New York’s environmental and utility regulators are moving closer to a unified approach to building a cleaner, more robust, and affordable energy system. The Public Service Commission (PSC), New York’s utility regulator, has been working to rethink how New York makes, moves, and uses electricity through its innovative Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative. Specifically, it… Keep reading →
Hillary Clinton’s campaign on Thursday unveiled a $30 billion plan to help coal communities rebound as the clean energy economy develops. [Fox News] Energy companies from Australia to China tumbled Friday as falling commodities prices stoked fears over the global outlook. [Yahoo News] AutoGrid Systems, a demand response software company based in Redwood City, said… Keep reading →
While much of the focus on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan relates to its impact on utilities and other energy providers, manufacturers and other large electricity consumers are understandably concerned about the CPP’s impact on their electricity bill.
Early January 2014, during the heart of the Polar Vortex, grid operator PJM had its finger on the switch ready to start rolling blackouts across 13 states and Washington, D.C. As temperatures plunged to 20- and 30-below zero, coal piles froze and conveyors broke down at coal plants, gas plants without firm delivery contracts sat… Keep reading →
Electricity regulators, clean energy innovators, and rappers have all lamented poor communication. And some have pushed for cleaner, cheaper, more reliable solutions for meeting our energy needs. This is particularly so with the much anticipated emergence of a new kind of non-event based, price-responsive demand response (DR), or flexible DR. Whereas traditional DR signals customers… Keep reading →
On September 11, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a winter reliability program (WRP) for the New England Independent System Operator (ISO-NE) region for winters 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018, until new market-based performance incentives take effect. From the two competing proposals submitted by ISO-NE and New England Power Pool (NEPOOL), the FERC selected… Keep reading →
On July 28, 2015, the New York Department of Public Service (DPS) issued a whitepaper on ratemaking and utility business models under the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Track Two proceeding, providing guidance and recommendations on ratemaking and utility model reforms. REV seeks to transform the utility regulatory structure by integrating greater levels of DER… Keep reading →
This month Texans have been at the mercy of some extreme, shoe-melting heat. Yet, despite the heat wave and resulting high demand in electricity, the state’s main grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), has barely broken a sweat. Demand even passed the previous record-high mark twice in one afternoon, but ERCOT has… Keep reading →
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Clean Power Plan, the first initiative of its kind to curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing U.S. power plants. By improving air quality, the plan promises to prevent 90,000 childhood asthma attacks and avoid up to 3,600 premature deaths each year – without compromising economic growth.… Keep reading →
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a grid operator, states, and other parties just filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court in a case that could decide whether Americans have access to low-cost, clean and reliable electricity. The case, EPSA v. FERC, revolves around demand response, a resource that helps keep prices low and the… Keep reading →
