Mariko McDonagh Meier

It is exciting to see great discussions and policy work to expand Transmission Grid Capacity and the role of Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) in unlocking the Grid for more renewables. We at GridAstra acknowledge some of the pressing challenges mentioned - the laborious work to simulate GETs during studies and lack of software tools to help plan the Grid with GETs. GridAstra recently released ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ to address this very challenge by providing 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗚𝗘𝗧𝘀) 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀. The ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ can not only perform the detailed pre-projects and post-projects steady state analysis to identify the basecase and post-contingent constraints based on cluster studies, but can also provide automated suggestions for mitigating these constraints with GETs based controls. As a part of such GETs based control actions, it can automatically provide an optimal strategy by coordinating Grid Topology Reconfiguration and Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFCs), or using any one of these control types based on your choice. In case you are wondering about where to place the APFCs in the Grid for optimal impact (with minimum APFC installation), our software can also help find that out for you! And last but not the least, this software can be easily integrated in your existing Interconnection Study workflows, thanks to its compatibility with industry-standard data formats. Ultimately, our goal with the ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ software is to empower Transmission operators, Utilities, and Generation project developers to reliably connect larger volumes of new generation in a much shorter period of time and at a much lower cost. If you are interested in a demo of our ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ software, please reach out to us at info@gridastra.com or https://lnkd.in/g6BacNK5.

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This article states grid operators are not effectively using inter-regional ties. At least from my experience in the northeast, the operators’ hands are generally tied by market rules. Transactions across inter-regional ties between the BAs/RCs are scheduled according to the bids submitted into the market. They are scheduled based on the LMPs in each of the respective systems relative to the submitted bids of the transactions. The operators in most cases are precluded from scheduling any energy across the inter-regional ties short of emergency assistance. Operators moving energy based on their view of economics and where power should be flowing results in them being crucified by the stakeholders for potentially manipulating the market and the prices. I’m not really sure where this conclusion came from but it does operators a disservice. #NREL #energyscheduling #operations

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Merchant vs hedge in battery storage... That's what I'll be discussing at the Solarmedia Battery Asset Management Summit November 12 in San Diego I'll be on a panel with my friend Joe Crespo, Sandeep Arora of REV Renewables, Erdal Kara, PhD of Vistra Corp., Li Xu of LXI Capital and Sebastian Blake of Octopus Energy talking about risks and rewards, and sharing my Plus Power perspective #energystorage #batterystorage #batteries https://lnkd.in/eQDiv_Ax

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“… the co-location of an Amazon data center at Talen Energy’s Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania could lead to cost shifting …” Just like the complaints about roof-top PV leading to cost shifting. If only it was possible to make network service pricing cost-reflective 🧐 Btw, you can model “behind-the-meter” nuclear power plants in Gridcog 😀

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Today marks an important milestone in the transition to a net zero grid. Our partners National Grid have fully operationalized the largest Dynamic Line Ratings project in the US, and the first in New York. Kudos to the entire team at National Grid who are leading the industry toward a dynamic, optimized grid, including Rudolph Wynter, Brian Gemmell, Kenneth Buske and Terron Hill. https://lnkd.in/en7sDfA4

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Navigating the choice between the ITC and PTC requires careful consideration of project economics, investor preferences, and regulatory frameworks. By aligning incentives with broader climate objectives and mitigating economic distortions, we can unlock the full potential of renewable energy and pave the way for a sustainable energy future. #ITC #PTC #RenewableEnergy

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What a great program from GridLab. Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship can be daunting. Don’t let the fear win out. Support like this in the beginning is a great way to help with the transition. Kudos to GridLab

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How will the grid keep pace with the massive AI data center and electrification-fueled load growth? Check out the DOE's Innovate Grid Deployment Liftoff Report. It has a detailed playbook of proven technologies that can be deployed now to unlock hundreds of gigawatts of capacity on the existing grid.

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In this AEIC (Association of Edison Illuminating Companies) Grid Mod Pod episode, we’re excited to be joined by Lee Krevat, Founder and CEO of Krevat Energy Innovations. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen in: -What inspired Lee to pursue climate technology full time -Why reliability and safety can be barriers for utilities looking to adopt new climate technology -How climate tech can be used to virtualize data storage -An overview of the Pareto Principle and how it applies to the adoption of climate tech -Case studies of utilities adopting climate tech successfully https://lnkd.in/efiAjDgK

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One of the top priorities for all utilities will need to be clearly and effectively communicating all the costs associated with the "energy transition." "Half of the average consumer bill has nothing to do with what fuel is used to generate electricity. It reflects the cost of transmission and distribution. And those costs are rising fast, according to consumer advocates. Utilities are spending heavily to ramp up their transmission infrastructure as electricity demand grows because of the advent of electric vehicles and data centers for artificial intelligence applications. Increasingly, those costs will be passed along to consumers." “I expect it to accelerate,” wrote David Springe, executive director of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, in an email to Barron’s. “A lot of spending has yet to hit the consumer bill.” Ten percent rate increases are beginning across the country during a period where natural gas prices are rock bottom and the cost of capital is rising like the sun. Hard to buy the argument that inflation will soon moderate and the Fed will cut rates soon. But if inflation does moderate somewhere down the road, it will not be because of lower electricity prices. There is no kicking this can down the road #communication #utilities #inflation #electricity #costofcapital #interestrates

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Sometimes #energytransition progress is talked about with so little fanfare you can almost miss it...unless you read things like the recently published SPP 2023 State of the Market Report. Congratulations to Southwest Power Pool for continuing to reliably manage an increasingly intermittent generation mix, including the continued expansion of #demandresponse resources. "For the second straight year, wind generation produced the highest percentage of total generation, at 37 percent in 2023." "Of the 1,806 MW net increase in nameplate generation capacity from 2022, 1,693 MW were from wind resources, 431 MW were from dispatchable demand response, and 239 were from solar resources." https://lnkd.in/ghVSqNxF #DR #DERs #VPPs

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The challenge before everyone driving our energy transition resides in bringing together EV, DER, OEM, DERMS, ADMS, Aggregators, and VPP providers -- "every stakeholder" together to accelerate innovation and help prevent grid reliability challenges before they happen. We are proud to be partners with Brian Grunkemeyer, Tyler Phillipi, and their team at FlexCharging, who, together with Rhythmos.io, are collaborating, innovating, and sharing critical insights to successfully meet and improve the future demands of today's grid. FlexCharging and Rhythmos.io are committed to working together to unify their efforts to advance electric transportation goals. https://lnkd.in/gyXzKubw

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Energy storage offers opportunities for balancing electric supply and demand, and represents a key piece of the puzzle in ensuring our transition to cleaner energy can maintain the reliability of New York’s electric system. Recognizing this need, and in response to state law, the Commission established a 3GW energy storage target in 2018. Since then, in partnership with NYSERDA, NYISO, utilities and others, we’ve explored and refined various strategies and actions encouraging the integration of battery storage. Yesterday’s order reaffirms the importance of energy storage, establishing a higher 6GW goal, and supporting programs to cost-effectively increase growth to ensure the pace of energy storage development can meet our growing needs. Link to Order - https://lnkd.in/eTvgjQpK Link to Press Release - https://lnkd.in/e4dQ44Ft

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File under: energy regulatory observations, #RTO #complaints / #waivers when there are #tariff issues that don't make sense. I read a fair number of daily orders from / filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and this granting of a complaint against PJM stood out as a quick one to highlight for a few reasons. First, the level of tax-codification (like Shakespeare, I'll invent the words I need) that RTO tariffs have undergone. Read the intro paragraph of the order capturing the crux of the issue. My goodness. I cover issues across ISOs/RTOs from PJM, to NYISO, CAISO, and of course ISO-NE as well non-888/2000 regions like BPA and public utility districts and everyone has their own rules. For companies doing business in the US (which, for example, is common with generation, transmission developers, and large loads), it's like needing to be fluent in several languages. Observation: no wonder #FERC has some aspirations to more standardized language to at least create a bit of standardization in the tariff tower of Babel. Second, the complaint as a consensus tool. It's human nature to want to be right. Evolutionary, it's a mark of power. And power means safety. Humans are wired that way for survival, and it takes some self-awareness and reflection to engage the rational cortex over the non-verbal and much older limbic system and to hit the pause button to a challenge. The term "complaint" doesn't always help and neither does the "party v. party" case caption. The whole structure connotes conflict. Here, Dominion filed a waiver with a complaint in the alternative because PJM interpreted its tariff to not allow for a resource submission given a change in entity type. But instead of simply defending the tariff, PJM acknowledged the issue and supported a fix if the also supported waiver wasn't granted. FERC granted the complaint to fix the issue generally rather than a one off. While the stakeholder process - and all the interests that are encompassed therein - can make agreement to a change like this more difficult, the complaint and waiver processes are paths that can and should be used especially where time matters. One of the most critical things for those administering the rules to understand is: a delay is not harmless, a "comeback next time" is not without victims. Many projects have to have all elements align to move forward. Other issues may be more durable but can add needless costs to consumers, and those add up. This "how can we work with parties" approach is great to see and hopefully we'll see more of it. From capacity markets to interconnections, there is a lot of room for win-wins. Also, great to see Commissioner Rosner's name on these. #energy

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As we incorporate more renewable energy into New York's energy mix, we also much upgrade our grid to accommodate larger electricity loads. One way we're doing this is by installing Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology. DLR enables us to deliver more clean energy with greater efficiency by providing real-time data that our operators can use to maximize line capacity and safely move power to where it is needed most, especially during extreme weather. We recently deployed Line Vision’s DLR on four 115kV transmission lines in Western New York. This is the largest operationalization of an innovative line rating technology in the United States and the first in New York. As utilities think about increased electric demand as part of the clean energy transition, DLR is a gamechanger for ensuring that supply is moving where it is needed as efficiently as possible. National Grid is proud to work with companies that share our dedication to accelerating a stronger, smarter, and cleaner energy system. This project is an exciting step forward, and we look forward to building on this progress to develop the infrastructure necessary for a sustainable future.

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The new #ERCOT mandate can become a pressing issue but we are here to help! Please reach out to explore how we can help!

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AEP’s 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report is out!

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On the latest United States Energy Association Power Sector Podcast, GridStor VP of Policy & Strategy Jason Burwen joined journalist Herman Trabish to discuss the evolution of utility-scale battery storage in the U.S. and key challenges--particularly the rationing of scarce interconnections and the slow-down in completing related transmission network upgrades--that policymakers can address to increase storage deployments. Find full episode links to YouTube and Spotify at https://lnkd.in/gvUY6WaN #PowerSector #Energy #USEA #PodcastGuest #EnergySystems #AmericanEnergy #EnergyReliability #UtilityScale #BatteryEnergyStorage #GridStor

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