Opinion: Page 2
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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The No. 1 untapped tool for utilities to engage next-gen energy customers? Influencers.
To overcome existing frictions, energy companies must reach customers where they already are and seamlessly insert education and brand stories.
Kate Finley • July 9, 2024 -
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Two bold ideas to change the energy industry forever
Now may be an ideal time to make dramatic, fundamental changes to how we transport electricity, deliver it to customers and fund new projects, writes Anthony Allard, head of Hitachi Energy, North America.
Anthony Allard • July 3, 2024 -
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Eliminating the discord over FERC Order 1920 — what’s the role for states?
Instead of fighting the rule, a coordinated effort by states of all stripes to help implement the order will ensure least cost, least regrets transmission planning.
Devin Hartman and Kent Chandler • July 2, 2024 -
A YIMBY approach to the transmission buildout
Just as housing advocates are finding new allies at the state and local level for their YIMBY — Yes in My Backyard — movement, the energy community should seek to cultivate proactive community demand for transmission projects.
Robin Allen • June 28, 2024 -
Permission granted by American Biogas Council
America will need 500 TWh more power in 2028. This simple solution could help.
To help solve our grid load dilemma, the U.S. could produce at least 166 terawatt hours of renewable electricity just with the methane captured from biogas projects and recycling our organic waste.
Patrick Serfass • June 27, 2024 -
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Transmission planning’s next frontier: A rebuttable presumption for modern grid technologies
Regulators should apply the principle of ‘rebuttable presumption’ — accepting a given fact as true until it is disproved — by ensuring that alternative transmission technologies are prioritized in evaluating system needs.
Jason Marshall • June 11, 2024 -
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Forward-thinking investments and increased power grid flexibility can prevent wildfires
A methodology being developed by Lawrence Berkekey National Lab and others assesses different wildfire mitigation approaches to determine the optimal portfolio of investments to protect power grids.
Alexandre Moreira • June 10, 2024 -
PBouman via Getty Images
Minnesota’s permitting reforms will accelerate its clean energy boom and can serve as a national model
The Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act is expected to cut permitting time for individual projects by nine months to a year, shortening the overall approval timeline by 50% or more.
Mel Mackin • June 5, 2024 -
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Responsible AI in energy: Balancing efficiency, sustainability and trust in a high-stakes industry
Stringent regulations, safety considerations and environmental expectations necessitate robust risk management as AI adoption accelerates in the energy sector.
Alyssa Lefaivre Škopac and Patrick McAndrew • June 4, 2024 -
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Why EPA’s support of school bus electrification is the clear choice to improve America’s future
Focusing on top-line sticker prices obscures the total cost of ownership of electric school buses, as well as their end-of-life value.
Albert Gore • June 3, 2024 -
Nikolay Chekalin via Getty Images
Mitigating nuclear industry whistleblower risk after the Supreme Court’s Murray v. UBS ruling
The court’s decision presents an opportunity for employers in the nuclear industry to review their practices and take practical steps to minimize their potential exposure under the Energy Reorganization Act.
Jane Accomando and Lincoln Bisbee • May 24, 2024 -
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Investing in green companies: Why private equity should lead the charge
Investing in green companies not only addresses pressing environmental concerns but offers compelling financial returns as well.
Hajar Jouglaf • May 22, 2024 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
We need long-duration storage for a cleaner and reliable grid. Here’s how policymakers can help.
States could require utilities to procure long-duration energy storage resources to help meet resource adequacy requirements.
Rich Glick • May 21, 2024 -
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Grid modernization plans must consider quantum computing, AI, other innovations
Any policy related to upgrading the grid must include a focus on using new technologies to make the most of these significant investments.
Christina Hayes and Allison Schwartz • May 20, 2024 -
Trong Nguyen via Getty Images
FERC Order 1920 is a big step forward on transmission planning, but it is not the end game
The rule provides the raw ingredients to transmission providers and states, FERC Commissioner Allison Clements writes, but the grid of the future will not be built if these entities do not come together and start cooking.
Allison Clements • May 15, 2024 -
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Requiem for a DRAM: Charting the future of demand response in California
The current situation is anathema to California’s long-running efforts to build a balanced and open market for demand response, one in which utilities and third-party providers compete on a level playing field.
Collin Smith • May 14, 2024 -
Imaginima via Getty Images
With 78% of requested investments approved, US regulators are backing grid modernization
Contrary to the conventional opinion that regulation is an obstacle to grid modernization, regulators have, in fact, largely demonstrated strong support over the past six years.
Kathy (Huishan) Hu • May 13, 2024 -
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Why the EPA shouldn’t favor school bus electrification
The environmental benefits of vehicle electrification are not as obvious as once thought, and the grid is simply not ready to service the load.
Tucker Perkins • May 10, 2024 -
VISION4RY-L4NGU4GE via Getty Images
Competition in transmission ownership does not lower consumer costs
Opponents of right-of-first-refusal laws claim that incumbent transmission providers have no incentive to reduce costs. The exact opposite is true.
Bill Marsan • May 9, 2024 -
Jose Gulias Trigas via Getty Images
There are 3 fundamental problems with Scope 2 GHG accounting. Here’s how to fix them.
Society cannot afford actions and expenditures to support claims of progress while not accomplishing real-world emission reductions.
Neil Fisher, Roger Ballentine and Armond Cohen • May 8, 2024 -
Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
If you want ‘virtual power plants,’ first define them
Persistent confusion around VPPs may impede successful policymaking, challenging regulatory commissions, stalling deployments and delaying important benefits to our electricity system.
Ted Ko • May 7, 2024 -
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If EPA’s latest power plant rules seem familiar, don’t get fooled again!
The power plant rule that EPA announced on April 25 closely resembles Obama’s Clean Power Plan in key respects — and it will almost certainly suffer the same fate.
Sam Thernstrom • May 6, 2024 -
Sergey Sidorov via Getty Images
FERC and NERC review of winter storm gas failures lacks transparency, key details
Faltering energy system performance — which almost caused rolling blackouts — and insufficient scrutiny and transparency after the fact must not be the new normal with winter storms.
Paul Arbaje • May 3, 2024 -
Andrei Ksenzhuk via Getty Images
Long-term transmission planning will power America’s future
It is in the national interest to approach the power grid the same way we have approached the internet, the interstate highway system and telecommunications.
John Szoka and Ted Thomas • May 2, 2024 -
Permission granted by ISO New England
New early warning system will mitigate energy shortfall risks in New England
ISO New England’s new Probabilistic Energy Adequacy Tool, created jointly with EPRI, is part of the grid operator’s comprehensive and proactive approach to planning for a reliable future power system.
Stephen George and Jinye Zhao • May 1, 2024
