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ScottMadden’s Energy Industry Update: Everything Counts … In Large Amounts

Complimentary Webcast | 1:00PM EST–2:00PM EST

This free webcast will be based on ScottMadden’s latest Energy Industry Update. Our complimentary webcast will provide you with the insights and know-how to navigate today’s complex, ever-changing industry. This is a great opportunity to take a step back and consider what is happening, what it means, and where our industry is headed.

So how does a lyric from one of Depeche Mode’s greatest hits apply to the energy industry? Both technology and the amount of new resources that are placed on the grid are changing and moving toward decarbonization. But “everything counts in large amounts” to achieve some of the ambitious clean energy and decarbonization targets being established.

During this session, ScottMadden’s energy experts will share their views and field questions related to the potential loss of carbon-free generation and its implications, the growing duck curve belly, and opportunities for the Western Energy Imbalance Market.

Join us to hear from Sean Lawrie, partner at ScottMadden; Subba Nishtala, director at ScottMadden; and Paul Quinlan, clean tech manager at ScottMadden. Cristin Lyons, partner and energy practice leader at ScottMadden, will serve as the webcast moderator. Read more about our topic highlights below.

Additionally, all registered attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the latest Energy Industry Update.


The Potential Loss of Carbon-Free Generation

Parts of the U.S. electric-generation sector have been working to reduce carbon emissions, focusing primarily on investments in renewables. Despite the significant growth in renewable energy in the past decade, meaningful gains in carbon-free generation are in jeopardy. Existing, well-running nuclear power plants in the United States face early retirement, and the industry is falling back on output from other resources, including gas-fired power plants. During the webinar, Sean Lawrie, partner, will address:

  • How the carbon-free progress created by solar and wind generation is “at risk” of being reversed due to the early retirement of currently operating nuclear plants
  • Why all sources of carbon-free generation must be valued when working toward an overall goal of decarbonizing the energy sector

The Growing Duck Curve Belly

California’s iconic duck curve belly is getting “fatter.” Understanding the impacts of the duck curve is essential before developing strategies to address these operational impacts (e.g., curtailment, relying on ramping resources). During the webinar, Paul Quinlan, clean tech manager, will explore:

  • What’s causing the duck curve and best practices to manage the resulting operational impacts
  • Implications for when the “duck” migrates to other states, like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, and Texas
  • What a lower net load means for system operations

Opportunities for the Western EIM

The Western EIM continues to grow, providing a wider, more diversified array of renewable and flexible energy options for western utilities. The EIM has grown from being just a handful of balancing authorities adjacent to CAISO when it was initially formed to occupying a much broader footprint today. During the webinar, Subba Nishtala, director will discuss:

  • Why EIMs will play an increasingly important role in grid management
  • The growth of the CAISO EIM and the realized benefits of the market
  • Why other regions are exploring the EIM and the considerations for possible market participants