Strategy & Planning

Fourteen Guidehouse experts hit their buzzers and answer our questions: Hector Artze, Dan Bradley, Michelle Fay, Lisa Frantzis, Nicole Reed Fry, Ben Grunfeld, Derek Jones, Robyn Link, Chris Luras, Macky McCleary, David O’Brien, Molly Podolefsky, Danielle Vitoff, and Ted Walker.

“It’s resource adequacy, supply chain headwinds, and also market development. Those are the key issues in the west, regardless of whether you’re a state with clean-energy policies or not.”

“The secret that not everyone knows is, for many of these critical minerals, the U.S. has them here domestically. They can be found in different sources across the country. But can they be recovered in a way that’s environmentally friendly and can compete on cost?“

Utilities in the present aim to be fleet of foot. For them, nimble is a common buzzword. Fail fast is another.

“Working collaboratively has broad benefits. It can help utilities genuinely understand the needs of the communities they serve, so they can make more effective investments and act as partners in building more equitable, just communities.”

Panelists discuss technologies, financing options, and regulatory mechanisms states have pursued to break down barriers to facilitate microgrid development.

“How do you create the balance between the necessary upgrades and the anticipatory upgrades you need to do? That’s on the mind of all regulators. We think about threading the needle.”

“Utilities and regulators need to address in language that’s clear to customers about who’s accessing their data, why, and how it benefits customers.”

“The need to secure social acceptance of the energy transition is pushing policymakers and energy companies to engage with previously unnoticed social aspects of energy policy. The energy transition won’t happen if energy democratization doesn’t happen.”

“Electricity is bringing people together. Electricity is part of world peace and that is something we can all embrace.”