The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity launched the Voices of Experience initiative to capture the experiences, insights, and lessons learned from the utilities at the forefront of implementing emerging technologies. DOE has teamed with the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) to bring you Voices of Experience | Decarbonization Strategies and Grid Planning Virtual Summer Series.
Utilities across the U.S. are announcing carbon reduction goals with increasing frequency. Some are mandated and others are voluntary; most are ambitious. According to SEPA’s Carbon Reduction Tracker, 82% of US customer accounts are served by utilities with carbon reduction goals, with 79% having 100% carbon reduction as their goal. There is no universal blueprint for reducing carbon in energy systems. A carbon reduction plan must be tailored to a utility’s capabilities, its market, and geographical location.
We are launching the Voices of Experience: Decarbonization Strategies and Grid Planning Summer Series with three timely virtual discussions:
Demand Side Management, Customer Programs, and Decarbonization
Can demand response and other customer programs help utilities achieve their carbon reduction goals? Both Duke Energy and Austin Energy are piloting programs to find out how much curtailing and shifting customer usage during peak demand times can reduce their carbon output. Learn about their programs and share your own experience using demand side management and customer programs to meet your decarbonization goals.
Date: July 9, 2024
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (EDT)
Discussion Leaders:
● Duke Energy - Meghan Dewey, Vice President - Products and Services
● Austin Energy - Sara Norris, Director - Energy Efficiency Services
Rate Design Guiding Principles for Decarbonization
Cost is often seen as a barrier to decarbonization. Careful planning, customer education, and transparency in communications can help utilities overcome opposition to rate increases associated with decarbonization. Learn from two utilities who are successfully navigating this difficult topic through innovative thinking and planning.
Date: July 23, 2024
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (EDT)
Discussion Leaders:
● Salt River Project (SRP) - Gregory A. Delizio, Manager - Pricing Initiatives
● Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Alcides Hernandez, Pricing Strategy Manager
Load Growth and Decarbonization
For the first time in many decades some utilities are experiencing or projecting unprecedented load growth. This increased demand for reliable power from the proliferation of new data centers and the anticipated electrification of transportation may impede their ability to reach their decarbonization goals. Learn how three utilities are approaching this “problem” and share your experience.
Date: August 20, 2024
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (EDT)
Discussion Leaders:
● Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) - Karan Patel, P.E., MBA, Managing Director - Energy Solutions and Clean Energy
● Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) - Jené Reese, P.E., PMP, MEM, Manager - Large Commercial and Industrial Sales and Services
● Oncor Electric Delivery (Oncor) - Wilson Peppard, PE, Director - Economic Development
Please provide the following information to register for the virtual Summer Series discussions: