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Incisive commentary from RAP experts
RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
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September 25, 2017
The future of network regulation: Let’s pay consumers to support the grid
- Edith Bayer
The very fabric of modern economies and the challenge to ensure that our energy systems evolve to provide reliable, affordable, clean energy for us, our children, and grandchildren is at stake in Europe this year, explains Edith Bayer. How much… View Summary +
September 21, 2017
A Pragmatic Proposal for Supplier Compensation
- Philip Baker
The European Commission has proposed that independent aggregators should not be required anymore to pay compensation to suppliers, as is the case in many EU member states today. According to Philip Baker this proposal should be supported, as it will… View Summary +
August 7, 2017
With Sinking Storage Costs, Big-Box Solar Could Really Take Off
- Jim Lazar
We know that Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Ikea, Kohl’s, and other big-box retailers have installed a lot of rooftop solar. They’ve mostly been doing so under net metering rules, and paying the demand charges for their net load on utilities… View Summary +
June 8, 2017
Supplier Compensation: European Commission and US FERC See Eye to Eye
- Philip Baker
Energy suppliers are lobbying against a proposal from the European Commission to remove barriers to demand response schemes, writes Philip Baker. According to Baker, the Commission should stick with its proposal. Demand response, he argues, will bring great savings to… View Summary +
June 1, 2017
Proposed Electricity Directive a Step in the Right Direction for Customers, Demand Response
- Philip Baker
Explicit demand response, where aggregators enable small commercial and domestic consumers to directly participate in the wholesale power market by flexing their demand, is a vital resource in the transition to a sustainable electricity system. However, barriers to the successful… View Summary +
June 1, 2017
Big Thinking from a Small State
Once in a while, it can be interesting to take a deep look at what one state is doing in the power sector reform arena. New York, California, and others get a lot of attention. But the small state of… View Summary +
June 1, 2017
Spotting Opportunities to Innovate
Two years ago, RAP produced a Menu of Options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector for the National Association of Clean Air Agencies. The report contains 26 detailed chapters, 25 of which look at proven… View Summary +
March 7, 2017
Preparing for Emergencies with Wind, Solar, Energy Storage, and Microgrids
- John Shenot
Resilience is a character trait that is universally admired and respected in people. In recent years, it has also gained attention as a new imperative for infrastructure planning and development. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and other recent natural… View Summary +
February 9, 2017
Utilities Can Get a “LEG” Up with Beneficial Electrification—But Regulators Also Have to be Ready
- Ken Colburn ,
- Richard Sedano
In a series of blog posts over the last several weeks, RAP has spotlighted the opportunities associated with beneficial electrification—the practice of electrifying appliances and machines that are currently powered by fossil fuels. Embracing beneficial electrification provides a significant opportunity… View Summary +
February 1, 2017
Beneficial Electrification: A Growth Opportunity
- Ken Colburn
In the first blog post in this series, we observed that rapid power sector transformation presents challenges but also opportunities for utilities. As older, inflexible resources are retired, cleaner, more distributed resources are being deployed by companies and customers… View Summary +