Category Archives: grid modernization

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 19, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Connecticut PURA Grid Modernization Order
  • Vineyard Wind CEO sees both New London and Bridgeport as viable wind hubs

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut PURA Grid Modernization Order
On October 4, 2019, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (Authority) established Docket No. 17-12-03RE06 to investigate the topic of interconnection standards and practices of the Connecticut electric distribution companies (EDCs) and potential ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the EDC’s current interconnection standards, processes, and procedures. 

The Authority originally posted the attached Notice of Solutions Days and Request for Presentations and Information (also here) in Docket No. 17-12-03RE06 on October 31, 2019. Technical meetings will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 9:00 a.m

The Day: “Vineyard Wind CEO sees both New London and Bridgeport as viable wind hubs”

CPES Policy Committee Update: October 8, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • PURA Announces New Framework for Grid Modernization
  • Three Bids Submitted for Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Source
  • New Report Finds CT #6 in Nation for Energy Efficiency
  • Developer Breaks Ground on New Energy Efficient Data Hub
  • ISO-NE 2020 Annual Work Plan Now Available
  • Summer 2019 Saw the Lowest Regional Grid Electricity Use in at Least 16 Years

CONNECTICUT

PURA Announces New Framework for Grid Modernization
PURA released an Interim Decision that details the Authority’s Framework approach to investigate methods for equitably modernizing the electric grid in Connecticut.  PURA splits its Framework into near-term topics for further investigation within the next two years, as well as, a long-term plan to ensure continued enhancements to Connecticut’s electric grid through a biennial integrated distribution system planning process. Press release

Three Bids Submitted for Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Source
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s recent request for proposals for up to 2,000 MW of offshore wind power has attracted three bids.

New Report Finds CT #6 in Nation for Energy Efficiency
In the annual report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Connecticut ranked 6 overall for its efforts supporting energy efficiency.  More here.

CT News Junkie: Developer Breaks Ground on New Energy Efficient Data Hub

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE 2020 Annual Work Plan Now Available
ISO’s work plan, published each September and updated each spring, outlines major priorities and activities for the year that are designed to improve upon existing ISO systems, practices, and services to New England.  Learn more here.

Summer 2019 Saw the Lowest Regional Grid Electricity Use in at Least 16 Years
In a new article, ISO discusses that despite a hot July, New England saw the lowest summer season grid demand and the second lowest wholesale pricing since 2003.  Learn more here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 26, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Energy & Technology Committee Public Hearing Feb 26
  • Governor Lamont Introduces Two Energy Bills
  • ISO-NE Publishes 2019 “State of the Grid” Media Briefing Materials
  • Registration Open for ISO Webinars: FCM Show of Interest for New Demand Resources and FCM Show of Interest for New Generation and Imports

CONNECTICUT

LEGISLATIVE
ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
The Energy & Technology Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly will hold a public hearing on February 26 at 1:45 PM.  Agenda 

The Bill Record Book, which contains House and Senate Energy bills, is available here.

CONNECTICUT
GOVERNOR LAMONT INTRODUCES TWO ENERGY BILLS
As part of the 2019 Legislative Proposal from Governor Lamont’s administration, two energy bills address offshore wind energy procurements and energy efficiency standards:
SB 875, An Act Expanding Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Energy Portfolio
HB 7151, An Act Concerning Energy Efficiency Standards

 

ISO-NE PUBLISHES 2019 “STATE OF THE GRID” MEDIA BRIEFING MATERIALS
ISO New England President and CEO Gordon van Welie updated reporters on the state of the region’s power system during a media briefing on February 20, 2019. The presentation and remarks are now available on ISO’s website.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR ISO WEBINARS: FCM SHOW OF INTEREST FOR NEW DEMAND RESOURCES AND FCM SHOW OF INTEREST FOR NEW GENERATION AND IMPORTS
These webinars will inform prospective project sponsors and market participants about the requirements and submittal process for the Show of Interest (SOI) for the fourteenth Forward Capacity Auction (FCA #14) to be held in February 2020 for the 2023-2024 Capacity Commitment Period. Register now.

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 6, 2018

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • U.S. DOE Proposes New Approach to Classification of Grid-Related Information
  • ISO-NE Continues Progress on Energy Storage Integration
  • New ISO-NE Webinar Posted: Forward Capacity Market Substitution Auction for FCA #13
  • Department of Energy Announces $53 Million in New Projects to Advance Solar
  • FERC Acts on Cyber Security Risks with New Supply Chain-Related Reliability Standards
  • FuelCell Inks Power Agreement for Hartford Project

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

U.S. DOE PROPOSES NEW APPROACH TO CLASSIFICATION OF GRID-RELATED INFORMATION
The Energy Department has proposed a new system for labeling sensitive information about the electric grid and other energy systems. The proposed rule works to align the agency’s CEII process with rules at FERC. See the Federal Register notice for more information and instructions on submitting public comment.

ISO-NE CONTINUES PROGRESS ON ENERGY STORAGE INTEGRATION  
Plans for implementing ISO-NE’s new rules for energy storage devices  are now available on ISO’s webpage for the Energy Storage Device project, which will allow participants with grid-sized storage technologies to offer the full range of their asset’s capability in the regulation market while continuing to operate as a dispatchable energy market resource.

NEW ISO-NE WEBINAR POSTED: FORWARD CAPACCITY MARKET SUBSTITUTION AUCTION FOR FCA #13
The presentation and recording of the October 11, 2018, Forward Capacity Market Substitution Auction for FCA #13 webinar are now available on the ISO website.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES $53 MILLION IN NEW PROJECTS TO ADVANCE SOLAR
TechnologiesThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for up to $53 million in new projects to advance early-stage solar technologies. There were 53 projects chosen, which span across 21 states. More

FERC ACTS ON CYBER SECURITY RISKS WITH NEW SUPPLY CHAIN-RELATED RELIABILITY STANDARDS
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved new mandatory Reliability Standards to bolster supply chain risk management protections. The standards are aimed at mitigating cyber security risks. More

CONNECTICUT

FUELCELL INKS POWER AGREEMENT FOR HARTFORD PROJECT
FuelCell Energy Inc. announced Thursday it signed long-term power purchase agreements with local utilities to cover a 7.4-megawatt project in Hartford. PURA will grant final authorization of the agreements. More

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 21, 2018

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • PURA Hearing on Millstone “At-Risk” Determination
  • Request for Comments in PURA’s Grid Modernization Docket
  • PURA Docket No. 18-08-14: Review of the Combined Heat and Power Project Solicitation

CONNECTICUT

PURA HEARING ON MILLSTONE “AT-RISK” DETERMINIATION
On Wednesday, August 29th at 10:00 a.m., PURA will hold a hearing to review Dominion’s petition to be deemed an “existing resource confirmed at risk”, for purposes of the DEEP RFP.  More information is available in the Notice of Hearing.

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS IN PURA’s GRID MODERNIZATION DOCKET 
Comments are due August 22nd to PURA under Docket #17-12-03 “PURA Investigation into Distribution System Planning of the Electric Distribution Companies.  The request for written comment poses a series of questions regarding distributed energy resources, electrification, and distribution system planning that PURA is seeking public input on. 

PURA DOCKET NO. 18-08-14: REVIEW OF THE COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PROJECT SOLICITATION  
On August 7, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 18-08-14: PURA Review of the Combined Heat and Power Project Solicitation Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-258e