Blog
Incisive commentary from RAP experts
RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
Filter >>
Content Filter:
When Utility Gas Affiliates Play by Monopoly Rules, Consumers Are Likely to Lose
Can monopolies with market power send business to other regulated monopolies? Can one monopoly create a “need” for which ratepayers will be charged by another related monopoly? As it stands right now, the answer to both these questions is yes. View Summary +
Renewable Portfolio Standards: Options from US Experience
China is in the midst of creating a quota system for renewable energy. The policy may resemble that used in many U.S. states known as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), but China’s electricity market and regulatory structures are unique, as… View Summary +
„Efficiency First“ muss zum Grundpfeiler der europäischen Energieunion werden
Die deutsche Bundesregierung hat sich „Efficiency First“ auf die Fahnen geschrieben und auch der Koalitionsvertrag der neuen Regierung macht sich dieses Prinzip zu eigen. Andere EU‑Mitgliedsstaaten sind hier offensichtlich noch skeptisch. Laut einem durchgesickerten Dokument des Rates der Europäischen… View Summary +
Small district heating systems key to improving Poland’s air quality
Small, coal-fired district heating systems are a major source of air pollution in Poland. Applying EU regulations would go some way toward solving this problem, write Edith Bayer and Richard Cowart of global energy policy advisors Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP),… View Summary +
Leveling the Playing Field for Storage Resources in China’s Electricity Markets: A View from the U.S.
In February, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized a historic rule on participation of storage resources in the “ISO/RTO” wholesale electricity markets. ISO/RTO markets cover about two-thirds of the United States and are roughly analogous to the… View Summary +
美国经验：储能资源如何直接参与现货市场竞争？
今年2月，美国联邦能源监管委员会(FERC)为确保储能资源能够参与到“ISO/RTO”的批发电力市场竞争中，颁布了具有历史性意义的一部法规。ISO/RTO市场与中国几个省内正在进行试点工作的现货市场具有很大相似性。ISO/RTO是负责监管市场的独立机构，起到了系统运营商（在中国，被称为“调度中心”）的角色，并且管理着输电系统，确保它面向市场的所有买卖双方公平开放。电力公司通常是输电资产的拥有者，他们将输电资产的运营交由ISO/RTO负责。 这项法规将会有助于拓宽公平参与ISO/RTO市场竞争的范围，以便储能—不久后还会有其他分布式资源—将可以直接与传统的资源（比如燃煤和燃气发电厂）直接竞争。法规要求每一个ISO/RTO在接下来的9个月内（年底前）完成和FERC的合规上报，合规将概括出为了促进储能资源参与市场，关于市场规则和电价应作出的变动，包括配电网甚至是终端用户中的小型储能（“电表后面”）。今年后半年，FERC在考虑如何处理负荷集成整合和其他棘手问题后，将会更进一步的考虑分布式能源资源。… View Summary +
Energy Efficiency 2.0: New Questions, Same Answer
One of RAP’s longtime mantras is: “Efficiency is the answer. What’s the question?” We’ve demonstrated that energy efficiency provides a “layer cake” of multiple benefits, that it could help us meet almost a third of power system demand… View Summary +
Deutschland muss endlich den europäischen Strommarkt unterstützen
Der EU-Energiebinnenmarkt würde enorme Werte schaffen. Verbraucher könnten von Milliardeneinsparungen profitieren, Jahr für Jahr. Doch die Nationalstaaten blockieren. Insbesondere Deutschland muss endlich seiner Verantwortung als zentrales Bindeglied im europäischen Stromnetz nachkommen, fordern Philip Baker und Andreas Jahn vom Regulatory Assistance… View Summary +
Don’t be fooled: ‘Efficiency First’ is a necessary discipline
The idea of “Efficiency First” is on the line in ongoing EU talks. Member States must realise that this is no mere slogan but a real necessity, write Dr. Jan Rosenow, Richard Cowart, and Edith Bayer. According to a… View Summary +
Regional cooperation and integrated energy markets at risk
A much more interconnected European energy market, ensuring regional cooperation and cutting out waste, makes so much sense for consumers, for security of supply, and for decarbonisation. When the European Commission first outlined its vision for a genuine Energy Union… View Summary +
