Pace Energy and Climate Center

28 Oct 2018

Revisiting Bonbright’s Principles of Public Utility Rates in a DER World

Author: Karl R. Rábago, Radina Valova

Topics: Energy, Utility, Utility Reform,

States: National,

Resource Type: New Article

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: This article originally appeared in The Electricity Journal, Volume 1, Issue 8, pp. 9-13 (October 2018), available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1040619018302276. Reprinted with permission from The Electricity Journal and Elsevier under a Creative Commons license: Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. Full license terms: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode. Abstract: Professor James Bonbright’s Principles of Public Utility Rates, first published in 1961, was built around a model of vertically integrated electricity monopolies and approached ratemaking largely as an exercise in balancing the interests of capital attraction with those of...

18 Oct 2018

Supplemental comments about PURPA

Author: Karl Rabago, Radina Valova, SELC, ELPC

Topics: Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Solar, Utility,

States: National,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: Many states and utilities fail to comply with existing PURPA regulations. Is PURPA still relevant and necessary today? Calls to reform PURPA ignore the remaining barriers to market entry that qualifying facilities face and overstate the need for reform.

12 Oct 2018

NESEMC Technical Report

Author: Karl Rabago

Topics: Solar,

States: Northeast,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: The Northeast Solar Energy Market Coalition was a unique coalition of state-level solar business association organized to bring a regional emphasis to solar market development in the Northeast. The focus of the Coalition’s work was (1) to comprehensively map, monitor, and report solar market conditions and developments in the Northeast through the establishment and updating of a website, nesemc.com; (2) to track and provide support as requested on solar-related projects, demonstrations, and other initiatives in the region; (3) to develop and engage with Coalition members and key solar market stakeholders through an outreach and education program centered on the market development topics of highest priority to members; and (4) to develop t...

05 Oct 2018

Virginia's Proposed Regulations for Linking with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: Complexity, Innovation, and a Few Cautions

Author: Karl Rabago

Topics: Cap and Trade, Energy, RGGI,

States: Virginia,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: Virginia, and its governors in particular, deserve credit for taking on the complex issue of beginning to regulate carbon emissions from the power sector and other parts of the state economy. They have adopted an innovative approach based on a consignment method to accomplish these objectives. The approach has the consequence of added administrative complexity as compared to simpler models used in other states. Discussed here is the consignment method, its complexities, and an offering of a few cautions.

19 Mar 2018

A Distributed Energy Amenable Grid

Author: Thomas Bourgeois, Pearl Gray, Radina Valova

Topics: DER, Utility,

States: National,

Resource Type: Policy Brief

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: Puerto Rico has the opportunity to rebuild its grid in a manner that makes the island more resilient. We find that PREPA can take action now to lay a strong foundation for distributed energy resources (DER) to integrate with the transmission & distribution system by making the right kind of capital equipment investments as it is being rebuilt. The future grid should be designed to accommodate far greater penetration of DER and ought to have the functionality to utilize DER as dynamic assets, supporting the grid. If PREPA fails to take actions to accommodate DER and beneficially utilize their grid support capabilities, it could face grid defection, and forego opportunities to significantly improve grid performance, productivity, and syst...