Larry Stapleton

Insightful - to see the USA/CA perspective - post “Net Electricity Metering” thinking. Not sure I agree though that grid defection is an option let alone an objective. We need a better more efficient distribution networks (and not lumbered with monopoly integrated [actual or synthetic] vertically integrated utilities!! It’s the “Consumers’ Grid”‼️ “There’s a very clear price signal to homeowners that they should invest in clean energy in a way that sets them up to either defect or cooperate with the grid,” Krause added, explaining that net billing has accelerated this utility death spiral that makes self-consumption of solar energy more economical.”

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California’s energy landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation-and battery storage is at the heart of this evolution. What was once considered a “nice-to-have” is now an operational necessity for grid management and the continued growth of solar and renewables across the state. Distributed & Behind-the-Meter Storage: The Next Frontier The trend is clear: distributed battery deployments, whether near the meter or behind it, are critical for grid flexibility and resilience. Programs that aggregate these systems into virtual power plants have already demonstrated their effectiveness during grid emergencies, providing power exactly when and where it’s needed most. As battery prices hit historic lows and new chemistries like sodium-ion gain traction, the technology is ready for widespread adoption. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has long been touted as a game-changer. However, removing regulatory hurdles and the need for clear utility interconnection processes is required for wider adaption. The momentum is undeniable. With proven technology, supportive policies, and a growing ecosystem of innovators, now is the time for large-scale, distributed battery deployments to become the backbone of our clean energy future. Let’s keep building a resilient, sustainable grid-one battery at a time. #EnergyStorage #CleanEnergy #GridResilience #Renewables

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“Our analysis demonstrates that the DSGS program can deliver reliable, utility-scale capacity at a significantly lower cost than traditional solutions,” said Ryan Hledik, Principal at The Brattle Group and coauthor of the report. “As more Californians install home batteries, programs like DSGS will be an important opportunity to tap into those batteries to improve energy affordability, enhance system reliability, and advance decarbonization goals.” #der ☀️ 🔋 🏠 💥 ☀️ 🔋 $

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Tackling California Electric Rates: We Can't Fix Rates Without Fixing the CPUC One of the biggest barriers to lowering California's electric rates is the California Public Utilities Commission itself. Over the past month or so, I’ve posted on why we must reduce electric rates and some ideas on how to achieve real reductions. (Links in the comments.) But one place where there is a surprising amount of consensus is that the CPUC’s ossified processes and broken systems are perhaps the largest barrier to real change. The California Public Utilities Commission was created in 1911 as the Railroad Commission. Today, its 1,000+ staff members regulate everything from Uber to water quality to—yes, still—railroads, in addition to our electric and gas utilities. The agency is a combination of judicial and administrative processes that have evolved into something that would make #FranzKafka blush. Most critical decisions follow court-style rules of evidence and procedure, many containing over 10,000 pages of documents. Power is split between commissioners, staff, and administrative law judges. It's nearly impossible for regular people and organizations to participate meaningfully. The entities that can successfully engage? The utilities themselves, with armies of regulatory staff and attorneys. For example, rate cases are legally required to be completed in 18 months, but routinely take multiple years. In one case I was involved in, it took nearly five years (2018-2023) to decide how a customer should be able to click a button to share their own energy data with an app. This isn't mostly the fault of CPUC staff, many of whom are dedicated and hardworking. The system they operate within is simply broken, and the utilities are incredibly crafty at exploiting it. Meanwhile, the legislature piles on new mandates without additional funding or support. California needs a strong, nimble, savvy regulator for our monopoly energy system. We need this regulatory entity laser-focused on regulating utilities for reliability, safety, and affordability. My initial take is that much of the CPUC’s non-energy work should perhaps be transferred to other state agencies. You can make a good case that the California Energy Commission would be better suited to run the key energy-related public policy programs currently administered by the CPUC. Regardless, the agency needs to be restructured so that it can move quickly, take on complex issues, and appropriately take into account public input. As a constitutional entity, many of these changes will likely require a ballot measure. But we cannot expect better outcomes while maintaining the same broken regulatory structure.

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https://lnkd.in/gsa7kd-m Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) has agreed to acquire select Washington state generation, transmission, and electric utility operations from PacifiCorp (a Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary) for $1.9 billion. The deal includes three key generation facilities (Chehalis natural gas plant ~477 MW, Goodnoe Hills wind ~94 MW, and Marengo I/II wind ~234 MW), ~4,500 miles of transmission/distribution lines, and service to approximately 140,000 customers across ~2,700 square miles in Washington. #UtilitySector #EnergyTransition #MergersAndAcquisitions #CleanEnergy #InfrastructureInvestment #PacificNorthwest #ElectricUtilities #InvestmentNews #RenewableEnergy

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Excited to be heading to Aggie Square tomorrow for the MIX event and to be part of a conversation about what resilient, community-focused energy actually looks like in practice. In my recent post, I dove into why the microgrid market is set to nearly triple and why utilities and communities are starting to view microgrids as complete energy alternatives, not just temporary stopgaps—looking forward to carrying that discussion into the room with founders, policymakers, and partners who are building what comes next. BoxPower #Batteryenergystorage #Reliableenergy #Microgrids #Sacramento

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This is a great example of how microgrids and renewables build energy resilience in isolated communities—especially for critical services like fire stations. #Microgrid #BESS #EnergyStorage 

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⚡️🔌 ICYMI: ev.energy and Pacific Gas and Electric Company are Advancing California's Grid with Smarter EV Charging! Last week, we shared the exciting news: ev.energy is now an Automation Service Provider (ASP) in PG&E’s new 'Hourly Flex Pricing' (HFP) pilot! As our CEO, Nick Woolley, puts it: "This intelligent pilot aligns perfectly with our mission to make EV charging more accessible, sustainable, and affordable." This collaboration means our intelligent platform and intuitive mobile app will empower California EV drivers to seamlessly optimize charging based on dynamic electricity prices. Imagine your EV charging when energy is cleanest and most affordable – that's what we're making possible! This isn't just about convenience; it's about building a more resilient and sustainable energy future for California. We're uniquely positioned to support utilities in implementing dynamic pricing programs, delivering benefits like: 💰 Cost savings for EV owners ⚡ Enhanced grid stability and decarbonization ⬇️ Downward pressure on overall electricity rates We're incredibly excited to bring these benefits to even more drivers. Learn more about how you can earn incentives for smart charging by reading the full press release in the comments below! #EVCharging #DynamicRates #SmartCharging #ManagedCharging #DemandFlexibility #Renewables

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The PNW is powering up with Washington and Oregon pulling together the 2026 #Solar & Storage conference of the year!

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