A partner at ScottMadden, presented “Generation Trends – What Are the Impacts on Transmission?” at the fourth annual Transmission Summit West. This presentation focused on how natural gas prices, carbon legislation, and renewable generation sources will drive the need for transmission infrastructure investment.
We don’t solve problems with canned methodologies. We help you solve the right problem in the right way. Our experience ensures that the solution works for you.
This report explores how the progress created by solar and wind carbon-free generation is “at risk” of being reversed due to early retirement of currently operating nuclear…
This report explores the shift in nuclear carbon-free generation in the U.S. and implications for our energy future.
ScottMadden recently joined the Solar Electric Power Association to lead a group of U.S. energy industry executives to Germany to exchange information with electricity and solar market…
The Energy Industry Update is a semi-annual publication features our view of recent significant events and emerging trends in the energy industry.
During a recent fact-finding trip to the U.K., led by SEPA, we gathered practical lessons for the U.S. and new approaches to growing challenges in the industry.…
This white paper, prepared on behalf of the EEI, reviews the “Two-step” Discounted Cash Flow model to set allowed Returns on Equity for electric transmission investments, as…
This complimentary white paper addresses the objectives of Order No. 1000, what has been accomplished, and key challenges with its implementation.
Establishing a governance model for NERC compliance is key to mitigate violations found by auditors and avoid costly fines for governance models.
The electric industry seems to be on the cusp of great change. Regulators are rethinking the hundred-year-old rate-of-return paradigm, renewables costs are falling (especially for solar photovoltaic…
State of the Energy Industry: A Mid-Year Review (or “I Feel the Earth Move under My Feet” – with apologies to Carole King)
The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update – August 2014 I Feel the Earth Move under My Feet
ScottMadden was asked to work with EKPC, a generation and transmission cooperative, to develop a new strategic and business plan for the generation and transmission cooperative.
A small privately held transmission and distribution utility located in the Northeast sought to improve its capital project planning and project management capabilities.
ScottMadden’s Cristin Lyons joined SNL in 2013 to provide an interactive webinar focused on transmission development.
The latest Energy Industry Update examines the direction and magnitude of some of the changes and what utilities are doing to prepare for and thrive in a…
An independent transmission company sought to build, own, and operate transmission assets in Texas. ScottMadden was retained to assist with developing the operating strategy for the new control…
In this presentation, we will look at the operational considerations for joining the Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) across the following categories: marketing and trading, transmission operations, generation,…
This Update, themed “Generation to Generation: An Energy Evolution,” examines the strategic drivers that are challenging, and propelling, our industry and what utilities are doing to anticipate,…
Themed “Recalibration,” this Update examines some of the emerging and continuing trends in the industry, with the hope that it will help energy executives “recalibrate” as our…
There is often an insightful story hidden in the data which will tells you how you are operating the business, and the objective of data analysis is…
During the 2019 Utility Supply Chain Conference, Cristin Lyons reviewed the latest Energy Industry Update and shared key highlights for topics including electrification, wholesale energy infrastructure development,…
This webinar recording reviews bid-based wholesale power markets, the future of utility-scale solar, and grid investment. View this recording to hear from our expert leads.
During the 2016 Transmission Summit, ScottMadden reviewed the generation landscape and the impacts of the Clean Power Plan.
As a leader of your transmission and distribution (T&D) organization within vertically integrated or “wires-only” utilities, you face sweeping change. Pressing challenges, such as decreasing load, increasing…
The Energy Industry Update (EIU) is a compendium of breaking news, emerging issues, and recent developments in the energy industry.
The Energy Industry Update (EIU) is a compendium of breaking news, emerging issues, and recent developments in the energy industry.
The Energy Industry Update – Spring 2012 Managing with Uncertainty Fatigue
This white paper examines the growing interdependence between the natural gas and electric industries.
This update profiles continued progress in smart grid investments, reliability achievements under the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act (EIMA), and the recently completed NextGrid Illinois of the Future…
Recent headwinds from regulators in some states have shown that the grid modernization proposals of utilities are by no means guaranteed approval. This white paper highlights the…
On January 8, 2018, FERC terminated the proceeding initiated in September 2017 (Docket No. RM18-1-000) to address the proposed rule on grid reliability and resilience pricing (DOE…
Public utilities and regulators are implementing various forms of regulatory mechanisms that decouple revenues from commodity sales to remove a disincentive or create an incentive for utilities…
This white paper highlights some recent actions by electric utilities to support electric vehicle workplace charging.
The energy industry is changing, and its regulatory and financial moorings are shifting. Competitive markets combined with other factors may lead to early nuclear unit retirement. Continuing…
The energy industry is changing, and its regulatory and financial moorings are shifting. Continuing cost declines in distributed resources take place alongside new gas and nuclear plant…
Themed "Don’t Stop Believin'," this issue explores the growth strategies energy and utility companies are undertaking and how they are developing and modernizing needed infrastructure. We also…
To coincide with the release of the latest Energy Industry Update, ScottMadden joined forces with Energy Central to present an interactive webinar, “ScottMadden’s Energy Industry Update –…
This section of the Energy Industry Update reviews energy and utility companies and how they are accommodating larger penetration of renewable resources (including distributed PV) on their…
To coincide with the release of the latest Energy Industry Update, ScottMadden joined forces with Energy Central to present an interactive webinar, “ScottMadden’s Energy Industry Update –…
In this section, we look at the growth in microgrids in the United States and energy reforms in Mexico aimed at boosting investment and improving energy infrastructure.
The Energy Industry Update is a compendium of breaking news, emerging issues, and recent developments in the energy industry.
The Energy Industry Update (EIU) is a compendium of breaking news, emerging issues, and recent developments in the energy industry.
The Energy Industry Update - American Gas Association Executive Conference Special Edition Highlights of Recent Significant Events and Emerging Trends
This Regulatory Minute reviews the EPA's new methane emissions rule.
In this section of the Energy Industry Update, we summarize key clean tech developments, such as Clean Power Plan litigation and planning, Congress’ extension of renewables tax…
Energy Industry Update – A Strategic Overview
Access this white paper for an in-depth comparison of utility-scale and distributed renewables. Learn how to best integrate and effectively manage these resources to maximize benefits to…
The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update – Winter 2015 Changes: Turn and Face the Strange
This case study highlights how ScottMadden was able to successfully assist one of the nation’s largest municipally owned electric utility in updating its solar program.
The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update – Winter 2013-2014 Here Comes the Sun and I Say...It’s Alright
Greening the Grid-a study of the trends and drivers impacting the United States electric grid and its movement towards renewable energy.
In this section of the Energy Industry Update, we share lessons from Australia's experience with high levels of rooftop solar and differing approaches to structuring and pricing…
The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update – Early Fall 2013 The Times They Are a-Changin’ (or Serenity Now!)
Are you wondering how New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision proceedings will impact the market for energy storage? ScottMadden recently moderated a panel on the role of…
In the January 2010 issue of The ScottMadden Energy Industry Update, we look at areas engaging the industry during these uncertain times—investor views, the generation mix, gas…
The gas delivery organization of a large utility had recently undergone a leadership change and wanted to develop a clear roadmap for the future. ScottMadden performed a…
This report, prepared by ScottMadden for WIRES, includes a comprehensive overview of the state of play of transmission. It examines, region by region, the challenges posed by…
At the 2019 Duke University Energy Conference, ScottMadden's Cristin Lyons joined a panel of leading industry experts to discuss the future of the electricity business.
How does Hawaii plan to achieve its ambitious goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045? This ScottMadden and SEPA article, featured in the April 2020 Public Utilities…
The evolution of energy markets presents financial and operational benefits for participating utilities. Access this ScottMadden article to learn about key considerations for potential market participants.
When implemented, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) set off a multi-decade period of competitive transition for electricity markets. This article highlights how FERC…
What are the implications of the potential loss of carbon-free generation? This article examines key issues and what it means for the energy future.
Before setting any carbon reduction goals or developing a roadmap to achieve targets, organizations must first understand their emissions profile. Carbon accounting is the process of identifying…
A large transmission and distribution utility was seeking to improve the consistency of project cost and schedule for a capital project delivery to ensure it was eligible…
Absent major policy changes, transmission development will be a significant obstacle to an orderly clean energy transition.
New utility and state carbon-reduction goals, increasingly favorable economics, and incentives to adopt EE all contribute to the need for some utilities to scale their EE programs.…
In this report, we discuss several challenges to transmission development in detail, and we offer a few examples of successes and potential paths forward.
We’ve talked for decades about disruption in the electric and gas industries. We’ve faced “unprecedented challenges,” existential threats, fundamental policy changes, exponential technology growth, extreme weather events,…
In an era of “net-zero” carbon commitments, the electricity industry is working to identify zero-carbon replacements for coal. However, the retirement of coal-fired generation plants can have…
This Energy Industry Update (EIU) examines how the industry has made substantial progress in developing and deploying low greenhouse gas-emitting energy and technologies, but there is still…
President Joe Biden is expected to pursue an “all-of-government” approach to climate change. With a strong focus on energy, climate, and environmental justice, this all-of-government approach is…
While this roadmap is specific to Massachusetts, as an early mover in developing various pathways and sector analysis, the Commonwealth’s approach may provide a framework for other…
As owners and operators of vehicle fleets as well as providers of electricity, utilities have a unique opportunity to take advantage of fleet electrification. Through their own…
Decarbonization has become an increasingly important issue in the United States as more states, cities, and utilities commit to net-zero carbon-emissions goals. This report analyzes historical carbon…
Our client, a mid-sized vertically integrated electric utility, announced one of the most aggressive net-zero carbon emissions goals in the United States. The company embarked on a…
This Energy Industry Update (EIU) examines how the combination of rising post-pandemic energy demand, ambitious decarbonization targets, high commodity prices, and geopolitical events are combining to put…
In May, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its 2022 Summer Reliability Assessment, which is a preview of expected bulk power conditions and system reliability…
A large energy company with natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs) across the United States wanted to accelerate the identification of best practices and increase the standardization…
Momentum toward a clean energy future seems certain. The difficulties related to the clean energy transition are evident as the industry implements these goals.
EVs are becoming more and more prevalent. The costs of materials for EV batteries, number of offerings by manufacturers, as well as number of manufacturers producing them…
To take advantage of an acquisition opportunity, our client, a power generation investment firm, contacted ScottMadden to support the diligence of an in development utility-scale wind energy…
A national developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage assets recently completed a major acquisition, expanding their asset portfolio and project pipeline to…
Distribution investment has been growing steadily for at least a decade and is expected to comprise the most significant portion of utility capital spending over the next…
A Brief History of Utility Planning Prior to the 1990s, investor-owned utilities (IOUs) were largely vertically integrated, housing each utility function—generation, transmission, and distribution—under one roof. This…
