MDV-SEIA to SCC: Deploy Energy Storage in a Way That Provides the Greatest Benefits and Savings for the Commonwealth
For Immediate Release
MDV-SEIA to SCC: Energy Storage Must Maximize Savings to Ratepayers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 29, 2020
As the State Corporation Commission (SCC) implements Virginia’s landmark clean energy legislation, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), it solicits input on how best to deploy storage resources, like batteries and other storage resources. The Virginia solar trade association, MDV-SEIA, submitted comments (see here) detailing how storage is vital to integrating renewable resources, improving grid resiliency, and ultimately saving ratepayers in infrastructure investments.
“Passing the Virginia Clean Economy Act set our state on a path to an affordable, pollution-free energy future,” said MDV-SEIA’s Executive Director David Murray. “To bring that bright future to reality, we have to get the rules right, especially as they relate to one of the bill’s key provisions: energy storage deployment. We appreciate the opportunity to work with stakeholders and regulators to establish meaningful targets and define parameters that will ensure the intent of the VCEA is fulfilled.”
“Energy storage is a critical component of a reliable clean energy grid. Defining storage targets that complement Virginia’s strong clean energy policies will be the foundation for that reliability and allow us to deploy a storage in a way that provides the greatest benefits and savings for the Commonwealth,” said MDV-SEIA’s Virginia Policy and Development Manager Rachel Smucker.
MDV-SEIA’s recommendations included the need for:
A diverse set of project sizes, applications and configurations to maximize benefit for ratepayers, including the creation of subcategories for distribution- and transmission- connected resources.
Updating Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) requirements to better model energy storage resources.
Development of behind-the-meter (BTM) programs, including peak demand reduction programs and incentives for resilience and low- to medium-income households.
Setting interim target deadlines for storage deployment and a defined ownership split for each interim target for both APCo and Dominion.
MDV-SEIA and the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) also submitted joint comments to the Virginia State Corporation Commission in PUR-2020-00124 Multi Family Shared Solar Rulemaking and in PUR-2020-00125 Shared Solar Rulemaking last week.
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ABOUT MDV-SEIA:
Maryland D.C. Virginia Solar Energy Industry Association (MDV-SEIA) is the second-largest state affiliate of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) with over 160 member organizations, representing over 10,000 solar jobs in the region. Through direct advocacy, policy formation, regulatory intervention and market representation, MDV-SEIA strives to develop and implement strong solar policies to ensure continued market formation for all solar segments in this region and beyond.
MEDIA CONTACT:
David Murray, Executive Director
Rachel Smucker, Virginia Policy and Development Manager MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industry Association director@mdvseia.org
C: 717-682-2751
