SOLAR TODAY - May 2009

Obama has advocated, then we will need new infrastructure designed for the task. This will include construction of feeder lines to allow new large-scale renewable energy projects to connect up to the grid. It will also require extra-high-voltage electricity transmission upgrades to permit that power from remote renewable energy-rich regions to reach consumers.

Similarly, if we want massive numbers of consumers to make smart choices about how they produce and use electricity, then they will need access to real-time information on the true costs and impacts of their energy choices and their patterns of consumption. That will require deploying “smart meters” or other technology for managing energy distribution and use both on a smart electric grid and in our homes.

Getting the 21st-century grid we need requires changes in federal regulatory policy and adoption of new incentives. The underlying policy changes must include substantial reform of the regulatory structure for planning, siting and paying for an extra-high-voltage transmission grid and new transmission lines. In addition, it will require policies for modernizing distribution networks with information technology. Through these measures, we can also address economic and national security concerns, create good jobs and improve the resilience of the grid. Spe-

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When it is fully implemented, the renewable energy pipeline will transform our entire economy. Our energy mix will include everything from large-scale solar power plants to building retrofits, advanced energy storage and electrified vehicles. A more diverse energy mix will mean fewer price spikes for consumers.

cifically, federal policy changes will need to include several conditions.

Planning on an interconnection-wide basis that brings together multiple states in a transparent, participatory process to maximize the

ASES Policy Recommendations Target a Smart Grid

In March the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) released a comprehensive set of federal policy recommendations to generate 37 million U.S. jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2030 — while reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050 (compared to 2006 levels). ASES assembled leading experts in renewable energy and energy efficiency to develop these recommendations for speeding the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

Among the seven topical areas of focus, the ASES recommendations promote policies for a smart grid and transmission upgrades:

• Conduct nationally coordinated studies to focus on large-scale transmission from renewable energy resources to load centers.

• Create a renewable energy-enabling transmission action plan that addresses siting, flexible/firm transmission rates, storage and support services.

• Establish national standards to enable smart grid development, including demand response, real-time pricing and consumer pricing information, storage, vehicle-to-grid technology and distribution automation.

Other policy focus areas include carbon, building energy efficiency and renewable energy, renewable electricity, transportation, green economy and workforce development, and federal leadership. Access the full report, “ASES’ Policy Recom- mendations for the 111th Congress,” at ases.org/policy2009.

use of renewable resources and optimize the reliability, efficiency and economics of the entire system, rather than the current state-by-state, utility-by-utility or even regional planning approach.

One-stop certification and siting for new renewable energy transmission projects so that projects identified in a multistate planning process can receive consolidated review and approval, rather than relying on a system of multiple unconnected permitting agencies.

Broad cost sharing to ensure that the expense of new grid investments is shared by all ratepayers, driving down costs and guaranteeing that no single state or region shoulders the burden.

Enhanced federal financial support for smart-grid technologies that will improve the capability of utilities to monitor and control this new national grid and give individual consumers the capability to better manage their own energy use. This federal financial support should include expanded incentives for deploying smart-grid technology across the existing grid, financial and technical assistance for state utility regulators and others overseeing this work, and federal grants to speed regional smart-grid pilot projects.