Friday, September 22, 2023

PUC Invites Comments On Proposed Policy Statement On Use Of Electric Storage To Enhance Grid Reliability And Resilience

The
Public Utility Commission published notice in the September 23 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed policy statement for the use of electricity storage by electric distribution companies encouraging a transition toward a future that accommodates evolving needs of customers and helping to enhance the reliability and resilience of the electric distribution grid in Pennsylvania.

The PUC voted 5-0 to publish the proposed policy statement for public comment. This action follows the review and analysis of two rounds of public comment on matters related to electric storage, received from more than 30 organizations, advocates, utilities, state agencies, customer groups, and other interested parties.

The proposed policy statement acknowledges that electricity-storage assets can assist in various engineered reliability solutions.  As such, electricity-storage can be used by EDCs to maintain or to increase the reliability or the resilience of the electric distribution system.  

The policy statement encourages the consideration of such assets when cost effective and proper and encourages EDCs to consider electricity-storage assets as part of system planning.

“Continued advancement in energy storage technology, namely batteries, has led it to become both a viable generation resource as well as a newly viable non-wires alternative for transmission and distribution planning,” noted PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille and Vice Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank in a joint statement at the meeting. “Energy storage can provide grid stability through services such as peak demand shifting, supplemental power, restoration, and voltage support. Therefore, we are pleased to take this next step in encouraging EDCs to utilize cost effective energy storage as a distribution resource.”

Will have 30 days from the date of publication to file comments and 45 days to file any reply comments.

Interested persons are encouraged to eFile comments through the Commission’s eFiling System, which is available free of charge by following the filing instructions on the Commission’s website. 

 If you do not eFile, then you are required to mail, preferable by overnight delivery, one original filing, signed and dated, with the Commission’s Secretary at: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Commonwealth Keystone Building 2nd Floor, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.  

 Please note: Comments containing confidential information should be emailed to Commission Secretary Rosemary Chiavetta at rchiavetta@pa.gov rather than eFiled. 

Comments must reference Docket No. M-2020-3022877

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information.

(Photo: EOS energy storage systems, Turtle Creek, Allegheny County.)

NewsClips:

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Local Battery Manufacturer Eos Energy Wins Share Of Big Renewable Energy Power Project

-- Reuters: US Energy Regulator Recommends Revising Reliability Standards For Natural Gas, Power Grid Infrastructure During Extreme Weather

-- Utility Dive: Record 13% Of Eastern US Electric Generation Capacity Failed - 63% Natural Gas-Fired During Winter Storm Elliott  [70% In PJM Were Natural Gas Failures]

-- PUC Approves 5.6% Rate Increase For UGI Electric Division

-- PUC 2022-23 Audit Investigations Identified Over $50 Million In Savings For Utilities, Customers

-- PUC Appoints David E. Screven As Chief Counsel

-- PUC Responds To NTSB Actions Regarding Reading Factory Natural Gas Explosion

-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: NTSB Kicks PUC Out Of Investigation Into Deadly Natural Gas Explosion At A Chocolate Factory In Reading

-- Reading Eagle: West Reading Chocolate Factory Explosion: Feds Demand PUC Hand Over UGI Inspection Reports

-- AP: NTSB Investigators Subpoena PUC Records Related To Reading Factory Natural Gas Explosion

-- PennLive: Lancaster County House Explosion Leaves 1 Man Dead: Police

-- The Derrick: Venango County Planning Commission Approves Solar Energy Facility In Cranberry Twp. 

Related Articles:

-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, NERC Final Report On Winter Storm Elliott Says Legislative Action Needed To Establish Reliability Rules For Natural Gas Infrastructure  [PaEN]

-- PUC Responds To NTSB Actions Regarding Reading Factory Natural Gas Explosion

-- House Environmental Committee Meets Sept. 26 On Cryptocurrency Mining Moratorium Bill [PaEN]

-- PennDOT To Hold 6 Regional Outreach Sessions On Electric Vehicle Charging And How EVs Can Best Fit In Your Community  [PaEN]

-- Washington & Jefferson College To Host Sept. 27 Webinar On Hydropower From The Three Rivers  [PaEN] 

-- Dickinson College Will Host An Evening With Environmental & Indigenous Rights Advocate Tara Houska On Her Groundbreaking Advocacy Work Oct. 4  [PaEN]

-- Lancaster Theological Seminary: Re-Imagining A Christian Response To A Changing Climate Oct. 6 Online Program  [PaEN]

[Posted: September 22, 2023]  PA Environment Digest

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