Idaho Falls Power’s Post

#AEGChicago: The Advanced Energy Group 23Q3 Grid Modernization task force is proud to share the outcome of our years-long initiative to map the worst-performing circuits in the Chicagoland area. After looking at 5 years of reliability reporting data, we were able to identify 90 worst performing circuits with yearly service interruptions. We can share a map of 44 of these circuits based on the publically available location data, which you can find in the story map below. Worst-performing circuits and environmental justice communities story map/task force report: https://lnkd.in/gzXbaeVu Crucially, ALL of these 44 circuits fall inside Environmental Justice (EJ)/Equity Investment Eligible Communities. This underscores that the problems affecting our grid disproportionally impact disadvantaged communities. Based on this map, our task force is having ongoing conversations on improving these specific circuits while ensuring that these neighborhoods receive the support they need. This will culminate in an in-person meeting with key stakeholders in a few weeks. Information for our August 8th Grid Modernization stakeholder event: https://lnkd.in/gSRn4wFH As we learned from our work in North Lawndale (see story map below), we have to start by getting communities engaged. Many of these communities lack the technical workforce required to improve these circuits. We must empower these neighborhoods with targeted workforce development programs to get them much-needed jobs and expertise to begin solving these problems. Energy justice in the North Lawndale Community Story Map (90-day sprint): https://lnkd.in/gsQ6sjeT Resource page with further information on the task force: https://lnkd.in/gH4cF8ZB Special thanks to all the task force members: - Liang Downey, MBA, MEng Downey, Microsoft - Hala Ballouz, Electric Power Engineers - Jessica M. , Electric Power Engineers - Mark Petri, Argonne National Laboratory - Jonathan McGee, MBA, Baker Tilly - Joshua Davis, The Will Group - Tom Dawlidowicz, Illinois Medical District - Oladipupo Ogunnubi, ComEd - Maisha Earl, ComEd - Chris Townsend, CJT Energy Law, LLC (ICC) - Lynn Sutton, Kairos Worldwide - Meredith VanKampen Krantz, Krantz Strategies - Grant McEachran, S&C Electric Company - Chris Watts, S&C Electric Company - Dan Desmond, S&C Electric Company - Matt Rundquist, University of Illinois Chicago - Mark Nakayama, 11 Million Acres - Antonio M. Lopez Krulas, Advanced Energy United - Nick Posawatz, DNV - Pete Kelly, Redtree Engineering - Renée A. Skeete, PhD, Argonne National Laboratory And our AEG Chicago Team: H.G. Chissell Jessica Lang Jack Jordan Matt Sweers Jakob Reinke Michael Thuis (Lead AEG fellow on this project)

Consumers may be getting a survey from PUCTX to study the costs from power interruptions. Your opinion matters! The results of this study help shape future energy policies in Texas. Read the FAQs here: https://lnkd.in/gVmhDQJb

Maine has joined forces with 10 Northeast states in a landmark initiative to enhance electricity transmission and grid reliability. The Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission is the first effort of its kind, aimed at creating a stronger, more efficient grid and accelerating the clean energy transition. With Maine, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU), this collaboration promises to revolutionize regional transmission planning. By stabilizing energy costs, increasing access to affordable clean energy, and bolstering grid reliability during high demand and extreme weather, this initiative is set to transform the energy landscape. I are excited about the opportunities this brings for infrastructure development. The Collaborative's strategic action plan to promote interregional transmission projects for offshore wind is particularly promising. By addressing barriers and ensuring future flexibility and interoperability, this initiative will pave the way for innovative and resilient energy solutions. I am look forward to contributing our expertise to this groundbreaking effort and playing a key role in building the energy infrastructure of tomorrow. #seetheopportunityineverydifficulty #EnergyContractors #CleanEnergy #GridReliability #SustainableInfrastructure #MaineEnergy #RegionalCollaboration #OffshoreWind #EnergyTransition

🎧 Energy Solutions out now: This episode features Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia Chairman Emile C. Thompson, who gives us the inside scoop on energy priorities for the nation’s capital. He unpacks what meeting the energy trilemma looks like in D.C. and shares how the Commission is working to support a cleaner, future while keeping D.C.’s lights on and costs down. He also provides regional and national insights from his role as Vice President of the ORGANIZATION OF PJM STATES INC,. PJM Interconnection and involvement in NARUC ( the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners). “As we get deeper and deeper into [the energy expansion], I think we have to be bold but practical ... so it doesn't mean that we can't reach for the stars, but we have to actually do it in a logical manner.” Listen now: https://lnkd.in/etHS3XNx 

National Grid said its Northeast system buildout aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s transmission needs study, which concluded the region needs a 255% increase in transmission development to support clean energy plans in New York and Massachusetts. Over the next five years, the National Grid plans to invest $35 billion to harden New York And Massachusetts's electric grid against extreme weather, reduce emissions, and help the states meet their clean energy goals. Keep reading to learn more about their plans for the grid: https://bit.ly/3Kni047 #SouthernStates #SouthernStatesLLC #inthenews #nationalgrid #utilitydive #powergrid #transmissionsystems #gridupgrades #utilityindustry #powerindustry #powersolutions #utilitysolutions #newyork #massachusetts #hamptonga

About 73% of #NewJersey households rely on power plants that run on fossil fuel to power their homes. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration) Energy rates are expected to increase by 25% from 2023 to 2024 mostly because of the cost of gas (Source: NJ.com) — but it doesn’t have to be this way. With an updated #transmission grid, we can transition to #CleanEnergy and get American-made electricity to homes across New Jersey for a fraction of the cost. Learn more about it here. https://hubs.ly/Q02xhBg60

Always a good time to be talking about virtual power plants to a roomful of energy experts! Honored to share the stage earlier this week for a "hot topic fireside chat" with North Carolina Utilities Commission Chair Charlotte Mitchell at Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners conference in Louisville - discussing how virtual power plants can quickly help bring needed electrons to support the grid. #VPPs We are seeing Virtual Power Plants work and deliver real grid relief across the country, as resources like home solar and batteries are put to work for the grid, and help meet soaring power demands.  At Sunrun, we are proud to have over a dozen distributed power plant programs in various phases nationwide, with our pipeline growing. We have 1.5 GWh of networked storage capacity on standby ready to deploy and 12,000 customers currently enrolled in VPP programs, with more growing by the day. Even better, more states are getting on board with VPPs. We saw landmark legislation pass this spring in Maryland and Colorado, and regulatory-approved programs in North Carolina adding to the growing list of states leveraging these critical resources. Shared some of the best practices from programs like ConnectSolutions in Massachusetts, DSGS in California, and the ADER pilot program in Texas. There are massive opportunities for all states, regardless of political geography, to establish these programs. While each state may have different needs, there are replicable program elements that can work in all markets - but the important piece is to start now, learn and grow these program  to help create a flexible, affordable grid for all. 

We agree with @douglewin. It's time for Texas policymakers, utilities, retailers, and cooperatives to broaden their scope of grid resiliency to include not only infrastructure but also resilience at the consumer level. Integrating distributed energy resources like solar panels and battery storage is essential. These systems not only help us withstand increasingly severe weather but also relieve grid strain during peak periods and enhance overall capacity. Additionally, the implementation of insulation, high-efficiency heat pumps, and smart thermostats can significantly improve both customer resilience and grid reliability. These solutions reduce energy consumption, lower consumer costs, and create a more stable, reliable, and adaptable grid. As we consider future strategies to avoid multi-day outages, a comprehensive approach that marries utility investments with customer-sited technologies is imperative. By empowering consumers to be part of the solution, Texas can develop a more robust and reliable energy system that is better equipped to handle extreme weather and the escalating demands of our growing state. #EnergyResilience #SustainableEnergy #TXenergy https://lnkd.in/dUpuZb6v

Northwest News Network reporter Courtney Flatt's June 5 conversation with Darrin Magee (of Western Washington University) was fascinating. As a former utility communicator (Mason PUD 3, Shelton), I've had a front-row seat to much of the energy debate that has led to our region's energy crossroads. Audio: Why Clean Energy Production Could End Up in Your Backyard (KUOW Radio, Seattle, WA) https://lnkd.in/gKMBSrf6 The siting of energy infrastructure is a challenge that easily breeds cynicism. As the utility I worked for, along with numerous others (both public and private), grappled with the demands of Washington state's 2006 clean energy initiative (I-937), I coined the phrase "Build it. We dare you." I am often reminded of my flip remark, as well-intentioned people clash over finding prime sites for solar energy, wind farms, battery banks, geothermal power, energy transmission, and raw materials needed for batteries and infrastructure. (For example, there are fears about possible battery bank fires in California; land use, cultural, and historical conflicts at the proposed Lava Ridge farm near the Minidoka internment camp in Idaho; the current flap over the proposed Horse Heaven Hills wind farm near the Tri-Cities, WA; opposition to clean-energy transmission lines in the southwest U.S. and elsewhere; and, a growing number of local anti-solar regulations nationwide.) Darrin Magee made an interesting point about how a proliferation of intermittent resources (solar, wind, etc.) could mimic baseload by shifting power production to where it is best at any given time. However, that depends on having these energy sources built at an appropriate scale, located in optimum locations to catch the sun and wind, and, most importantly, connected to the grid so that the power goes where it's needed. No easy answers here. #electricity #renewableenergy #solar #cleanenergy #greenenergy #HydroFlowsHere #hydropower #renewable #MorePowerfulTogether #geothermal #grid #WindPower #Climate #PublicPower #NWPPA #WPUDA

In an era marked by unprecedented energy transformation, the development of robust electric infrastructure is vital. New York Energy Week 2024 invites you to a pivotal session titled "The Critical Role of Transmission Rate Incentives and Stable Return on Equity Policies in Building Essential Electric Infrastructure," led by Nicholas Cicale, Counsel at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. This virtual event will occur on June 28 from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm US Eastern Time. Navigating the Financial Landscape of Electric Infrastructure As the backbone of modern energy systems, electric transmission infrastructure demands significant investment. Central to fostering this investment are transmission rate incentives and stable return on equity (ROE) policies. Nicholas Cicale will elucidate how these financial mechanisms are not merely supportive but essential to the continuous enhancement and reliability of electric grids. Insights from a Leading Legal Authority Nicholas Cicale brings over great expertise in energy regulation and litigation, serving a broad clientele that includes public utilities, transmission developers, and renewable energy ventures. His session will explore: - Transmission Rate Incentives: Understanding how these incentives drive capital investment in critical infrastructure. - Stable ROE Policies: The significance of consistent and fair ROE policies in encouraging utility investments. - Regulatory Insights: An analysis of FERC’s oversight and its impact on transmission rate incentives and ROE. - Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful infrastructure projects bolstered by sound financial and regulatory frameworks. - Future Outlook: Trends and potential policy shifts that could influence future infrastructure investments. Why This Session Matters For stakeholders across the energy spectrum—utility executives, investors, policymakers, and regulatory professionals—this session offers indispensable knowledge. Understanding the intricate balance between financial incentives and regulatory policies is crucial for driving investment and ensuring the stability and growth of electric infrastructure. Engage with Thought Leaders New York Energy Week 2024 provides a unique platform for dialogue and collaboration among energy sector leaders. This session aims to foster a deeper understanding of the financial underpinnings that support vital infrastructure development, offering participants strategic insights and practical knowledge. Join Us This is a virtual event, and registration is required. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from a leading authority in energy regulation and to engage in discussions that shape the future of electric infrastructure. New York Energy Week 2024 marks eleven years of pioneering leadership in the energy sector. Join us as we continue to explore innovative solutions and drive sustainability in the global energy landscape. #CleanEnergyRevolution #SustainableFuture #EnergyInnovation