The pace of change in the utility industry is accelerating. Recent digital innovations and new regulatory frameworks are laying the foundation for a future where renewable energy will be abundant and well-integrated into our grid. Last year, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), as part of Governor Cuomo’s “Reforming the Energy Vision, launched its Strategic… Keep reading →
The electricity sector and its incumbent electricity companies are undergoing an unprecedented, challenging but nevertheless critical transformation – a transition towards a more climate-resilient, less carbon-intensive power system which ends up “closer to the customer”. The widespread penetration of renewable energy sources into the electricity supply mix along with a constant push for more innovative… Keep reading →
Until we lose it, many of us take electricity for granted: for the past 100 years, the developed world has grown to expect a constant supply of power at the flick of a switch. However, for many people across the globe, gaining access to a reliable supply of electricity is extremely difficult, if not impossible.… Keep reading →
Have you ever heard of a synchrophasor? It may sound like a word out of science fiction, but these mailbox-sized devices are already changing the electrical grid as we know it. The grid was born over a century ago, at a time when our needs were simpler and our demand much lower. More complex needs are… Keep reading →
The FERC has directed RTOs/ISOs to identify fuel assurance issues relevant to their respective markets and file a report on the status of their efforts to address the issues. On November 20, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order directing regional transmission organizations and independent system operators (RTOs/ISOs) to file reports on… Keep reading →
The Energy Department takes the security and reliability of our power grid very seriously. We work closely with our federal, state and industry partners around the clock to protect the nation’s energy infrastructure from all hazards, including cyber incidents. As this year’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Energy Action Month draw to a close, I’d… Keep reading →
Since 2004, the year of the first major revision of Germany’s Renewable Energy Act (EEG), the country has added at least 35 gigawatts (GW) of solar and 35 GW of wind to its electric grid – enough to offset upwards of 35 coal plants. What’s more impressive is during the first half of 2014, close to 29 percent of Germany’s… Keep reading →
There is enormous market opportunity for grid-scale energy storage solutions on both the power supply and demand side, but historically low US natural gas prices appear to represent a headwind moderating widespread energy storage deployment. Importantly, today’s quote comes from a GE representative whose company is a major manufacturer of “fast-reacting turbines,” and others contend… Keep reading →
The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has recently released a report – prepared by the Brattle Group – on how Germany’s policies to support solar PV have made the country a world leader in deploying solar PV over the last decade. Most recent data from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) show… Keep reading →
50 Percent Renewable Energy for California’s Grid Achievable with Smart Choices
By Michael O’Boyle & Hal HarveyDuring his State of the State address, Governor Brown proposed a goal of 50 percent renewable energy on California’s electric grid by 2030. Since then, State Senators and Assembly Members have introduced bills to turn the goal into law. The bills are quite clear on the 50 percent goal, but scant on details, raising the… Keep reading →