Microgrid Policy Barriers and Solutions
Monday, March 18, 2019 | Track A | 4:45 - 5:15 pm
Some of the most significant barriers to microgrid deployment are created by policy and regulatory environments that were not designed to enable microgrids. A variety of regulations do not anticipate the interaction of microgrids with the macrogrid and can have unanticipated effects on microgrid ownership, operation, and design. In general, barriers exist because existing policy regimes have not been efficiently adapted to make use of microgrid capabilities and to maximize the benefits of microgrids for all stakeholders. The resulting regulatory barriers inhibit microgrid deployment in three ways: by prohibiting the deployment of microgrid technologies, by imposing additional planning and design costs, and by preventing microgrids from operating in the most economically efficient way. Although various solutions to these barriers exist, uncertainty about which solutions will be ultimately chosen inhibits microgrid planners from making choices and investments in specific technologies today. NEMA published a study in 2018 identifying these issues and discussing proposed solutions.
Speaker
Speaker
Jonathan Stewart
Industry Director
Utility Products and Systems Division
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Jonathan is Industry Director in the Utility Products and Systems Division at NEMA, where he coordinate member activities related to energy management and grid modernization across 10 product sections. Prior to his current position, he was manager of government relations at NEMA. Prior to NEMA, Jonathan was a director at Andreae & Associates, a boutique international government relations consulting firm advising multinational corporations on strategic government engagement and political risk management. Jonathan holds a Doctor of Law (JD) from the UC Hastings College of Law, and a BA in philosophy from Brigham Young University.
Industry Director
Utility Products and Systems Division
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Jonathan is Industry Director in the Utility Products and Systems Division at NEMA, where he coordinate member activities related to energy management and grid modernization across 10 product sections. Prior to his current position, he was manager of government relations at NEMA. Prior to NEMA, Jonathan was a director at Andreae & Associates, a boutique international government relations consulting firm advising multinational corporations on strategic government engagement and political risk management. Jonathan holds a Doctor of Law (JD) from the UC Hastings College of Law, and a BA in philosophy from Brigham Young University.