Electric grid. As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants provide the opportunity to do exactly that. In Itron, Inc.'s newest blog of the #IIJA series, Dan Pfeiffer, vice president of government and regulatory affairs, shares how these funds can help grant recipients sustainably, cost-effectively and timely:

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https://okt.to/tR71B0 Meeting advanced fleet electrification goals requires a significant increase in grid capacity & a shared understanding of how to reach a sustainable & clean energy future. Learn how we can tackle challenges & navigate the funding landscape together. #Power #Utilities #FleetEelctrification #Infrastructure

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Great article from the team at Global Water Intelligence (GWI) discussing the evolution of the North American smart metering industry. As advanced metering infrastructure (#AMI) continues to improve and become more accessible for municipalities of all sizes, forward-thinking utility leaders should be asking themselves "What more can I do with this investment?".

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Smart meter data access -- secure, friction-less, and low-cost -- is critical to smart meter value propositions; former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff explains. https://lnkd.in/gFmTsNni

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Focusing on the physical side of increasing resilience is easy--building things is comfortable for us. Improving resilience through process, systems, and data quality is the way we will achieve true resiliency as an industry. Resilience stands out as a critical concern for policymakers and utility executives alike. While substantial investments are being made to enhance the grid's resilience through infrastructure hardening, the pivotal soft aspects of resilience building often do not receive adequate attention. Processes, systems, and data play a crucial role in bolstering resilience. To achieve the desired outcomes sought by both government entities and customers, a comprehensive industry-specific approach is essential. This approach should encompass a range of capabilities that seamlessly integrate the hard and soft(ware) components of resilience. Excited to discuss this further at EEI TDMMA next week as we delve into how we are assisting partners in leading the industry by focusing on the "soft" skills of resilience! Stay tuned for more thought leadership through an upcoming white paper for detailed insights. #Resilience #Infrastructure #Data #Processes #Systems #Utility #IndustryInsights #GridEmergencyManagement #TDMMA24

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Prices for electricity are skyrocketing in Virginia. A 1,600% increase in the electricity auction prices in just three years! This is largely driven by inadequate generation capacity in VA. Fortunately, VA Power is building a massive offshore wind farm. That will help with the capacity shortage and put downward pressure on electricity prices. Unfortunately, that plant is projected to cost nearly $10 BILLION (that often means $12 to $15 billion in the utility industry.). When that plant goes on line, the construction cost will be added to the rate base and to rates. That will put huge upward pressure on electric rates in VA for decades. The bottom line is that electricity prices are going up in Virginia. Note that the VA Dept of Energy is proposing more natural gas fired generation. In the interest of both capacity and cost, that is probably a good idea.

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