State and Federal Leaders to Discuss Energy and Environmental Developments in the PJM Region

April 27, 2018 in Carbon Management, Energy Systems Author: Doug Scott

Utilities and regulators face an increasingly complex task when responding to the changing power generation mix. They must consider the impact of market rules, legislation, reliability, resilience, cost and environmental issues, just to name a few.

With that in mind, it’s vital to gather the key players, stakeholders, and thought leaders in this sector to discuss issues and generate solutions. That’s the purpose of the “Energy and Environmental Developments in the PJM Region,” event taking place in Washington, D.C. on May 2, 2018. Continue reading »

White Paper: Electric Vehicles Have Potential to Transform the Grid with Previously Unrealized Benefits in the Midcontinent

April 23, 2018 in Energy Systems, News & Press, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Author: Gail Nosek

 

White Paper Electric Vehicles Have Potential to Transform the Grid with Previously Unrealized Benefits in the Midcontinent

The continuing surge in electric vehicle (EV) use has utilities looking to future impacts on the existing grid structure. Now, a unique consortium of stakeholders has released a white paper that shows that grid transformation can not only meet EV demand, but it can simultaneously benefit utility customers, the economy, and the environment. Continue reading »

Improving Standby Rate Design Would Help Industries Increase Efficiency, Reduce Emissions, and Save Money

March 13, 2018 in Energy Systems Authors: Anna Dirkswager, Jamie Scripps

What is Combined Heat and Power?

Combined heat and power (CHP) is a system that not only generates electricity, but also harnesses the thermal energy from power generation for heating and cooling applications (typically burning natural gas for electricity and capturing the exhaust for steam heat). By combining these two processes, some CHP systems can achieve thermal efficiencies of 60-80 percent, which is up to twice the efficiency of traditional power generation. Continue reading »

Analysis: Cost and Emission Benefits of Increased Demand Response in the MISO Region

January 31, 2018 in Energy Systems Authors: Matt Prorok, Steve Dahlke

Energy Meter

A recently published working paper by the Great Plains Institute (GPI), titled “Consumer Savings, Price, and Emissions Impacts of Increasing Demand Response in the Midcontinent Electricity Market,” explores the effects of increasing the use of demand response (DR) assets in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) wholesale energy market. Continue reading »

Workshop Focuses on Energy Policy Trends in America’s Heartland

December 22, 2017 in Energy Systems Authors: Doug Scott, Jill Syvrud

People

Important issues in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) were the focus of “Powering the Plains and Beyond: Energy Policy in America’s Heartland,” a workshop held in Austin, TX on December 11, 2017. Organized by the Great Plains Institute, this workshop gathered panels of experts to examine energy development and trends within the fourteen states in the SPP footprint and the potential expansion of SPP in the future. Continue reading »

MISO’s Triennial Review of Regional Transmission Lines in the Midwest Shows Worthwhile Investment

November 29, 2017 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

In late October, 2017, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) released its third triennial review of the Multi-Value Project (MVP) electric transmission portfolio, which is an update of previous analyses performed to understand the how these 17 transmission lines, approved in 2011, continue to show benefits to the MISO region. The report describes how these projects, which cross multiple states in the Midwest, continue to deliver benefits above and beyond what was initially expected. Continue reading »

Q&A: Can Regional Competitive Wholesale Markets for Electricity Function alongside State Energy Policies?

November 29, 2017 in Energy Systems Author: Franz Litz

Power LinesAs states have increasingly moved to implement state-specific energy policies, tensions have grown between these states and the regional wholesale electricity markets that serve them. Although regional transmission organizations (RTOs) oversee the markets and manage the electricity grid, states’ right to pursue certain energy policies—such as renewable portfolio standards and tax incentives for preferred generation resources—is raising fundamental questions.  Continue reading »

Workshop Announced! Powering the Plains and Beyond: Energy Policy in America’s Heartland

November 12, 2017 in Energy Systems Author: Jill Syvrud

The Great Plains Institute is excited to announce a one-day workshop to be held in Austin, Texas on December 11, 2017. “Powering the Plains and Beyond: Energy Policy in America’s Heartland” will bring together experts, state officials, and stakeholders from across the Plains and beyond to explore energy developments and trends in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) region. Continue reading »