Smart Rates for Distributed Energy Resources

Compensation mechanisms for distributed energy resources (DERs) continue to prompt debate, and reforms to these mechanisms, including traditional net metering, will be one of the keys to making DERs such as rooftop solar  accessible to more customers. A new report, written to inform regulators and lawmakers considering this issue in Michigan, examines the tradeoffs involved in updating approaches to DER rate design and proposes three possible reform pathways.

Time to Consider the (Non-Pipeline) Alternatives

Non-wires alternatives can be a cheaper, more effective way to serve additional demand in the electricity system. The same is true for gas service: Instead of expanding or upgrading gas distribution networks, regulation can require utilities to consider other options, including energy efficiency and electrification. In a blog post, Max Dupuy explains more about non-pipeline alternatives.

Participating in Power: A Guide to IRPs

Utility integrated resource plans (IRPs) provide an important opportunity for local governments to advocate for clean energy and equity priorities, and a new guidebook from RAP and the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) aims to be a roadmap through the IRP process. To learn more about the guidebook and how communities can use it, join RAP and IMT staff on Tuesday, Nov. 16 for an interactive webinar.

FURTHER NOTES

Getting Off the Fossil Fuel Roller Coaster

Skyrocketing energy prices in Europe are being driven by a surge in global demand for fossil gas. In an article for Energy Monitor (as well as a memo for the European Commission), Bram Claeys, Michael Hogan and Dominic Scott urge policymakers to address the root causes of this volatility — by prioritizing energy efficiency and renewables while limiting the use of hydrogen to hard-to-reach applications.

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'February was not a resource adequacy event.'

— Michael Hogan to Utility Dive on the Texas PUC’s recent moves to address the weatherization problems that hit generators last winter. RAP has filed two rounds of comments to the PUC’s market design reform docket.

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