The Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI’s) Incubatenergy Labs—a program that connects leading startup companies with electric power utilities from around the world—invites startup companies to apply for the opportunity to propose innovative solutions to the most challenging issues facing the electric power industry. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in the 2021 Incubatenergy Labs Demo Day   Challenge.

Startups must apply online to pitch their proposal to a group of electric power utilities in March   2021. Startups that deliver successful pitches at this event will go on to work with EPRI and    electric power utility experts to scope and execute a paid pilot research and demonstration project within the service area of a participating utility next summer. This collaborative approach increases the value of the projects for all participants by expanding the reach of the startups and providing valuable investment information for the utilities. Applications can be submitted until January 14,   2021 through an online portal  here.

“This program will connect promising startups with the electric power industry backing they need to put some momentum behind their innovations,” said Erik Steeb, who leads the Incubatenergy program. “And this program allows utilities to see for themselves how these innovations perform in   a real-world environment without incurring the risk associated with deploying   capital.”

The Incubatenergy Labs program offers startup companies the opportunity to demonstrate and scale their innovations in electrification, decarbonization, and grid modernization. For 2021, the program seeks solutions that address challenges associated with artificial intelligence, customer and community engagement, customer and community resilience, decarbonization and sustainability, the digital utility, electrification, and the workforce of the future. Startups with solutions that address other energy challenges will also be considered; they can submit applications in an ‘open’ category.

“Incubatenergy Labs is a terrific opportunity to use EPRI’s collaborative research model and apply   it in a way that drives results faster than utilities normally can,” said Steve Kidwell, Vice President   of Corporate Planning at Ameren Corporation. “Incubatenergy Labs is a way for our industry to be more agile with innovation, and I encourage more utilities to join us for 2021,” he said. Ameren and the Ameren Accelerator will be in its third year as a foundational member and host utility in the program, and in its fifth year of running its own accelerator  efforts.

As part of its continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), Exelon named 34 companies to its 2020 D&I Honor Roll, which recognizes partners in banking, insurance, IT, legal, professional services and investments for their work to include women and people of color in key roles on Exelon’s account teams, as well as additional efforts that recognize the value of D&I.  Exelon also continually improves its own diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and this year added Exelon Investments and Legal as part of the combined D&I Partnership Program, recognizing a broader scope of firms that support diversity in their day-to-day interactions with Exelon.

“Companies with a diverse workforce are stronger, more agile, and more innovative because of the variety of experiences and viewpoints people bring to the table,” said Bridget Reidy, Exelon’s executive vice president of Corporate Operations. “While diversity, inclusion, and equity are good for business, it is a moral imperative that we reaffirm and recommit ourselves to these values in the wake of recent events. That commitment extends to our business partners, and it’s important to recognize and encourage progress while creating a forum to share best practices and learn from one another.”

   This year’s honorees are:

• Banking: CIBC, Sumitomo, Northern Trust, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, MUFG, Mizuho, Citibank, and JP Morgan
• Insurance: Beecher Carlson, Marsh, and Aon
• Legal: Jenner & Block, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Blank Rome, and Reed Smith
• Professional Services: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Willis Towers Watson, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and Duff & Phelps
• IT Services: 720 Worldwide and Accenture
• Investments: Artemis Real Estate Partners, Pugh Capital Management, The Rock Creek Group, The Vistria Group, Ares Management Corporation, BlackRock, Camden Asset Management, Dodge & Cox; MacKay Shields, Oaktree Capital Management, and Thoma Bravo

Additional business partner Bank of America was recognized as “Most Improved” because of their significant efforts over the past year to increase female and minority representation on the account teams working with Exelon.

On September 29, Vistra announced a comprehensive plan to accelerate its transition to clean power generation sources and advance efforts to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.  The company launched Vistra Zero, a portfolio of zero-carbon power generation facilities.  In addition, the company committed to more ambitious long-term emissions reduction targets, released its first climate report, and announced its intention to retire all of its generation subsidiaries’ coal plants in Illinois and Ohio.

“The aggregate impact of these milestone initiatives is clear: Vistra’s commitment to our transformation to a low-to-no-carbon future is unequivocal and offers unique opportunities for growth and innovation,” said Curt Morgan, president and CEO of Vistra. “As evidenced by the actions we take and investments we make, Vistra is paving its way for a sustainable future – economically and environmentally – and we’ve been focused on transitioning our generation portfolio for the benefit of the environment, our customers, our communities, our people, and our shareholders.”

Morgan continued, “Importantly, Vistra’s leadership on these issues will not impact our core mission to provide consumers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy while lowering emissions. Electricity is an essential resource, and the demand for it will continue to grow as climate initiatives are implemented and the economy is further electrified. So, while the way we produce electricity is changing, our essential role in the process and core mission will not. Vistra is well-positioned to not only prove our resiliency during this important transformation to cleaner generation sources, but to lead the way.”

Assuming necessary advancements in technology and supportive market constructs and public policy, Vistra also announced its next phase of coal plant closures in Illinois and Ohio. The company expects to retire seven Luminant power plants, of which the company owns a combined capacity of more than 6,800 MW, between 2022 and 2027. By year-end 2022 • Edwards Power Plant, Bartonville, IL (MISO) – 585 MW previously announced By year-end 2025 or sooner should economic or other conditions dictate • Baldwin Power Plant, Baldwin, IL (MISO) – 1,185 MW • Joppa Power Plant, Joppa, IL (MISO) – 1,002 MW (plus 239 MW of gas-fueled combustion turbines). By year-end 2027 or sooner should economic or other conditions dictate • Kincaid Power Plant, Kincaid, IL (PJM) – 1,108 MW • Miami Fort Power Plant, North Bend, OH (PJM) – 1,020 MW • Newton Power Plant, Newton, IL (MISO) – 615 MW • Zimmer Power Plant, Moscow, OH (PJM) – 1,300 MW These plants, especially those operating in the irreparably dysfunctional MISO market, remain economically challenged. Today’s retirement announcements are also prompted by upcoming Environmental Protection Agency filing deadlines, which require either significant capital expenditures for compliance or retirement declarations.

On September 10, the Edi-son Electric Institute (EEI) awarded Southern Company with the 92nd Edison Award. Presented annually and select-ed by a panel of former energy industry executives, the Edison Award is the electric power in-dustry’s most prestigious honor.

Southern Company was se-lected for its energy storage system initiatives, including the development, commissioning, and operation of the Energy Storage Research Center (ESRC). The Birmingham, Ala., facility serves as an industry-wide destination for battery en-ergy storage technology testing, evaluation, and large-scale demonstration. Additionally, the ESRC forms the anchor for several other Southern Compa-ny energy storage R&D initia-tives that achieved key mile-stones in 2019, such as the Georgia Power and Alabama Power Smart Neighborhoods.

“EEI member companies con-tinue to integrate clean energy technologies, such as energy storage, that will help pave the way for the future of our indus-try,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Southern Company’s leadership and technical expertise for the testing, devel-opment, and deployment of a diverse portfolio of energy stor-age solutions not only improves the resiliency and reliability of the energy grid, but also creates tremendous value for custom-ers. Congratulations to the Southern Company team for their outstanding work and for winning this well-deserved award.”

“As we prepare Southern Company to succeed in the transition to a net-zero carbon future, our many energy storage R&D initiatives – including the Energy Storage Research Cen-ter, Georgia Power and Ala-bama Power Smart Neighbor-hoods, and other pilot demon-strations – are advancing ener-gy storage as an effective, technically viable energy solu-tion,” said Southern Company Chairman, President, and CEO Tom Fanning.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has voted unanimously to initiate an investigation into an annual process and formula for calculating rebate values for customers with solar, wind or other renewable energy systems on their property within Ameren Illinois’ territory. A provision of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), which became effective in 2017, requires the ICC to determine compensation for retail custom-ers for the benefits distributed energy resources provide to the grid. The compensation must reflect the value of the distributed generation and consider geographic, time-based, and performance-based benefits, for present and future grid needs.

“One of the primary goals of FEJA is to encourage the growth of renewable energy in Illinois. A program that fairly compensates consumers who own or operate solar, wind or other renewable energy sources to power their homes, transmitting excess capacity onto the grid is one way to stimulate private investment into renewable energy resources,” said ICC Public Utilities Bureau Chief Jim Zolnierek.

Under the Public Utilities Act, the Commission is required to initiate an investigation ‘when the total generating capacity of the electricity provider’s net metering customers is equal to 3% of the total peak demand supplied by the electricity provider.’ Earlier this month, Ameren Illinois notified the ICC that the company’s total generating capacity for net metering customers has reached the 3% level and is expected to exceed 5% by the end of 2020, triggering the need for the investigation.

By state statute, the investigation in Docket No. 20-3089 must include diverse sets of stakeholders, calculations for valuing distributed energy resource benefits to the grid based on best practices, and assessments of present and future technological capabilities of distributed energy resources.
In 2018, the ICC hosted a series of workshops to facilitate an initial discussion around determining the value of distributed generation to the distribution grid. The effort was supported through a grant by the U.S. Department of Energy and, working in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The following bills of interest to the energy industry have been filed in the 101st Illinois General Assembly, which is now in its second Spring Session:

Senate Bill 135 (Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria) – proposed amendments have been filed (but not yet approved) that would create the Competitive Clean Energy Act which would eliminate all carbon emissions from the state’s power supply by 2050 as well as minimize consumer and community impacts from closure of fossil-fuel electric generation facilities. On 3rd Reading in the Senate. Companion bill to House Bill 125 (Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan).

Senate Bill 1781 (Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago) – would implement a plan designed to lead the state to a 100 percent clean energy future, relying largely on solar energy development. Re-referred to Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to House Bill 2966 (Rep. Will Da-vis, D-East Hazel Crest).

Senate Bill 2132 (Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin) – companion bill to HB 3624. Would make numerous energy policy changes. The bill is a proposal of the Clean Jobs Coalition and touches on renewable energy, energy efficiency and most major areas of the energy industry. Re-referred to Senate Assignments Committee.

House Bill 2861 (Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet) – would make changes relating to nuclear power plants and capacity markets. Re-referred to House Rules Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 660 (Sen. Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago).

House Bill 3624 (Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago) – compan-ion bill to SB 2132. The bill is a proposal of the Clean Jobs Coalition and touches on renewable energy, energy efficiency and most major areas of the energy industry. Approved as amend-ed by House Energy & Envi-ronment Committee. On 2nd Reading in the House.

House Bill 3987 (Rep. Mark Batnick, R-Plainfield) – would prohibit utility recovery of costs in purchasing zero emission credits from clean energy generation sources. Assigned to House Public Utilities Com-mittee.

House Bill 5363 (Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet) – would establish a formula rates ratemaking methodology for natural gas utilities. Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 3696 (Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora).

House Bill 5663 (Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., D-Chicago) -- would establish a Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage program to ease the transition for some of the state’s coal-fired power plants to a clean energy future. Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 3696 (Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort).

House Bill 5673 (Rep. Latoya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis) – would make several changes to the provision of electricity services in Central and Southern Illinois. Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee. Companion bill to Senate Bill 3977 (Sen. Christopher Belt, D-East St. Louis).

The following bills of interest to the energy industry have been filed in the 101st Illinois General Assembly, which is now in its second Spring Session:

Senate Bill 135 (Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria) – proposed amendments have been filed (but not yet approved) that would create the Competitive Clean Energy Act which would eliminate all carbon emissions from the state’s power supply by 2050 as well as minimize consumer and community impacts from closure of fossil-fuel electric generation facilities.  On 3^rd Reading in the Senate.  Companion bill to House Bill 125 (Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan).

Senate Bill 1781 (Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago) – would implement a plan designed to lead the state to a 100 per cent clean energy future, relying largely on solar energy development.  Re-referred to Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee.  Companion bill to House Bill 2966 (Rep. Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest).

Senate Bill 2132 (Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin) – companion bill to HB 3624.  Would make numerous energy policy changes.  The bill is a proposal of the Clean Jobs Coalition and touches on renewable energy, energy efficiency and most major areas of the energy industry. Re-referred to Senate Assignments Committee.

       House Bill 2861 (Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet) – would make changes relating to nuclear power plants and capacity markets.   Re-referred to House Rules Committee.  Companion bill to Senate Bill 660 (Sen. Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago).

House Bill 3624 (Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago) – companion bill to SB 2132.  The bill is a proposal of the Clean Jobs Coalition and touches on renewable energy, energy efficiency and most major areas of the energy industry.  Approved as amended by House Energy & Environment Committee.  On 2^nd Reading in the House.

House Bill 3987 (Rep. Mark Batnick, R-Plainfield) – would prohibit utility recovery of costs in purchasing zero emission credits from clean energy generation sources.  Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee.

House Bill 5363 (Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr., D-Joliet) – would establish a formula rates ratemaking methodology for natural gas utilities.  Assigned to House Rules Committee.  Companion bill to Senate Bill 3696 (Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora).

House Bill 5663 (Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., D-Chicago) -- would establish a Illinois Coal to Solar and Energy Storage program to ease the transition for some of the state’s coal-fired power plants to a clean energy future.  Assigned to House Public Utilities Committee.  Companion bill to Senate Bill 3848 (Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort).

House Bill 5673 (Rep. Latoya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis) – would make several changes to the provision of electricity services in Central and Southern Illinois. Assigned to House Rules Committee.  Companion bill to Senate Bill 3977 (Sen. Christopher Belt, D-East St. Louis).

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, recently announced that Justin Ladner has been named president of Illinois American Water. Ladner will succeed Bruce Hauk, who has been named American Water’s president of Regulated Operations and Military Services Group.

Ladner joined American Water in Nov. 2018 as director of National Regulatory Affairs. In this national role for American Water, Ladner was responsible for developing and implementing strategies, practices and processes related to National Regulatory Affairs. He has served as the primary liaison between the company’s business units and its Regulatory Affairs teams, providing leadership and strategy to identify, develop, and implement best practices.

Before joining American Water, Ladner served as the governmental affairs and policy manager for Southern Power. In that role, he created and led the governmental affairs team with a focus on federal, regional and state legislative, and regulatory affairs. He also held several other positions at Southern Co. including project manager for the Integration Management Office, assistant to the executive vice president of Nuclear Development, and attorney for Southern Nuclear.

“Justin’s unique skill set includes legislative and regulatory experience, as well as legal, engineering, and operations expertise,” said Walter Lynch, chief operating officer at American Water. “We are confident he is the right fit and excited that he will be leading our talented Illinois team.”

Prior to joining Southern Co., Ladner was an associate attorney for Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart in Birmingham, Ala. He also worked for U.S. Steel as a metallurgical engineer. Ladner received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law, as well as a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering with honors from the University of Alabama.

The American Gas Association (AGA) is highlighting two new studies by the American Gas Foundation (AGF) focused on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the use of emerging natural gas direct use technologies and the development of renewable natural gas.

“These two studies demonstrate how we will continue to use our vast, reliable and safe natural gas infrastructure to deliver affordable energy and drive down emissions,” said Karen Harbert, President and CEO of the American Gas Association. “By incorporating new, highly efficient natural gas appliances and using renewable natural gas, America’s natural gas utilities will reduce emissions along their systems and American homes can drastically cut emissions while maintaining the warmth and comfort they have grown to love from natural gas.”

NATURAL GAS DIRECT USE TECHNOLOGIES

The first study, conducted by Enovation Partners, demonstrates how widespread adoption of emerging natural gas direct use technologies could contribute significantly to achieving deep reductions in GHG emissions in the U.S. residential sector at much lower costs than other options under consideration. It estimates that natural gas residential emissions could be reduced by approximately 40 percent at a very competitive cost of $66 per metric ton of CO₂ emissions. On average, consumers who install the emerging high-efficiency technologies modeled in the study would also save $271 annually compared to existing technologies.

RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS

The second study, conducted by ICF, outlines the potential domestic resource base for renewable natural gas (RNG), the corresponding potential for emission reductions and associated costs. Notably, this study is the first to examine power-to-gas technology as a production method for renewable natural gas.

ICF estimates that by 2040 approximately 4,513 trillion Btu of RNG could be produced annually. Additionally, this equates to a 235 million metric ton reduction in GHG emissions, or a 95 percent reduction in emissions from the natural gas residential sector.[1] ICF found costs competitive with other GHG emission abatement options, beginning at $55 per metric ton of CO₂ emissions.

The Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC) elected Charles Matthews, President and CEO of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas as Chairman of the Board at its Annual Meeting on December 2 in Chicago.  Mr. Matthews succeeds Bruce Hauk, President of Illinois American Water Company.

The Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council was formed in 2015 to increase business opportunities for diverse suppliers through closer collaboration, technical development and sharing of best practices among leading Illinois utilities. IUBDC charter members include Ameren Illinois, Commonwealth Edison, Illinois American Water, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas.

"Today's IUBDC reflects the commitment among participating utilities to not just buy from diverse companies, but to truly engage in a systematic effort to expand the opportunities for all diverse companies to succeed over the long haul," said Matthews, who will serve a one-year term. "Our mantra at IUBDC is to open doors.  We did that in 2019 and I look forward to building on the success of my fellow utility leaders and continue to grow the influence of the Council in 2020."

At the Annual Meeting, IUBDC reported that its member-utilities spent a combined $1.05 billion on goods and services provided by minority, women owned, or veteran-owned companies.  Those transactions contributed an incremental $2.05 billion to the Illinois GDP and sparked an additional $341.5 million in tax revenues for state, federal, and local governments.

Later, at the Council's annual awards reception and stakeholder recognition event, IUBDC recognized several individuals for their achievements in increasing opportunities for diverse companies, and highlighted new programs and tools that are filling the pipeline of qualified diverse suppliers.  Among those recognized were:

• Jerry Fulmer – recipient of the Jerry Garland Award for Excellence in Supplier Diversity.
• Brien Sheahan – retiring Commissioner of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
• Regine Jeune and Joshua Davis.  Jeune, president of DB Sterlin Consultants, and Davis, president of Lyons View Manufacturing and Supply, were recipients of scholarships funded by IUBDC from the Kellogg Advanced Management Education Program at Northwestern University.