The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and similar organizations from Australia, Canada, Europe and Japan joined forces this week to support modernizing the grid and including microgrids as part of the backbone.
Meeting in Washington, D.C. for the International Electricity Summit, leaders from major electric power associations issued a joint statement calling for policy changes — particularly in electricity pricing strategies — that reflects “profound transformation” under way in the electricity sector globally.The statement described a “confluence of new and clean technologies, evolving public policy and rapidly changing customer expectations.”
“At the heart of accomplishing the energy transition is the significant potential offered by the widespread deployment of smarter energy infrastructure around the world,” the statement said.
The elements of improved infrastructure include microgrids, energy storage, grid hardening/strengthening, advanced metering, ubiquitous sensing and automation, cyber protection and hydrogen, the group said.
These technologies “form the backbone of the evolving modern energy system and also facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind potential offered by the widespread deployment of smarter energy infrastructure around the world,” said the statement.
The organizations called for policymakers and regulators worldwide to recognize that vital benefits will flow to customers and society through policies that spur grid modernization.
“We believe that customers must be at the center of the transformation,” said the associations that gathered for their 25th global summit.
They added that challenges exist, namely paying for the new infrastructure, but said they believe the benefits outweigh the costs. To stimulate investment, electricity rates and regulatory policies must become more innovative and flexible, the groups said.
“We call upon policymakers and stakeholders to accelerate this process through regulatory innovation and customer engagement that promotes efficient investment across the value chain,” said the statement. “Furthermore, promoting electrification, particularly in the areas of transportation, homes, industry and smart communities, will power economies worldwide, while also creating a cleaner environment.”
The associations said that their companies are “enthusiastically stepping up to deliver for all customers, recognizing also that there are multiple pathways to that goal.”
In light of their shared imperative, the associations agreed to an ongoing collaborative dialogue to promote:
- Customer engagement and empowerment
- Electrification strategies for transportation, homes, industry, and smart communities
- Smart energy infrastructure including energy storage
- Regulatory solutions to promote industry innovation and efficient investment
- Cybersecurity protections and resilience
In addition to EEI, whose members include all U.S. investor-owned utilities, those signing the statement were the Australian energy associations, the Canadian Electricity Association, Eurelectric (the association representing the European electricity industry) and the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan.
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