This piece was originally published in Energy Biz Magazine's print edition.
There is a dynamic 21st century energy system growing rapidly. The architects and builders are governors, legislative leaders, public utility commissioners and executives of innovative energy companies.
Topics: 21st Century Electricity System
In the past couple of months, I have had the opportunity to participate in two exciting conversations about the future of electric power in this country.
In Maryland, at the Wye River Conference Center, the Aspen Institute convened a roundtable on “developing a smart energy network.” That convening included industry leaders and thinkers from the information and communication technology (ICT) and energy sectors. Our discussion focused on identifying ways our one-way system of electricity generation and distribution can be transformed into an integrated ICT network where energy, information and economic value are exchanged at every point. That is the full vision of “smart grid,” and we have a long way to go to see it realized.
In San Antonio, TX, I took part in the second Utility and Advanced Energy Executive Forum sponsored by AEE and MIT’s Industrial Performance Center (IPC). We brought together leaders of electric utilities, regulatory agencies, and advanced energy businesses to discuss how new technologies and services can be adopted more rapidly. These Forums are hosted on the AEE side by chairman and co-founder Hemant Taneja and Senior Vice President Lisa Frantzis, and by energy innovation expert Richard Lester for MIT-IPC. It was an engaging group, with leaders of companies like PSEG, Northeast Utilities, NextEra, and NRG interacting with advanced energy innovators like CLEAResult, Gridco Systems and First Solar. A third forum is scheduled for next month in Aspen.
These forums are highlighting the need not only for utilities, regulators and advanced energy companies to know each other better, but also to reconcile conflicting incentives and business models. To reap the full benefit of advanced energy innovation, the electricity system in this country is going to have to change. It will take utilities, developers, advanced energy executives, legislators, and regulators, working together, to make that change happen.
Topics: 21st Century Electricity System
Welcome to the Advanced Energy Economy blog. This space on the AEE.net website is the new home of the weekly Policy and Government Affairs update – see Tom Plant’s state policy report posted here – as well our summary of the News of the Week. You will still be able to get those features through the AEE Weekly newsletter as well. We wouldn’t want you to miss them!