3rd Annual Grid Modernization Index Finds California, Illinois, Texas, Maryland, And Delaware Leading The Charge

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The GridWise Alliance, in collaboration with Clean Edge, Inc., today announced the release of the 3^rd Annual Grid Modernization Index (GMI). The Index ranks and assesses all 50 states and the District of Columbia, based upon the degree to which they have moved toward a modernized electric grid. The Grid Modernization Index report is available for download at www.gridwise.org and www.cleanedge.com.

For the third time in a row, California is the highest-ranked state, with a score of 88, more than six points higher than its score in the previous Index. The state ranks first in the Customer Engagement category (as it did in the previous GMI), and second in both State Support and Grid Operations. California has a nearly seven-point lead over second-place Illinois, while Texas (which was neck and neck with California for the top score in the previous GMI) ranks third. Maryland and Delaware (leaders on the East Coast) each move up a spot to fourth and fifth respectively. Rounding out the top ten are Washington, DC, Oregon, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

"Electricity lies at the heart of our economy, and it must evolve to serve the needs of an increasingly low-carbon, always-on, digital economy," said Steve Hauser, CEO of the GridWise Alliance. "We are pleased to see continued progress across the country this year, but the survey shows that we are just getting started."

Based on survey data collected in June-October 2015, the Index benchmarks states on a wide range of grid modernization policies, investments, and activities, and provides insights into some of the relationships and connections between state policies and regulations, customer engagement, and utility investments in modernizing the grid. This year's Index shows once again that most of the activity is focused in a few states, although nearly all states have begun to address these issues.

"These changes are difficult for policymakers," said Scott Prochazka, CEO of Centerpoint Energy and Chairman of the GridWise Alliance. "It's critical to ensure that the public good is served while enabling individual rights and choices. The findings from this GMI study do an excellent job of guiding the industry on critical investments that must be made."  

A number of major grid-related developments highlighted in this year's summary report include:

• CALIFORNIA now requires its major investor-owned utilities to submit distributed resource plans (DRPs) that detail how they will value distributed energy resources (DERs) as distribution grid assets.
• NEW YORK's landmark Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative recognizes the need for advanced metering functionality (such as smart meters), which is serving as a foundational investment to enable New York to achieve its ultimate goal: reforming the retail market to leverage DERs to optimize the electric system.
• HAWAII increased its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 100 percent by 2045. The steps it takes to address grid modernization will be carefully tracked by others looking to institute similar targets.
• MASSACHUSETTS required its utilities to submit grid modernization plans by September 2015. Utilities' proposals include additional smart meters, experiments with time-of-use and critical peak pricing tariffs, and DER management systems.

The Index report covers many other developments at the state and federal level, and offers Six Key Takeaways, providing lessons and best practices for a rapidly modernizing grid. Takeaways include the fact that continuing to fund grid modernization investments is a challenge for many states; that some key factors associated with high GMI scores are advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) penetration, electric market deregulation, and the presence of demand response programs; and that the source of leadership for grid modernization efforts (executive branch, legislators, regulators, etc.) varies widely from state to state.

About Gridwise Alliance
The GridWise Alliance (GWA) represents the broad and diverse stakeholders that design, build, and operate the electric grid. Since 2003, the GridWise Alliance has been at the forefront of educating key industry stakeholders on the critical need to modernize our nation's electricity system. For more information about the GridWise Alliance, visit: www.gridwise.org.

About Clean Edge, Inc.
Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, delivers an unparalleled suite of clean-energy benchmarking services including stock indexes, utility and consumer surveys, and state and metro leadership tracking, providing companies, investors, NGOs, and governments with timely research, trending analysis, and actionable insights. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech trends, or for more information on the company, visit www.cleanedge.com or follow us on Twitter @CleanEdgeInc.

Media Contacts:
Bryan Nicholson
Executive Director
GridWise Alliance
[email protected]
(202) 530-9740 

Ron Pernick
Founder and Managing Director
Clean Edge, Inc.
[email protected]
(503) 493-8681

Note:
Report Graphics Available Upon Request

SOURCE Clean Edge, Inc.; GridWise Alliance

Related Links

http://www.cleanedge.com