While blockchain technology is most closely associated with the cryptocurrency Bitcoin and more recently the financial industry, there is a new category of tech companies that are focused on using blockchain technology to reshape the energy industry. These companies are using blockchain in order to help utility companies track renewable energy credits, facilitate metering and
Cost Recovery
A Guide to Utility Ratemaking
Lawyers, consultants and business leaders working in the rates and regulatory area will find the recently released Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PaPUC or Commission) Guide to Utility Ratemaking helpful, even if you don’t practice in Pennsylvania.
The original Rate Case Handbook was first published in 1983. The handbook served as a valuable resource for energy…
Staff Issues Recommendations in NY’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources Proceeding
Recently, the staff of the New York State Department of Public Service issued its recommendations in the Value of Distributed Energy Resources Proceeding. The 68-page report provides a comprehensive discussion regarding the compensation and valuation of distributed energy resources (DER). Among its many recommendations, the report provides that existing rooftop solar systems should continue to…
CPUC Begins Rulemaking for Distributed Energy Resources and Utility Incentives
The Public Utilities Commission of California (CPUC) recently introduced a draft regulatory incentive proposal addressing issues regarding the utilities’ business models, financial interests and role with respect to distributed energy resources (DER) deployment. Given the potential magnitude of this rulemaking to the utilities’ business models, I suggest that utilities and other stakeholders nationwide follow this…
Blurred Lines: States, FERC and Regulatory Uncertainty
On June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court declined to hear Kansas City Power & Light Co.’s appeal of a lower court’s affirmation of the Missouri Public Service Commission order denying the utility the right to recover FERC-approved transmission costs, estimated at $100 million. The costs are for delivering power 500 miles from a natural gas…
Florida Commission Gets Briefing on Smart Meters
Recently Commission staff provided a Briefing on Smart Meters: Technical Information and Regulatory Issues to the Florida Public Service Commission. As previously reported, the FPSC held a public workshop last year to gather information and address concerns raised by customers. The Briefing summarizes the workshop. Although many of the typical issues are raised, I…
Smart Grid Battle in Illinois Continues
Most people in the industry agree the electric infrastructure is outdated and requires extensive upgrades. It’s when you get to the “How?” and “Who pays for it?” that the war begins in many jurisdictions. And if you think that having a law that supports the upgrades and implementation of the smart grid settles the matter…
Utilities – What is Your Smart Grid IQ (Investment Quotient)?
The Smart Grid Research Consortium has created a smart grid test that scores utilities in six categories:
- AMI/DA Investment/Planning Scope
- Customer Engagement Investment/Planning Scope
- Other Financial Items
- Utility Customer Detail
- Investment Analysis Quantitative Framework and
- Ease of Use/User Interface/Results Presentation
The questions are designed to provide utilities with guidance when making smart grid investments. I…
Dominion Virginia Power Receives Approval to Offer an Electric Vehicle Pilot Program
Dominion Virginia Power received SCC approval to offer an electric vehicle recharging pilot program. The pilot is designed to test whether electric vehicle owners will choose to recharge their vehicles during off-peak hours – typically overnight – in exchange for lower electricity costs. Interested customers will be able to sign up for the pilot program…
Innovation → IP Protection → Investment → A Safer, Smarter Grid
Today I would like to introduce you to my colleague Ted Wood. Ted is a patent attorney with the law firm of Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox and is at the forefront of the smart grid cyber security and innovation discussion. He has some great ideas to help smart grid technology developers and is…