Southeast Clean Power Summit 2018

Generating electricity from Renewable Energy sources continues to play a significant role in advancing sustainability goals and reducing carbon outputs across the country. In the past, the Southeast (SE) region has found renewable energy to be an expensive and confusing venture, as what is “normal” in other parts of the country can still be challenging in this region. The region has strong coal and nuclear industries and some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation. Still the SE has begun to embrace renewable energy in recent years. Despite a reversal in policies around fighting climate change at the federal level, cities and counties throughout the SE are still committed to clean energy.

The region has a variety of readily available clean energy sources, including land to generate biomass, coastal wind, water tables to tap for geothermal, and enough sunlight that can produce high return on investment on solar installations. The adoption of solar in the region has been slow, but this is changing as significant amounts of solar are being added in SE states such as Georgia and North Carolina. Across the country, wind energy is growing rapidly surpassing hydropower dams as the largest source of renewable energy in the country. The SE has been reluctant to adopt wind, but the Amazon wind farm in North Carolina is signaling a shift in for the region as now other wind farms are in the works in nearby states, including Virginia. Energy storage is big news and a valuable contributor to the energy sector.

This 7th annual Clean Power Summit is the key event to learn about what’s happening and what the outlook is for renewable energy developments in the SE. The conference features utilities, project developers and industry experts discussing the most current information and what it’s likely to mean for stakeholders in the region.

Learning Outcomes

Discuss best practices in renewable energy development and implementation
Evaluate the progress of renewables in the Southeast region
Critique policy perspectives on the future demand for renewable resources
Identify the positive impact of distributed generation
Identify the ways in which solar development is having a meaningful impact on the SE region
Evaluate how to redesign the distribution system so that it can handle a lot more renewable energy production
Discuss the advancement of wind for the SE region
Discuss how companies are managing their REC portfolios

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.0 CEUs for this conference and 0.4 CEUs for each workshop.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Case Studies, PowerPoint presentations, case studies and panel discussions will be used in program.

Agenda

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

7:45 – 8:15 a.m. :: Continental Breakfast

8:15 – 8:20 a.m. :: Welcome Announcements

8:20 – 8:45 a.m. :: Welcome Address: Tennessee Public Utility Commission

Commissioner Hill will welcome conference attendees to the great city of Nashville and provide a regulatory perspective on clean energy.

Kenneth C. Hill, Commissioner, Tennessee Public Utility Commission

8:45 – 9:30 a.m. :: The Role of Pilots and Demonstrations in Reinventing the Utility Business Model

The rapid growth of distributed energy resources (DERs) is causing disruptions to traditional grid operations and business models for utilities. Making the transition to a DER-rich future requires piloting new approaches to operating the electricity system, to engaging customers, to working with third-party DER providers, and to the utility business model itself. How can utilities ensure that pilot and demonstration projects result in productive learning, eventually leading to large-scale deployment? Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) recently examined utility pilot and demonstration projects with a focus on establishing best practices for utilities, regulators, and DER providers. In this session, Anthony Teixeira of RMI will present key findings from that research and discuss opportunities for creating more effective pilots and demonstrations.

Anthony Teixeira, Senior Associate, Rocky Mountain Institute

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. :: How High Can We Go? A Systems Approach to Incorporating More DER

Today’s grid has several issues with small scale solar PV and small wind generation: not easy to connect, tough to manage, not as efficient as it could be. High levels of DER can wreak havoc on distribution equipment. But could the grid handle more? Yes. The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center is a university led research center headquartered at NC State. Our vision is to redesign the distribution system so that it can handle a lot more renewable energy production. The concept relies on energy cells that contain generation, loads and storage that plug-and-play to the network. This session will also review wide bandgap semiconductors, solid state transformers, and distributed grid intelligence.

Ken Dulaney, PE, Director of Industry and Innovation, FREEDM Systems Center

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. :: Economics of Solar

Throughout the Southeast, utilities are exploring different rate designs in response to distributed solar. With reference to specific examples from the region, this presentation will focus on assessing the impacts of distributed solar in low-penetration markets in the Southeast, evaluating the economics of distributed solar from a range of avoided cost perspectives, fostering customer choice, and other emerging rate design issues.

Amanda Garcia, Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Wind Energy in the Southeast

In this session, Jaime Simmons with the Southeastern Wind Coalition will provide an overview of land-based wind, offshore wind, as well as imports from the Midwest to the Southeast and the region’s thriving supply chain to the wind industry. Attendees will learn about the benefits that wind energy provides to local communities and ratepayers, coexists with agriculture and the military, as well as technological advancements that are making this an increasingly viable technology in the Southeast. The Southeastern Wind Coalition is a 501c(3) education & outreach organization which seeks to promote economically-viable wind energy in the Southeast.

Jaime Simmons, Program Associate, Southeastern Wind Coalition

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. :: Group Luncheon

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. :: Solar and Wind Developments in South Carolina

The state of South Carolina has been tracking solar installations since 2014. As a result of the passage of Act 236, we continue to see a big increase in the number of solar installations each year and this trend should continue. South Carolina is not known for our wind activity, but there are resolutions and ordinances that have been put into place by some local areas. For example, Charleston and North Myrtle Beach have developed resolutions in favor of wind development while Pawleys Island has instituted an ordinance against wind.

Stacey Washington, ACEM, Energy Specialist, SC Office of Regulatory Staff

1:45 – 2:30 p.m. :: REC Markets, Volumes and Opportunities in the Southeast

The NAR tracking system issues millions of RECs annually from renewable energy facilities in the Southeast. This presentation will detail recent market trends and present case studies illustrating how companies are managing REC portfolios, supporting C&I purchases, monetizing RECs and providing transparency for their initiatives.

Lars Kvale, Managing Director, APX

2:30 – 3:15 p.m. :: Integrating QFs into MISO

As the vigorous pace of wind and solar energy development continues, the ability of renewable projects to obtain Qualifying Facility (QF) status under PURPA can be critical to a renewable project’s viability and can have important cost implications for the utility receiving the project’s output. This presentation will examine how you integrate QFs into MISO.

Eugene Mauk, Senior Advisor Client Relations, MISO

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. :: What’s Next for PJM after Ancillary Services?

As energy storage capabilities continue to evolve, what options are available for energy storage to maximize their capability in the wholesale market. This session will review the recent changes in the PJM regulation market and discuss what’s next after Ancillary Services for energy storage.

Eric J. Endress, Engineer, Performance Compliance, PJM Interconnection

4:15 – 5:00 p.m. :: Retail Pricing to Support Electric Vehicle Charging

The number of electric vehicle owners, both residential and business, is expanding rapidly. Additionally, third-party vendors of vehicle charging services are emerging. This session will review the rate design issues that utilities face in designing rates to support this exciting new source of utility business. We will set out the challenges in recovering costs and setting “efficient prices”, i.e. electricity prices that neither subsidize nor deter 1) electric vehicle purchases and 2) establishment and use of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Bruce Chapman, Vice President Christensen Associates Energy Consulting

5:00 p.m. :: Networking Reception

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

7:45 – 8:15 a.m. :: Continental Breakfast

8:15 – 9:00 a.m. :: Incorporating New Technologies to Meet Evolving Customer Demand

Evolving customer demands and new technologies are reshaping electric utility services and helping modernize the grid. Entergy’s five utilities continue to develop new pilots and programs to better meet customer interests as well as incorporate new technologies. Entergy will provide an overview of new programs, related technology investments, and perspectives on policy matters.

Elizabeth Ingram, Manager– Regulatory Research, Entergy

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. :: TVA Renewable Energy Policy

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) offers various renewable programs and a new approach to defining distributed generation – integrated value. In this session, and overview of TVA’s renewable energy policy (supporting clean energy and renewables) and the lessons learned will be provided. The discussion will also include regulatory policies related to transmission, generation interconnection and risk assessment.

Laura Duncan, Senior Program Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

9:45 – 10:00 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. :: Xcel Energy’s Renewable*Connect Program

Designed from the World Resource Institute’s Corporate Buyer’s Principles, Renewable*Connect is Xcel Energy’s next generation renewable choice product which provides customers a competitive, green and sustainable energy option that mitigates impact to other customers. Launched in 2017, Renewable*Connect offers customers a blend of wind and solar to meet there on and off-peak requirements. The program’s flexible subscription terms allows customers to subscribe on a month-to-month basis or lock in there pricing for up to 10 years for all or a portion of their energy needs.

Nick Paluck, Rate Consultant, Xcel Energy

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. :: Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative’s “Consumer Pulse Wave 6” Study

How are today’s consumers using and managing energy? And what are their attitudes toward and awareness of smart grid-enabled products and services? The sixth wave of SGCC’s flagship “Pulse” series of nationally representative consumer surveys provides insights into consumers’ knowledge of smart energy and smart grid-enabled services and technologies, including peak-shifting/demand response programs, home energy management systems, energy storage systems, rooftop/community solar and more. The survey also updates SGCC’s consumer segmentation framework and presents consumer information in a way that is actionable by industry stakeholders. Attendees will hear major findings from “Consumer Pulse Wave 6” and will walk away with valuable insights on today’s energy consumers, their attitudes and values, and their propensities for new programs & services.

Patty Durand, President & CEO, Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative

11:00 – 11:45 a.m. :: Energy Storage Policy Panel Discussion

This panel session will discuss modernizing utility planning processes and state policies to deliver the benefits of energy storage to electric customers in the Southeast.

David D Smith, Senior Program Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Adnan Khan, Market Director U.S. South, Fluence Energy

Jonathan Landy, Business Development Manager, Duke Energy

11:45 a.m. :: Conference Concludes

Workshops

Pre-Conference Workshop 1

Pre-Conference Workshop 2

The Effects of High Penetration of Distributed Generation on Distribution Systems

Monday, February 26, 2018

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. :: Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: Workshop Timing

Overview:

The risks of adding significant levels of distributed generation are systemic and potentially threaten the power quality and operation of modern distribution systems. To address these risks, one must think critically about what pre-emptive measures should be taken in terms of both engineering decisions as well as technical policies. This workshop provides attendees with the background knowledge necessary to more effectively identify and address both transient and steady-state phenomena on distribution systems today. Topics ranging from policy decisions and system impact study procedures, to commissioning and technical inspections will provide the audience with expertise in areas of concern to take into consideration when anticipating the effects of future distributed energy resources on their systems. The purpose of this workshop will be to find a balance among maintenance costs, power quality, and rising levels of aggregate generation on the distribution system at both the substation feeder and the customer facility level.

Learning Outcomes:

List considerations needed before connecting Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
Review the importance of creating a defendable DER connection policy
Assess to conduct a DER interconnection study.
Create a punch list for commissioning and inspection

Agenda:

Introduction and Scope of Discussion
Creating DER Policy for the Utility
Steps to create a DER Connection Study
DER Commissioning and Technical Inspection
End User Power Quality Issues and Resolutions

Instructors:

Keith Clapp, Consulting Engineer, UC Synergetic

Keith Clapp is a consulting engineer at UC Synergetic. He is responsible for performing system impact studies for new distributed energy resources (DER) including system analysis, planning, protection, and reliability. He has helped to shape new policy and methodologies for the interconnection of DER involving solar PV, biogas, and battery energy storage. With the explosive growth of new interconnecting requests, Keith has researched new practices and strategies to ensure power quality on medium voltage distribution systems.

Jerry Josken, Senior Consultant, UC Synergetic

Jerry Josken is a Senior Consultant for UC Synergetic. Jerry holds a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a MBA from North Central College. During his 30+ year career with Eaton’s Cooper Power Systems Jerry has served as Test Engineer, Design Engineer, Distribution Protection Engineer, and Field Application Engineer. Past leadership positions include Chair of IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference (2012) and GLEMS Distribution Equipment /Controls (2013-2014). Presently, Jerry coordinates UCS Professional Development Programs.

Pricing Distributed Generation (DG): Issues and Approaches

February 26, 2018

12:30 – 1:00 p.m. :: Registration

1:00 – 4:30 p.m. :: Workshop Timing

Overview:

Net energy metering (NEM) is the dominant pricing arrangement that utilities use to serve customers with distributed energy generation (DG). NEM is well-known for the issues that arise with respect to distribution cost recovery and resulting cross-subsidy. This workshop will review those issues around the NEM design and set out alternative pricing mechanisms for serving DEG customers. Attendees at the preceding workshop on the system challenges of renewable pricing will find the workshop a valuable companion by reviewing the cost recovery and pricing challenges of clean power integration. Conference participants may find this a useful reminder of the pricing issues that challenge development of customer site-based clean power prior to attendance at the Clean Power Summit.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify the issues and challenges associated with NEM pricing
Review candidate alternatives to NEM, including buy-all/sell-all, residential demand charges, time-of-use pricing
Review the role of avoided cost and controversies surrounding its measurement

Program Agenda:

Introduction to NEM pricing structures and problems
Avoided costs associated with DG service
Design alternatives using familiar tariff constructs (demand charges, TOU pricing)
Design alternatives using new tariff constructs (buy-all/sell-all, net demand)
Likely future issues
Summary

Instructor:

Bruce R. Chapman, Vice President, Christensen Associates Energy Consulting.

Mr. Chapman is a Vice President at Christensen Associates Energy Consulting. He assists clients in the electricity and natural gas industries to improve their costing and pricing capabilities. Mr. Chapman advises clients in such areas of expertise as: cost-of-service analysis and rate design based upon both established regulatory and market-based principles; innovative rate design including demand response products, renewables pricing, fixed billing, and other market-based retail pricing products; load forecasting and load research analysis. Additionally, he has supervised the development of software required for the implementation and support of innovative retail products.

Speakers

Bruce Chapman, Vice President, Christensen Associates Energy Consulting

Ken Dulaney, PE, Director of Industry and Innovation, FREEDM Systems Center

Laura Duncan, Senior Program Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Patty Durand, President & CEO, Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative

Eric J. Endress, Engineer, Performance Compliance, PJM Interconnection

Amanda Garcia, Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

Kenneth C. Hill, Commissioner, Tennessee Public Utility Commission

Elizabeth Ingram, Manager – Regulatory Research, Entergy

Adnan Khan, Market Director U.S. South, Fluence Energy

Lars Kvale, Managing Director, APX

Jonathan Landy, Business Development Manager, Duke Energy

Eugene Mauk, Senior Advisor Client Relations, MISO

Jaime Simmons, Program Associate, Southeastern Wind Coalition

David D Smith, Senior Program Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Anthony Teixeira, Senior Associate, Rocky Mountain Institute

Stacey Washington, ACEM, Energy Specialist, SC Office of Regulatory Staff

Location

Millennium Maxwell House Hotel Nashville
2025 Rosa L Parks Blvd
Nashville, TN 37228

To reserve your room, please call 1-615-259-4343 or book online here.
Please indicate that you are with the EUCI group to receive the group rate.

Room Rate:

The room rate is $99.00 single or double plus applicable taxes.

Room Block Dates:

A room block has been reserved for the nights of February 25 – 27, 2018.

Rate Available Until:

Make your reservations prior to February 10, 2018. There are a limited number of rooms available at the conference rate. Please make your reservations early.

Register

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