Credit: Chris Buecheler
Several energy players in New York are questioning the wisdom of letting utilities both manage and compete in a first-of-its-kind distributed energy market the state is planning.
The Department of Public Service last week confirmed its intent to let utilities act as the distributed grid operator in a straw proposal for the market design of “Reforming the Energy Vision,” or REV.
The advisory document marks the state’s latest step in creating what may be the nation’s first distributed energy grid – one where microgrids, solar, energy efficiency and other forms of distributed energy will supplant large power plants in providing energy, capacity and other services to the system.
It came as little surprise last week when the DPS recommended that utilities manage the new grid. For several months DPS staff have signaled that they see utilities as best equipped to play the role. No other entities have decades of experience handling electric distribution.
But independent players are concerned that utilities will gain too much market power, since they would both manage the market and compete in it. The proposal allows utility affiliates to own and operate distributed energy.
The Microgrid Resources Coalition warned that a utility “cannot act as the neutral market maker for services required by the grid, if at the same time it is an interested party in providing the services.”
Having the utilities “act as an ‘aggregator of aggregators’ does not serve efficiency and asks for mischief,” the advocacy organization said in recently filed comments.
If utilities are allowed to own distributed energy, they should do so through unregulated subsidiaries subject to the same rules as independent competitors, MRC said.
The state already prohibits utilities from owning power plants out of concern that they would have unfair market advantage – since they own the transmission and distribution lines.
NRG Energy, one of the nation’s largest energy companies, said that the proposal gives utilities a “virtual blank check” to favor their own or their affiliates’ assets.
Even if safeguards are put in place to prohibit utilities from acting in their self-interest, “this type of market power will be extremely difficult for the commission to police,” NRG Energy said in its filing.
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NRG listed three circumstances where it sees potential for a utility to thwart independent competitors.
- Interconnection: As the market operator, the utility could slow down interconnection requests from competitors, while providing a smooth path for its affiliates. “The New York distribution system (particularly in New York City) is complicated, and thus anti-competitive behavior would be incredibly difficult to indemnify and police,” NRG said.
- Dispatch Decisions: The utilities would control the dispatch of distributed generation, and therefore the earning power of competitors. The utility could better position its assets for dispatch because, as distributed grid operator, it would have better market information.
- Cross-Subsidization: NRG said it “is virtually a certainty” that there will be cross subsidization between the regulated utility and its unregulated affiliates. This would put competitors at a disadvantage since they would not have the backing of ratepayer revenue.
NRG recommended two alternatives: Designate a fully independent entity to acts as distributed grid operator; or if utilities play the role, then mandate that they and their affiliates have no financial interest in the new market.
New York utilities, however, see the issue differently.
In a joint filing New York’s utilities argue that they are “the only viable choice” to operate the distributed energy platform.
The utilities said that they “have planned, designed and operated the New York distribution grid for many decades and possess unique knowledge and experience in the operation of the distribution system.”
The market will be transparent and fair since utilities are subject to regulatory oversight, said Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Consolidated Edison, National Grid, New York State Electric & Gas, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Rochester Gas and Electric, in a commission filing.
A final decision rests with the state public service commission; it is expected to rule early next year. As a next step the commission will accept comments on the straw proposal until September 22.
The proceeding is drawing a great deal of attention. The state has received input from 259 companies, trade groups, environmental organizations and other energy players.
Despite disagreements over the particulars of REV, including utility control, the reform is widely seen as the start of a major transformation in the electric power industry. New York’s move to create a first-time distributed energy grid is likely to influence other states and ultimately boost microgrids and other forms of distributed energy.
