New York State’s goals are to reduce economy-wide (not just electricity sector) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Over the past year, the implementation of TOTS, CES, and ZECs, as well as the value stack rate design and REV, have moved the State closer to achieving its carbon policy objectives. However, the wholesale electricity market is not aligned with the State’s aggressive decarbonization goal. As such, the NYISO asked the Brattle Group to evaluate how carbon pricing can be incorporated within wholesale markets, and their findings were released in a report last week. If implemented, electricity rates for all customers will increase, but by how much? Read on to find out the potential impact on electricity rates. [Read more…]
Peak Load Management Primer
As a consumer of electricity from the grid, you pay for both the actual energy you consume (the kilowatt hours) and the amount of energy that needs to be available to serve your account based on your peak load(kW demand). This peak kW, or peak load contribution / capacity tag / cap obligation (various names depending on market), can comprise up to 50% of your supply bill and more than 30% of your total electricity bill (supply + delivery). [Read more…]