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Law & Lawyers

Response to Two Articles Re: Grid Resilience

A general response to the articles by Michael Deggendorf and by Paul Afonso, Lauren Azar, Dian Grueneich, James Hoecker in our August 2016 issue

Two articles in the August 2016 issue made the irrefutable case that we need to shore up grid resilience. I can’t argue with those measures. But I’m not sure that they are getting to the root of the problem. Perhaps we need to spend more time asking whether small decentralized systems can accomplish the same end as the large systems.
Byline: 

Leonard Hyman

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Active Grid

Where Smart Energy Meets Internet of Things

Imagine what could be achieved if the current modernized grid evolved to be even more dynamic, a complete solution encompassing electricity, gas and water.
Byline: 

Philip Mezey

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Response to Cicchetti Re: Net Metering

A response to the letter by Charles Cicchetti in our April 2016 issue, which was a response to the letter by Ashley Brown in our February 2016 issue.

As Ashley Brown correctly stated in his letter, large-scale solar projects produce electricity at roughly half the cost of that produced by rooftop solar. Charlie states that customers installing rooftop solar are: “… paying to reduce dependence on greenhouse gases and to expand societal benefits ....” Not exactly.
Byline: 

Robert Borlick

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Finishing Transmission Planning Reforms

No Way to Get There Without FERC Acting Now

Ineffective interregional transmission policies, not technical or economic barriers, are the chief factors holding up the construction of new interstate transmission. This will not change without FERC intervention.
Byline: 

Betsy Beck

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Response to Borlick Re: Order 745

A response to the article by Robert Borlick in our July 2016 Issue

Bob Borlick took to task FERC, Charlie Cicchetti and the Supreme Court in the context of FERC Order 745. Bob’s key point is his view that “Order 745 overcompensates demand response.” Bob’s argument starts from an implicit but false premise.
Byline: 

Dr. Michael Rosenzweig

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A Mindset to Mimic

What if Utilities Were Lead Like Amazon?

Reflect for a moment on the Amazon story. Yes, it’s a different type of business. But take careful note of how their leader’s mindset has shaped the outcomes.
Byline: 

Roger Woodworth

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Energy People: Bill Hederman

We talked with Bill Hederman, who has just left government service as senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Through early July, Bill Hederman was senior advisor to Dr. Ernie Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and counselor to the director of energy policy and systems analysis. Bill began his career as a systems integration engineer at Bell Labs in the directorate that later developed the cell phone system.
Byline: 

Bill Hederman, with Steve Mitnick

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