Synergistic Microgrid Business Models

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 | 2:30 am - 3:30 pm

One of the challenges in developing community microgrids is how a combination of essential community facilities may be integrated into a microgrid in an economically viable manner. Unlike commercial microgrids that may easily justify paying a substantial premium for the reliability provided in the context of high value operations in a single facility, a community may not be able to afford to include a broad range of facilities into a microgrid. A synergistic microgrid business model may offer the potential to leverage a range of community assets (load and generation) where the varying characteristics of those assets enable the creation of an economically viable portfolio. A key aspect of a synergistic microgrid is to identify opportunities to enhance the value of a portfolio of resources by leveraging resource characteristics.

One example of such a synergistic microgrid would be the development of a community microgrid including electric vehicle charging facilities. The microgrid may or may not be commercially feasible excluding the vehicle charging facilities; however, due to the networked and programmable ability of the charging facilities and the price benefits of charging during the hours when rates are low or even negative (system over-generation), this type of microgrid provides a greater ability to arbitrage compared to an EV charging facility combined only with storage. Thereby, the value created by the whole microgrid (including the EV charging facilities) is greater than the sum of its parts.

The purpose of this panel is to explore and possibly identify such opportunities explicitly with the objective of providing examples where a combination of resources expands the value of the whole portfolio.

Speakers:


Shiv Mani develops, leads, and implements national electricity policy with respect to new energy technologies, renewable energy, distributed resources, microgrids and innovative electricity market design as a senior analyst in the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). His background spans the whole spectrum of electricity markets from wholesale power generation, transmission and retail distribution including utility regulation and third party supply. Shiv has played a leading role in the restructuring and deregulation of the power industry, in the development of demand response and in developing national transmission policy.

Over the past 20 years, he has provided executive level strategic and technical leadership to energy companies, RTOs/ISOs, utilities, governments, corporations, financial institutions and consumer advocates in transmission planning, retail energy solutions, electricity market design, natural gas market dynamics, incentive regulation, energy efficiency, demand response and the integration of distributed generation and variable resources. Shiv has a B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from the University of Delhi and a M.S. degree in Environmental and Regulatory Economics from the University of Wyoming.


James Ellis is the Senior Director of Utility Solutions for ChargePoint, the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network. In this role, James advises electric utilities and other key stakeholders on electric vehicle trends, market engagement and investment opportunities, and supports the development of policies and programs to accelerate the adoption of EVs and EV charging equipment and services. Prior to joining ChargePoint, James served as the Director of Electrification and Electric Vehicles for Pacific Gas and Electric Company with a focus on developing products and programs to support customer needs in the fastest growing EV market in the United States (US). During this time, James also served as a board member for the California Electric Transportation Coalition and the California Plug-In Vehicle Collaborative, working with government and industry stakeholders to identify and advocate for accelerated transportation electrification through incentives, infrastructure, education and outreach initiatives. James has also held additional leadership positions in the automotive and utility industries, including EV Regional Manager for Nissan North America in the Corporate Planning and Sales & Marketing organizations and Senior Manager for Transportation and Infrastructure in the Environment and Technology Innovation organization at the Tennessee Valley Authority, developing and implementing electrification programs and metrics, leading utility plug-in readiness activities and carbon reductions strategies.


Mr. Morrison specializes in the analysis of regulations and programs designed to preserve environmental quality, enhance health and safety, and improve the management of natural resources. His expertise ranges from applied economics and risk assessment to the development of guidance and outreach materials to support program implementation. Mr. Morrison has employed these skills in a wide range of projects for public agencies, including Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Mr. Morrison is a graduate of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he earned a Master's degree in Public Policy and was awarded a Harvard University fellowship. He received his B.A. from St. Lawrence University, where he graduated summa cum laude with Honors in Government.

*Note: This panelist is participating in a private and individual capacity and he is not representing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any other United States government agency. The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are the author's views and do not reflect the opinions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any other U.S. government agency.