Yes, the wheels of government turn slowly. But not in New York. Not this time. State regulators called on utilities and other stakeholders late last week to get to work now on microgrids and distributed energy demonstrations, rather than wait for final rules in its Reforming the Energy Vision, or REV process. REV promises to decentralize the … [Read more...]
Microgrid Growth: How Far, How Fast Since Superstorm Sandy?
November 3, 2014 By
When massive storms hit, we get religion. Superstorm Sandy was that kind of storm. States along the US East Coast emerged from the wreckage two years ago this week with a new devotion to creating a more resilient electric system. Where the central grid failed, microgrids kept the lights on. So government leaders, businesses, and even some … [Read more...]
Energy Efficiency as an Act of Protest
September 9, 2014 By
A friend recently asked me how she can stop doing business with her electric utility as an act of protest. The utility is building a major gas transmission line that will run through pristine land. She wanted to make a statement by leaving the utility for a competitive electric supplier. It turned out that’s not an option for her – her state has … [Read more...]
Con Edison to Meet the Energy Needs of a Changing City
September 8, 2014 By
Push aside your stereotype about Con Edison as a slow moving public utility Goliath, and meet an energy company determined to change how it operates. Con Ed, which serves the metropolitan New York area, is taking an innovative, cost savings approach to delivering dependable power that offers a glimpse into the future of what I predict all major … [Read more...]
Should New York Be Wary of Utility Monopolies in Distributed Energy?
September 4, 2014 By
Should New York let utilities both manage and compete in the distributed energy market the state is planning? That's one of the big questions the industry is debating in New York's “Reforming the Energy Vision,” or REV. The Department of Public Service last week confirmed its intent to let utilities act as the distributed grid operator in a … [Read more...]
Industry Insiders _Not_ Surprised that Utilities Like Microgrids
July 28, 2014 By
So it turns out that utilities like microgrids, contrary to the notion – almost lore – that they dread them as economic disruptors or technical headaches. In fact, utilities view microgrids as a business opportunity. That was the finding of a recent project that I had the pleasure of working on with the nice folks at Utility Dive, who … [Read more...]
