Reforming the Energy Vision: CNYC Newsletter

 

New York State and City are in the throws of reforming their energy vision. Is your coop or condo board aware of this movement that will affect the pricing and opportunities available to improve your energy use?

Earlier this year, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) released a concept paper setting forth their proposal to transform New York’s electric industry aptly entitled, “Reforming the Energy Vision” (REV). The basic premise is to enable increased distributed energy resources in the planning and operation of the electric system “that will be coordinated by the utilities to better manage load, optimize system operations and provide clean distributed power generation”.

Multiple factors make reform essential, even dire. There is the increasing gap between base load electric use and peak demand now as high as 140%.  The impending closure of Indian Point nuclear power plant will remove over 2,000 MW of generation. New York’s electricity generation infrastructure is aging with over 14,000 MW (megawatt) of non-hydro generation facilities over 40 years old. Carbon reduction rules to mitigate climate change require increased clean energy production. And, the power loss during Hurricane Sandy hit home the benefits of distributed generation that interacts but is not totally dependent on the utility grid.

Inherent in these threats are the opportunities that make REV feasible. The system transformation outlined in REV will take place over many years but most immediately seeks to increase New York’s distributed energy resource (DER) asset base. The DERs are nothing new; simply measures that have been receiving incentives from PSC and other funds for several years: end-use energy efficiency, demand response, distributed storage and distributed generation such as solar, co-generation and wind power.

The PSC identifies six policy objectives of the REV:

  • To enhance customer knowledge and tools to enable customers to manage their energy bills and provide more choice in how they use energy;
  • To animate the market and leverage ratepayer contributions;
  • To promote system-wide efficiency;
  • To increase fuel and resource diversity;
  • To enhance system reliability and resiliency; and
  • To reduce carbon emissions.

No one can dispute the value of these REV objectives that will increase choice and end user options but they require end user knowledge and participation.

The REV states that, “Efforts to modernize the power system require a new focus on customers as actively engaged partners.” The question for coop boards, managers and owners is are you aware of REV? Do you have plans to become more engaged and suggestions at to what tools you need to involve your owners?

CNYC is here to provide information as the REV progresses. Stay tuned.

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