Energy policy discussions these days are dominated by talk of innovation on electric distribution systems. New clean energy technologies are developing so quickly it can be difficult to keep up with the relevant buzz-words; as digitization of the smart grid leads to rapid innovation, new distributed energy resources are causing disruptive challenges requiring electric utility and energy market reform. Continue reading »
Positive Developments in the Search for the Holy Grail of Renewable Energy
November 17, 2014 in Energy Systems Author: Steve Dahlke
King Arthur and his loyal knights embark on an arduous, difficult quest to find the Holy Grail. Many perish along the way. After a multitude of trials and tribulations, they find the Grail is hidden in the Castle of “Aaargh!” That is at least how the story goes in the popular 1970’s British satire Monty Python and the Holy Grail (see here for the “Aaargh!” scene). Continue reading »
Patching Up the Seams: Reducing Regional Obstacles in Electricity
November 5, 2014 in Energy Systems Author: Steve Dahlke
Changes in federal law at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the last decade have spurred evolution of the electricity sector away from local power systems and towards increasingly efficient regional interconnections. Expanding the market in this way has been beneficial – it allows the industry to take advantage of economies of scale while adapting to emerging technologies and environmental policies. Continue reading »
Germany’s Energiewende Requires New Electric Infrastructure
October 10, 2014 in Energy Systems Author: Steve Dahlke
Energiewende. This German word has been getting lots of attention in recent years. It translates to “Energy Transition,” and represents the country’s commitment to dramatically ramping up renewable energy and energy efficiency while phasing out nuclear power over the next few decades. The target is 80% electricity production from renewables by 2050. Being the world’s fourth largest economy, the rest of the world has taken notice – other nations are watching the German experiment closely as they also contemplate how to decarbonize their energy sectors. Continue reading »
Letter to MISO regarding lowering their minimum megawatt limit to encourage participation of distributed resources
July 18, 2014 in News & Press Author: Steve Dahlke
July 18, 2014 Dear Mike Robinson and Ted Kuhn, The following are comments from the MISO Environmental Sector regarding MISO’s minimum capacity resource limits. Specifically, we ask that MISO re-assess its current minimum limit of 5 MW and look at implementing a limit comparable to PJM (100 kW). This issue was raised by market participants at the June 4, 2014 Demand Response Working Group as a barrier to demand response participation in MISO’s markets. MISO responded with an informational presentation at the July 7 DRWG, describing its rules regarding minimum capacity resource limits, and requested additional stakeholder feedback on the topic. Continue reading »
Demand Response: An Underutilized Asset in the Midwest
March 19, 2014 in Energy Systems Author: Steve Dahlke
Imagine yourself lying on a warm beach, maybe in Hawaii, a Mai Tai in one hand and a good book in the other. Once you’ve caught enough rays you take a stroll back to your comfortable air-conditioned hotel where you relax some more. Continue reading »
The U.S. electricity system is in a period of rapid change, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who disagrees. We have a grid in need of significant updates, given the 21st century policy and business demands confronting the electric power industry. Continue reading »
