Opinion

The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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  • Person in a house holding an energy efficiency mobile app on screen
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    simpson33 via Getty Images
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    Why is it becoming harder to cancel utility demand response programs than it is to cancel cable?

    As innovative DR solutions continue to emerge and mature, fostering a robust DR marketplace in which customers can easily sign up for these new opportunities will be crucial for advancing the distributed energy economy.

    Collin Smith • Dec. 4, 2023
  • An artistic rendering of a building which is transitioning from fossil fuel use to renewable sources like solar panels
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    Oliver de la Haye via Getty Images
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    The US could still get to net-zero

    The U.S. could reduce nearly 90% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without any Hail Mary innovations.

    Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023
  • Solar panels and wind turbines generating renewable energy for green and sustainable future.
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    pidjoe via Getty Images
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    Customer experience and other barriers are delaying utilities’ ability to distribute clean energy

    The grid infrastructure is severely outdated in most regions, companies are facing a huge upskilling and reskilling challenge in their workforce, and customers are demanding more reliable and affordable clean electricity options.

    Natasha Dowling • Nov. 30, 2023
  • An illustration of utility-scale battery storage.
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    Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
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    Fire safety outreach is critical to energy storage development

    Some states may require stronger outreach around safety in exchange for other entitlements, including power purchase agreements and local permissions like zoning and fire code enforcement.

    Kelly Sarber and Scott M. Bryant • Nov. 29, 2023
  • Engineer sitting at a control panel in a nuclear power station.
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    Digital Vision. via Getty Images
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    Redeveloping retired coal sites into nuclear plants could benefit the planet and the economy

    In most regions, the retirement of coal plants will require replacing the power and grid services in some form to meet grid reliability and end-user needs.

    Caleb Tomlin • Nov. 27, 2023
  • A field of solar panels off of the roadside in Florida.
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    Glen Richard via Getty Images
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    The Southeast Energy Exchange Market launched a year ago. It still isn’t delivering on its promises.

    Over the past year, SEEM’s poor performance has proven its critics right and demonstrated that the energy trading platform is in dire need of a substantial overhaul if it is to be either lawful or beneficial.

    Nick Guidi and Chris Carmody • Nov. 22, 2023
  • GE-Hitachi BWRX-300 nuclear unit
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    Retrieved from GE Hitachi.
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    Wake up, America: 8 actions to boost advanced nuclear and enhance US energy security

    Advanced nuclear reactors are no longer our grandparents’ nuclear technology, but the American nuclear permitting apparatus hasn’t caught up, Rep. Byron Donalds writes.

    Byron Donalds • Nov. 21, 2023
  • A rooftop heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a large commercial building.
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    alacatr/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    How to finance the world’s growing cooling needs? Blended public-private funding solutions.

    On a massive scale, we need third-party private sector financing solutions and targeted funding from international development and government agencies to spur investment in higher efficiency cooling equipment.  

    Bob Hinkle • Nov. 20, 2023
  • A forest fire burns under a high voltage transmission line in California.
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    My Photo Buddy via Getty Images
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    Wildfire risks in the US are soaring. Here’s what utilities can do.

    To address the increasing risk of wildfire, utilities must embrace short- and long-term strategies that emphasize asset protection, real-time risk assessment and infrastructure investments.

    Judsen Bruzgul and Neil Weisenfeld • Nov. 17, 2023
  • Gas pipeline with multiple valves.
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    insagostudio via Getty Images
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    It’s past time for FERC to assess if the US needs more gas infrastructure

    If we build gas infrastructure blindly, one thing is certain: Rates we pay for energy will be neither just nor reasonable.

    Burçin Ünel and Jennifer Danis • Nov. 14, 2023
  • A rendering of electric power lines against the backdrop of a twilit sky
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    Imaginima via Getty Images
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    We need power market rules to reflect the grid as it is today, not as it was 70 years ago

    To allow competitive markets to fulfill their potentials, reforms will be required that prioritize reliability, efficient permitting, the integration of new commercially viable resources, and innovation.

    Todd Snitchler • Nov. 10, 2023
  • A young woman looks at the electricity bill
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    MStudioImages/E+ via Getty Images
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    The rate cases are coming: How will utility customers react?

    Strong customer opposition to current rate cases could leave utilities in the lurch when it comes to raising funds they need to make good on their promises to improve the safety and sustainability of their operations.

    Mark Spalinger • Nov. 9, 2023
  • A wide shot of cannabis in a greenhouse
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    Kimberly Delaney via Getty Images
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    Mandatory energy disclosures can aid collaboration and sustainability in the cannabis industry

    By embracing such disclosures, we can enhance the controlled environment agricultural industry, promote efficient energy use and bridge the gap between growers and regulators.

    Bob Gunn • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Salt flats and power lines along Highway 50 in Central Nevada
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    Tashka via Getty Images
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    How America’s grid modernization stakes echo Eisenhower’s interstate revolution

    Enacting sound policies that deliver a 21st century grid and spur interregional transmission development will drive tremendous economic and other benefits like our interstate highway system has done.

    Jose Zayas • Nov. 6, 2023
  • Electric vehicle, or EV, charging stations.
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    gerenme via Getty Images
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    Big power’s EV charging strategy: Raise rates, overpromise, underdeliver, repeat

    We grant publicly regulated utilities certain privileges in exchange for reliability and affordability. When they try to leverage that privilege to corner a new market, they deserve plenty of pushback.

    Jay Smith • Nov. 3, 2023
  • Rows of blue solar panels stretch into the desert horizon.
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    Retrieved from BLM California.
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    Diversify, domesticate and disrupt: Building a robust US solar supply chain

    Until the Inflation Reduction Act passed last year, the United States had no solar panel manufacturing policy. Now it has a flawed one.

    David M. Hart • Nov. 2, 2023
  • A glimpse at a windfarm in Wyoming, USA.
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    James Michael House via Getty Images
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    Is the least populated state in the nation leading the next US energy transition?

    Wyoming is on track to become a major exporter of wind energy to neighboring states and major urban markets across the West.

    John Karakoulakis • Oct. 31, 2023
  • Electricity from solar panels, dams, and wind turbines. Environmentally-friendly renewable energy concept.
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    bombermoon via Getty Images
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    Key lessons for an economical and reliable path to a 100% clean electricity system

    While the near- and mid-term path to reach an 80%-90% clean system is relatively clear, the technological mix of the final leg is still highly uncertain.

    Derek Stenclik and Priya Sreedharan • Oct. 27, 2023
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in a field
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    imacoconut via Getty Images
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    Princeton’s Zero Lab has it wrong on corporate renewable energy procurement and emissions

    The authors disagree with Zero Lab’s core conclusion that any procurement strategy other than hourly matching will have “zero or near-zero long-run impact on system-level CO2 emissions.”

    Jake Oster, Rob Threlkeld, Chad Reed and Hannah Hunt • Oct. 25, 2023
  • An AI processor on a futuristic printed circuit board
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    da-kuk via Getty Images
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    AI can play a game-changing role in the clean energy transformation

    People need to be trained on how and when to use AI. Just because you can use AI to solve a problem doesn’t mean you should.

    Jeremy Renshaw • Oct. 24, 2023
  • The Cunningham battery energy storage facility in Texas seen from above
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    Courtesy of Acciona Energia
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    Battery storage boost to Texas reliability is an example for the whole country

    The rapid buildout of energy storage in Texas — increasing roughly tenfold in three years — played a key role in helping the state avoid power shortages and brownouts this past summer amid record power demand.

    Patrick Meyer • Oct. 23, 2023
  • The Faraday Future FF91 electric vehicle.
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    Courtesy of Faraday Future
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    Biogas can fuel the EV industry, if the EPA allows it

    EVs and biogas are at the intersection of renewable energy, vehicle electrification, recycling and carbon policy. One decision by the EPA can help them all.

    Heather Dziedzic • Oct. 20, 2023
  • Hydrogen H2 molecule model
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    anusorn nakdee via Getty Images
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    Let’s get hydrogen right from the start: We need a tax credit that is practical and workable

    DOE’s recent hydrogen hub awards represent tens of thousands of clean energy jobs across the U.S., which could be at risk if upcoming tax credit guidance limits the ability to scale hydrogen quickly.

    Katrina Fritz • Oct. 19, 2023
  • A rendering of an Electric Era charger charging a vehicle.
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    Permission granted by Electric Era
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    As EV cyber risks rise, careful procurement planning can prevent headaches

    Companies need to take a hard look at the cybersecurity risks in their supply chains, contract for the right protections and build their facilities securely from the ground up.

    Arjun Ramadevanahalli • Oct. 12, 2023
  • The silhouette of the high voltage power lines during sunset.
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Don’t be fooled: Transmission benefits are clearer than they appear

    Federal regulators can advance transmission planning by developing a rule that “clarifies and requires evaluation of commonly accepted benefits,” writes Christina Hayes, executive director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid.

    Christina Hayes • Oct. 12, 2023