Ryan Melsert

Grid Reliability Impacts of EV Charging-Two Important Initiatives-Call for Engagement Several years ago, with the support of EnerTech Capital, the California Mobility Center, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), WECC and other organizations, I was fortunate to be involved in helping to form and manage a working group focused on increasing cross sector collaboration to better understand and mitigate potential adverse impacts of EV charging. In April 2022, a CMC working group published a paper including a number of grid friendly charging recommendations, as well as highlighted the need for more robust technical collaboration between the electric industry and EV OEMs and real-world data to both support and build on recommendations regarding grid friendly charging behaviors. I'm highlighting two recent initiatives and encouraging ongoing technical engagement and support from experts in utility, automotive, communications, software, consulting, and related fields. NERC is proposing to stand up an electric vehicle task force under its industry led Reliability Security Technical Committee. The task force deliverables over 2 years include reports regarding bulk power system reliability risks, a technical report on EV charging states and type tests, improvements in EV charging load modeling, and recommendations regarding interconnection requirements. For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected] In addition, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute recently made available a paper entitled “Exploratory Pilot: Analyzing Grid and EV Interactions Through Measuring Driving Behavior, Charging Behavior and Electricity.”  James Sayer and Eric Wingfield led the work for UMTRI, together with Taylor Spalt from Utilidata. The pilot monitored ten vehicles for operational data over 86 days at 8 public charging locations outfitted with Utilidata’s meter adapters. Among the observations was that during specific charging events, EVs generated increased power loss, contributed to voltage loss, and created unfriendly grid responses among other effects. Further research is recommended to support the assessment of potential broader grid impacts, as well as improve modeling. These observations are consistent with the findings contained in the CMC working group report. The paper also included observations regarding charging behaviors and impacts. Continued stakeholder supported research by UMTRI is critical and can help inform the NERC EV Task Force initiative. Please reach out to Eric Wingfiled at UMTRI for a copy of the paper. He may be reached at [email protected] Fostering electric system reliability is critical to the success and reputation of the automotive and utility industries.  Getting this type of collaboration off the ground and maintaining momentum is not easy, especially given the pressing challenges facing both industries. Please lean in. Your support is critical.

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For anyone who will be at IEEE Power & Energy Society T&D Conference feel free to stop by our panel session on #EVs and #gridreliability. Will be an interesting cross-sector discussion including technology provider, independent system operator, and utility perspectives among others. E-mobility is driving the blending of Transmission and Distribution system planning, design, and operations. Particularly with the growing prevalence of distributed energy resources, IoT and grid-edge technologies, and virtual power plants (#VPPs).

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New #ChargeCycle Episode Alert: Exploring Low Carbon Fuel Policies with UC Davis Expert Colin Murphy! In our latest episode of The Charge Cycle, we dive deep into the future of low carbon fuel standards (LCFS) and fleet electrification with Colin Murphy, Co-Director of the Low Carbon Fuel Policy Research Initiative at UC Davis. Colin shares valuable insights on: • The evolution of low carbon fuel policies and how they’re shaping the future of transportation • Challenges and opportunities in renewable diesel, biofuels, and EV adoption • The complexities of lifecycle analysis and indirect land use change (ILUC) • What policymakers should focus on for the next decade to meet climate goals This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in fleet electrification, climate policy, or clean energy initiatives! Listen to the full episode here Youtube: https://lnkd.in/gx-iJrsy Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3TQnJoc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3TSt8uZ Join the conversation and discover how we can accelerate the shift to cleaner, greener transportation! 🌍 #LowCarbonFuels #EVs #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #ClimatePolicy #FleetElectrification #TheChargeCycle #Podcast

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Battery energy storage systems in ERCOT have experienced an unprecedented summer so far in 2024 - with lower average revenues, increased capacity buildout, and signs of Ancillary Service saturation. Our research team has published a number of articles on each of these topics this past month. But, in case you may have missed any of them, here is a roundup of all of the research we have published throughout September: ▶️ Modo has an ERCOT forecast! Check out our projections on the evolution of the ERCOT supply stack out to 2050. ▶️ H1 2024 battery revenue deep dive --> $70/kW/year (20% decline YoY). ▶️ Battery energy storage tolling agreements, and how third-party optimizers can gain access to battery markets without the time and capital requirements of developing and owning an asset. ▶️ A performance comparison of battery energy storage arbitrage strategies in ERCOT. ▶️ As well as other research that can all be found here: https://lnkd.in/dMvKPYtj

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The impact of small grants on spurring testing of new technologies and approaches underscores exactly why programs like TECH Clean California are vital to scaling climate solutions. #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #susteinability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #motors #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity

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The tool helps stakeholders navigate increasingly complex grid investment considerations as more states require utilities to file distribution plans, the lab said. #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #susteinability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity #metering

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"The vision is to have these distributed power plants — which can be stood-up, scaled and dispatched far more quickly and affordably than conventional centralized power plants — drive down costs and boost reliability for all the grid’s users. The problem is that only one of the six FERC-jurisdictional grid operators, the California Independent System Operator, has successfully developed — and begun implementing — a wholly compliant Order No. 2222 implementation plan. But it’s the case of the nation’s largest grid, the PJM Interconnection, that best illustrates the costs of non-compliance. Case in point are the results of what’s known as its July “capacity auction,” a process by which power plants are paid to commit to be available, and consumers are paid to conserve during future emergencies. Beset with an extraordinary mismatch of power supply and demand, the results of that July auction tell us that the price of electricity for 65 million people across the mid-Atlantic and Midwest is set to increase significantly next year, and it threatens to keep climbing thereafter. Regrettably, in a region with growing fleets of rooftop #solar panels, #batteries and #electricvehicles, distributed power plants, or DPPs, were not afforded a chance to mitigate this summer’s record-shattering capacity auction. Though, to PJM’s credit, it’s not for lack of trying; after one failed attempt, earlier this year PJM’s plan for integrating DPPs into its wholesale energy markets was accepted by FERC just a few days prior to the capacity auction. Yet, despite the proverbial canary in the coal mine, PJM has since informally proposed delaying their approved plan’s effective date by two years — or at least four additional capacity auctions — from February 2026 to February 2028. That would mark more than seven years since Order No. 2222 was handed down." #FERC2222 #VirtualPowerPlants

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RMI’s VP3 just published profiles of 14 VPPs that are providing 1500 MW of capacity across the US with ~4M participants. They detail out the grid services, participation parameters, and operator dynamics to shed light on successful models that are ready to scale up. “How utilities and their customers are already benefitting from VPPs and insights for future implementation.” #VirtualPowerPlants

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The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is a fundamental piece of California’s efforts to accelerate the transition to low and zero emission fuels as well as the buildout of convenient and accessible EV charging stations. As California prepares to vote on proposed changes to modernize its LCFS, EVgo's Manager of Market Development and Public Policy, Noah Garcia, discusses the program's benefits and the importance of sound program design to the success of transportation electrification in California: https://lnkd.in/dzg82VET

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Want to shape California's #hydrogen agenda? CCST is hosting a workshop for researchers, policy experts, industry experts, community-based partners, and more to shape the future of hydrogen in California. 🗓️ Nov. 18+19 Interested? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gAu3nwqb #SciPol #energy #CAleg #sciencepolicy #energypolicy #California

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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently issued a decision that sets timelines for the state’s three largest investor-owned utilities to complete customer energization projects. Energization is the process of connecting electrification projects—such as electric vehicle charging equipment—to the grid so that we can make use of our clean energy technologies. By setting timelines to complete energization projects, the CPUC decision recognizes that the state’s clean energy transition can’t happen without the timely integration of electrification projects to the grid. IREC has been actively engaged in the decision’s proceedings and contributed to the decision’s results. Our new blog post digs into the CPUC’s decision requirements for energization timelines, how the decision sets out to implement current clean energy laws and goals, and why accelerating energization is crucial for our transition to clean energy. Read it now at https://lnkd.in/g3fqQ_fD!

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The Senate’s bipartisan #FusionEnergyAct proves that policymakers see and can match the urgency of fusion.   The bill would codify into law that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will regulate fusion and fission SEPARATELY. That will pave a smoother path to building commercial power plants – making  the #energytransition happen sooner. Thank you Senators Alex Padilla, John Cornyn, Cory Booker, Todd Young, and Patty Murray for your commitment to fusion’s future. As this bipartisan bill reminds us, fusion has no political party. https://lnkd.in/eniX6KZy  

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Karen Herter, this is an incredibly timely and helpful report. Most telecom and energy engineers are focused on deploying two-way networks and IP connectivity to everything. In contrast, this report provides strategic quantification of the benefits of using multiple existing networks to provide hyperconnectivity to demand response devices. Well done!!!

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The interactive resource draws lessons from 15 U.S. virtual power plant programs with nearly 4 million customers and 1.5 GW of enrolled capacity. #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #susteinability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity #metering

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Great overview by Gridmatic on the differences in battery #energystorage bidding behavior between California ISO and ERCOT https://bit.ly/40TRBEv "A significant portion of CAISO’s revenue comes from Day-Ahead Energy, whereas it remains relatively small in ERCOT. Several factors contribute to this difference, including obligations for storage resources with resource adequacy contracts, Default Energy Bid (DEB) complexities, and CAISO’s methods of awarding ancillary services based on State of Charge (SOC) expectations. Comparing individual systems in ERCOT and CAISO, we see that ERCOT batteries primarily rely on ancillary services throughout the day, while CAISO batteries need Day-Ahead Energy to ensure they are cleared for higher-value RegUp and RegDn awards."

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An interesting example of an energy storage PPA, enabling project finance debt on battery projects: "The £538m battery fund said the 12-year resource adequacy (RA) contract would provide revenues from next summer and could operate alongside other revenue streams from wholesale trading and ancillary services. The contract with J Aron & Company, a commodities trader owned by a Goldman Sachs subsidiary, will see Big Rock provide a minimum duration of four hours, or 100MW, of RA deliverability to enable power companies to prove their generation capacity can cover peak demand plus a reserve margin. As RA contracts represent a larger portion of the Californian energy market than equivalent capacity contracts in the UK, this contract could account for up to 40% of Big Rock’s revenues over the next 12 years and underpin project-level debt." https://lnkd.in/d_nkv2NC #energystorage #PPA

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