PUF's Report on Affordability
What is energy affordability? Who is most vulnerable to energy costs? How might the energy system transformation affect the vulnerable? What can we do to materially assist the vulnerable?
Data Center Demand: Six-Minute Overview
There's clearly a steep demand surge driven by data center growth, and from other new manufacturing. But it's not clear at all how utilities and utility regulation will respond.
In six minutes. That's the time it takes to watch this engaging video of Steve Waller's overview of the challenge and paths forward.
There're two Steves actually in the video. Public Utilities Fortnightly's Steve Mitnick asks his typically lively questions and Guidehouse's Steve Waller walks us through this critical topic. Who knew data center demand could be as interesting as it is important?
Champions for Change
One Hundred Forty Years and Counting
“This year’s annual meeting was not only a unique forum for robust exchange of ideas and insights with one another, it was also a celebration of the exceptional level of commitment and the high quality of collective effort of our members and industry partners.”
Navigating Energy Transition Pathways
A Look Back
“Since the column's inception in November 2022, we have witnessed vast geopolitical shifts, a global realignment of energy priorities, and a rise in pragmatic regional goals. There have been ambitious goals set, complex challenges grappled with, and practical considerations made. What has become increasingly clear is that the clean energy transition will be multifaceted and rooted in local context.”
Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector
Opportunities, Challenges, and Best Practices
“Regulatory frameworks around AI and cybersecurity will mature, requiring ongoing assessments and updates to cybersecurity strategies to help AI systems remain secure and trustworthy.”
Picture Energy: 2024 Energy Efficiency Awards
Alliance to Save Energy
The most distinguished members of the energy efficiency community came together at the Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Dinner held by the Alliance to Save Energy.
What Happens Next in the Courts, Part 3
Will the Open Internet Order Survive Appeal?
“Perhaps the most critical issue on review will be whether the FCC properly reclassified Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) as a telecommunications service, because the FCC has much more limited authority to regulate information services.”
Customer-Sited Generation
A Flexible Grid Resource
“In the past ten years, we’ve deployed over 200 MW at more than 150 microgrid sites across the greater Houston community and even before Beryl hit, the Network Operations Center was ready to support local utilities in keeping the lights on as they worked to restore power.”
Energy Provider's Dilemma: On-Time or Affordable Transition?
Accenture
“We asked, ‘How much are you willing to absorb on your utility bill to support achieving net zero?’ They said 9% per year. We backed 9% into investment needed over time, and that 2050 net-zero goalpost gets moved to 2085, illustrating the tension between net zero by 2050 and customer affordability.”
An Agile Utility in New England Enhances Its CIS
Eversource, EY
“Our primary goal was continuity for our customers as we went live. Going from a twenty-plus-year-old system to a modern system, requires moving data. That typically requires taking systems offline, which would’ve impacted customers.”