Opinion: Page 3
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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Steering gas utilities toward calmer seas with an eye to the electric experience
State regulators need to begin assembling their tools to manage the impact of the energy transition — on both gas customers and the electric grid — before crises in affordability and reliability are upon us.
Sarah Steinberg and Brad Cebulko • July 30, 2024 -
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The US lacks enough skilled clean energy workers, but solutions are close at hand
To build successful clean energy manufacturing businesses in the U.S. while revitalizing our domestic industrial base, companies need to take responsibility for developing the workforce their growth depends on.
Chris Dougher • July 26, 2024 -
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Competition may delay needed transmission, increasing costs
The process FERC and individual states set through future reforms will be determinative in whether there is added time to an already long transmission development timeline.
Benjamin Dierker • July 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Nostromo Energy
Energy storage systems lower costs for building operators, even as average electricity prices rise
The return on investment for installing thermal energy storage systems is moving closer to between three and five years, with buildings joining programs like demand response, Nostromo Energy’s CEO says.
Yoram Ashery • July 24, 2024 -
FERC’s transmission rule will boost grid reliability and affordability without usurping state authority
“We represent states with diverse energy goals, but we are all satisfied FERC’s new planning rule will produce beneficial and fair outcomes for our residents and businesses,” five utility commissioners write.
Andrew French, Joseph Sullivan, Ann Rendahl, Gabriel Aguilera and Davante Lewis • July 23, 2024 -
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What the 2024 presidential election could mean for commercial solar
Without full congressional support, and given various investment considerations, a change in administration will likely only stymie and delay certain parts of the IRA’s implementation.
David Wei and Raaghav Salem Karthikeyan • July 19, 2024 -
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With huge capital needs, the power sector’s founding regulatory principle is more critical than ever
Any possible energy future is a capital-intensive one, with capital needs that will only increase as the U.S. demand wave and load growth continue.
Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • July 18, 2024 -
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Nowhere to sell: As local bans proliferate, renewable energy companies must prioritize politics
The polluters who want to kill the energy transition have created political headwinds that are grinding the transition to a halt for everyone else, including the companies that really do want to move away from dirty fuels.
Ayelet Hines • July 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by Wärtsilä
When it comes to new thermal generation, small is beautiful
IOUs have long favored larger projects that benefit from economies of scale. However, the evolving energy market suggests investing in smaller, modular, flexible and decentralized power plants is a smarter approach.
July 15, 2024 -
monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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 -
Roberto N via Getty Images
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 -
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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 -
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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 -
imacoconut via Getty Images
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 -
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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
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