Expertise
- Transmission and distribution policy
- Smart grid
- Advanced metering
- Integration of renewables and distributed generation
- Non-transmission alternatives
Transmission
As renewable supply sources become an increasing share of the electric supply portfolio, transmission policies, access rules and pricing become important determinants of how and to what extent renewables are able to supplant emitting resources. As new transmission is required to access remote renewable supplies, the rules and policies surrounding transmission expansion will play a key role in fostering renewable access to markets. RAP provides technical assistance and policy advice to decision-makers on transmission planning/siting, pricing and smart grid policies – all important links in expanding renewable supply opportunities.
Featured Work
Unlocking the Smart Grid's Potential
The smart grid holds great potential but smart grid investments will be cost-effective only if their benefits outweigh the substantial costs. Regulators and consumers need to know how the smart grid will deliver these benefits and make electric bills more manageable. Policies must support clean distributed resources and at the highest policy level, regulators should recognize that energy and environmental goals are interlocked.
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Renewable Resources: Exploring the Best of the West
RAP works with the Western Governors’ Association on the Western Renewable Energy Zones (WREZ) project, which funded by the US Department of Energy.
Learn MoreClean First: Aligning Regulation with Environmental Goals
Power sector regulators will play a vital role in efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the years ahead. Neither carbon taxes nor cap-and-trade policies alone will achieve the sizeable reductions of GHG emissions that are needed. RAP proposes that in regulatory decisions, clean resources should get every reasonable preference over resources that have greater environmental impact.
Learn MoreRenewable Gains and Challenges
While non-hydro renewable resources still only account for some 2 percent of China’s installed generation fleet, renewable energy in China has skyrocketed over the last decade.
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