The strength of our foundations will be both a theme and a measure of resilience in 2017. As considerable changes permeate the federal landscape and seep into our economic, environmental, social and energy spheres, the foundations upon which historic clean energy growth has been built will be put to the test.
State and local governments will remain at the epicenter of clean energy deployment and policy innovation. Policies and regulations that served as foundations for impressive growth trends for renewables, energy efficiency and distributed energy resources (DERs) will persist as paramount. Heightened demand for fair access to advanced energy technologies, smarter systems and cutting edge innovations will accompany proposals addressing equity, consumer protection and empowerment.
Seamlessly incorporating new DERs on the electric grid, while ensuring grid safety and reliability, will enhance the focus on the grid's foundational functions. We expect an uptick in new interconnection proceedings, in response to pressures and procedural challenges associated with a surge in grid-connected DERs. Revamping outdated interconnection standards and processes to align them with proven models and well-vetted procedures will be the key to avoiding grid-lock.
More states will tackle comprehensive grid modernization, shifting the focus toward optimizing DERs on the grid. "Integrated distribution planning" will gain more traction as a strategy to enable smarter DER growth. Adopting this more holistic planning approach, as begun in New York and California, will help pinpoint the most optimal locations for DERs, avoid costly upgrades to the grid, and enable non-wires alternatives. Distribution system planning is the new frontier for efficient and cost effective DER integration; robust hosting capacity analyses along with accurate DER forecasting will be the building blocks for success.
Lastly, state commissions will continue to address the foundational issues of rate design and DER valuation. As attempts to alter net metering continue, how this core policy evolves will have ripple effects across markets, and will also impact other solar access policies, i.e., for shared renewables and multifamily solar.
As states continue investigations of the value of DERs, enhanced pressure from all sides will encourage accuracy. In 2017 we'll see the emergence of more granular, location-based DER pricing schemes. And we expect more states to address the bigger elephant in the room: the utility business model.
In the face of future uncertainties, may our foundations prove to be both robust and resilient.
This content originally appeared on January 5, 2017 in Utility Dive
Predictions 2017: 5 takes on what the new year will bring for renewable energy.
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and private funds to produce the success stories you've come to depend on since 1982. Join our corporate sponsors and individual donors who
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The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization proud of its national reputation for independent, unique expertise and unbiased, thought-leading publications and resources. Our sponsors understand that IREC's important work is in no way influenced by the generosity of their tax-deductible donation.
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Join us as we celebrate our 35th anniversary and duly honor the legendary accomplishments of our esteemed colleague and very own energy hero, Jane Weissman,
March 8, 2017 at an evening reception in Washington, DC.
Ticket information
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Jane Weissman - the catalyst for much of IREC's success over the past two decades - is a true trailblazer in the renewable energy arena. She made possible much of IREC's transformational accomplishments. As a result, millions more of us now enjoy safe, simple, affordable access to clean renewable energy, while new tools empower us with information and confidence.
We're looking forward to celebrating with you in DC in March!
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Image: ReadyTalk |
In 2016, IREC awarded 48 new credentials to high quality clean energy training providers and instructors across the country.
"IREC applauds these new credential holders for their commitment to high quality training and continuous improvement," said Laure-Jeanne Davignon, director of IREC Workforce and Credentialing. "Their successful pursuit of the IREC credential puts them in the ranks of the most outstanding training providers who lead our growing clean energy industry." More
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City of Kennedale
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As building plan reviewers, building and electrical inspectors, and other code officials work to keep pace with
the swift acceleration of solar installations in their jurisdictions,
one thing is for sure. Updated, job-focused professional training is critical, including the latest best practices for permitting plan review processes.
In response, IREC created a new in-person Solar Permitting Plan Review Course specifically for local building and electrical code officials, which piloted in three states this month, the first of more than 40 such solar trainings planned in 2017 across the U.S.
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Image: Expartus
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What good are timelines if they're not followed? How do you make sure that everyone - both applicants and utilities - do what they're supposed to do on time? In this third article in an interconnection series, we discuss the value of timelines and why having clear rules for enforcement that avoid confusion and keep the interconnection queue moving ensure the grid keeps humming along with safe and reliable electricity to us all.
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January 31-February 2, 2017
San Diego Convention Center
For the second year, GEARED (Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment) faculty and students will have a strong presence at DistribuTECH 2017. Three opportunities for utilities, industry and academia to interact through the GEARED network, administered by IREC:
- Mega conference session on initiatives that utilities are using to develop a competent 21st century workforce and strategies that address hiring challenges.
- Poster session where 50 students will be on hand to discuss their research on power systems, smart grid and distributed technology topics.
- One-on-one interactions with students and faculty at booth #4508 on the exhibition floor. More
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of note...
Last month, IREC and other members from DOE's Solar Market Pathways (SMP) team,
shared valuable and practical tools and resources for communities that want to go solar. IREC's Sara Baldwin Auck gave the overview of the newly created Community Solar Toolkit. SMP team members
Vito Greco, Elevate Energy; Kate Bowman, Utah Clean Energy; and Allison Silverman, CUNY presented inspired
case studies and innovative tools and approaches to stimulate community solar projects and programs across diverse markets. More webinars are in the queue for 2017. The complete list of community solar tools and resources, including several from IREC, can be found on the SMP website.
For the first time, IREC and the GEARED consortia, with industry support from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), will attend TechAdvantage 2017, the annual technology conference for electric utility co-op professionals. A number of activities are planned for the GEARED student network.
- Students from MARMET consortium university partners will present their research to a panel of judges in a poster session on February 28. The winning student will be recognized at an award ceremony on March 1.
- GEARED students and faculty will tour the microgrid lab at UC-San Diego.
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ABOUT IREC
IREC is a nationally recognized thought leader, stakeholder coordinator, expert resource and facilitator of regulatory reform and workforce development. Our work expands consumer access to clean energy; generates information and objective analysis grounded in best practices and standards; and leads national efforts to build a quality-trained clean energy workforce. IREC's programs and policies benefit consumers, policymakers, utilities and the clean energy industry.
IREC is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on the generosity of donors, sponsors and program funder support. http://www.irecusa.org
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Disclaimer
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Read the full Disclaimer.
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