A Regional Comparison of Smart Grids
SPEED Cultural Political Health/safety Energy Technology Deployment Environmental Technical Economic
Source: FERC, 2012
Generation Transmission Storage Distribution Consumption blackhillsenergy.com
Study Design Smart Grid Three Methods Policy and Document Analysis Media Analysis Focus Groups Three RTOs Five States Utilities ISO-NE Massachusetts, Vermont MISO Minnesota, Illinois ERCOT Texas
Different characteristics of the three regional markets ISO-New England (6 states) MISO-Midwest ISO (All or most of 8 states, parts of 3 states) ERCOT-Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Most of 1 state) Multi-level governance need Mid High Low Prior interstate cooperation Mid Low High Similar state interests Mid Low High Carbon intensity of electricity production Low High Mid Regulation of electricity market All but VT restructured All but IL traditionally regulated Wholesale and retail electricity markets are restructured Renewable Portfolio Standard or Goal All states, NH with goal All states but KY, IN, SD, and ND with goal Yes
Key Actor Orientations Key Actors Consumers Government (National, State, Local) Incumbent Actors: Electric Utilities New Actors: IT/Energy companies Environmental advocates Priorities & Perspectives Reliability, low-rates, limited influence Jurisdictionally complex regulation competing interests Maintaining reliable service, responding to consumers Innovative & entrepreneurial Low carbon shift & renewable energy Energy system researchers Technologically optimistic
Some Regional and State Differences Source: FERC, 2012
SUPERSTORM SANDY OCT (28-30) 2012 $65.6 billion estimated cost NASA GEOS-13 View, October 28, 2012 Cover page. Bloomberg Businessweek. November 1, 2012.
u Financial support from National Science Foundation (NSF-SES 1127697)
How is Smart Grid presented in the media? American A Recovery and Reinvestment Act 1998 2002 2007 2009 2012 Number of Newspaper Articles
FOCUS GROUPS
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SMART GRID Frames Benefits Risks Technical Improve infrastructure, enhance reliability, renewable integration Increased vulnerability, cyber- attacks, uncertain reliability of smart meters Economic Environmental Efficiency, strengthen economy (jobs, manufacturing), lower costs due to reduced need for new facilities Reduce GHGs or carbon emission, mitigate climate change, energy conservation, less air pollution Increased cost of electricity, cost of Smart Grid outweighs benefits Potential threat to ecological health i.e. bird-kills, protected species, habitat destruction Health & Safety Reduced respiratory problems Concerns of residents wellbeing (i.e. wireless radiation, headaches) Political Positive political ramifications, i.e. energy independence, enhanced national security, energy security Negative political ramifications, i.e. public frustrations, difficult legal and regulatory process Cultural (includes aesthetics) Consumer awareness of consumption behavior & costs, behavioral change, community impact. Privacy concerns, fear of loss of control over appliances or data, inequality concerns (e.g. elderly, low income)
METHODS ` Step 1 Document Collection Documents Step 2 Code documents for Technology and Motivation Motivations Technologies Step 3 Code Technology and Motivation for Social Context Social Context
DATA SOURCES Sources Types of Documents RTO RTO websites of MISO, ISO-NE and ERCOT Reports, modeling exercises, technology demonstrations, FERC filings, state filings, business practice manuals, white papers, market reports
DOCUMENT SAMPLE Work in Progress: Coded 60 RTO policy documents ISO NE MISO ERCOT Current TOTAL GOAL RTO 20 20 20 60 60 STAT
Motivations Standards and Policies Renewables Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management Distributed Generation Technologies Transmission and Distribution Storage Sensors, Protection, IT & Communication Meters Renewable Generation Non-Renewable Generation Electric Vehicles Consumer Load Appliances Consumer Interface Tools Social Context Technological Political Health and Safety Environmental Economic Cultural
MOTIVATION ISO-NE Increased Renewables Increased Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management or Demand Response Distributed Generation Adopt and Integrate Mandates and Standards LOW MEDIUM HIGH 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Increased Renewables MISO Increased Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management or Demand Response Distributed Generation LOW MEDIUM HIGH Adopt and Integrate Mandates and Standards 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Increased Renewables ERCOT Increased Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management or Demand Response Distributed Generation LOW MEDIUM HIGH Adopt and Integrate Mandates and Standards 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Number of documents
QUOTES This is a major step forward toward developing a Smart Grid system in the Midwest, said John R. Bear, President and CEO of the Midwest ISO. Synchrophasors will bring a new level of measurement to the grid, similar to what the MRI has done for diagnostic medicine. We will be able to view vital measurements at strategic points along the interconnected transmission network at a level that was previously impossible to reach, (MISO 2010).