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Distributed generation

Commercial DG: Case for Financeable Contracts

Byline: 

Nicholas Giannasca

Let's review factors influencing the development of distributed generation, with an emphasis on the need for financeable and deployable contracts on which DG can be financed, constructed and operated.
Image: 
"Hosts should consider the unbalanced allocation of risk and liability in the material terms and conditions and negotiate accordingly." – Nicholas Giannasca
Author Bio: 

Nicholas Giannasca is a partner in the Energy and Environmental Practice Group of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. In his 28 years of practicing, he has represented developers and hosts of commercial distributed generation facilities.

Category (Actual): 
Distributed Generation & Microgrids

DG lenders and developers should consider standardizing a model form of energy service agreement.

PPL CEO Interviewed

Byline: 

Bill Spence, with Steve Mitnick

What are the most exciting things happening at PPL? What were the biggest challenges in that journey? Were there some tough challenges you had to get through?
Author Bio: 

Bill Spence joined PPL in 2006 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was named president and CEO in 2011, and chairman in 2012. Previously, he served nineteen years with Pepco Holdings in senior management positions.

Category (Actual): 
Distributed Generation & Microgrids
Cybersecurity, Reliability & CIP
Strategy & Planning
Mergers & Acquisitions

We went to Allentown and talked with Bill Spence.

Microgrid Milestones

Top 5 developments of 2013.
Michael T. Burr, Public Utilities Fortnightly
One of the most interesting trends of 2013 was the rise of microgrids. While the hype overshadows the reality of actual projects, several key developments have set the stage for growth.
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Demand Growth and the New Normal

Byline: 

Ahmad Faruqui and Eric Shultz

Magazine Volume: 
Fortnightly Magazine - December 2012

It’s tempting to attribute the recent slowdown in electricity demand growth entirely to the Great Recession, but consumption growth rates have been declining for at least 50 years. The new normal rate of demand growth likely will be about half of its historic value, with demand rising by less than 1 percent per year. This market plateau calls for a new utility strategy.

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Figure 1 - Electricity Sales Growth (Two-Decade Distributions)
Figure 2 - Cumulative Demand Growth (2010-2035)
Figure 3 - Arc of Price Responsiveness
Figure 4 - Impact of Codes and Standards on Electricity Consumption
Figure 5 - Efficiency Gains of ENERGY STAR Qualified Models
Figure 6 - ERCOT Loads in Texas (3/9/11 and 8/3/11)
Author Bio: 

Ahmad Faruqui is a principal at The Brattle Group, and Eric Shultz is a research analyst. This article was revised from Faruqui’s presentation at the Goldman Sachs Power & Utility Conference on Aug. 14, 2012. The authors acknowledge research assistance by Jennifer Palmer.

Category (Actual): 
DR & Conservation
Strategy & Planning
AMI (Smart Meters)

Five forces are putting the squeeze on electricity consumption.