Apr 28, 2016

ScottMadden Joins SEPA to Build Momentum for Change with 51st State Initiative

ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading energy consulting firms, recently joined energy industry thought leaders at The 51st State Phase II Summit in Denver, CO.
 
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) launched the 51st State Initiative to offer a platform for the power sector to discuss the future of the electric industry. The objective is to identify equitable business models and integrated grid structures to successfully incorporate solar, storage, demand response, and other distributed energy resources. Phase II focused on the development of specific roadmaps that showed how we get from “here” to “there,” considering various paths that could work for a variety of states or market conditions that are all headed in the same general direction.
 
The invitation-only event included an engaging discussion on the roadmaps detailing potential changes to retail market design, wholesale market design, utility business models, information technology, asset deployment, and rates and regulation.
 
One theme identified across roadmaps was the transition to utility business models. During the Summit, Chris Vlahoplus, partner and clean tech & sustainability practice leader at ScottMadden, participated in a panel discussing this topic. Additional speakers included Ralph Izzo of PSEG, Allen Mosher of American Public Power Association, and H. Edwin Overcast of Black & Veatch. Speakers examined how utilities should be compensated, clarified and defined roles of markets and regulated businesses, and discussed ways to create stable policy moving forward.
 
“With the 51st State Initiative, SEPA is facilitating thoughtful discussion focused on the integration and impact of distributed energy resources,” said Mr. Vlahoplus. “In our roadmap, we outline how the natural advantages of the utility can be leveraged to facilitate this transition.”
 
To review our Phase II roadmap, please click here. To review all Phase II roadmap submissions, please click here. To learn how we are helping our clients to understand the changing landscape, please contact us.
 
The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
 
ScottMadden, Inc.