Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab
@berkeleylabemp.bsky.social
The Energy Markets & Planning (EMP) department at Berkeley Lab inspires and informs impactful solutions to existing and emerging global energy challenges through objective and timely research and technical assistance. emp.lbl.gov
The Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X™) enables simpler, faster, and fairer interconnection of new energy resources on distribution and transmission systems while enhancing the reliability, resiliency, and security of electric grids. Learn more at emp.lbl.gov/interconnect....
September 4, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X™) enables simpler, faster, and fairer interconnection of new energy resources on distribution and transmission systems while enhancing the reliability, resiliency, and security of electric grids. Learn more at emp.lbl.gov/interconnect....
Join a free i2X webinar to discuss innovations in allocating interconnection-related costs for distribution upgrades among beneficiaries for economic efficiency. September 29.
With panelists from @Mass_DPU, @NMPRC1, @New_Leaf_Energy, and @Current_Energy_.
Register at lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
With panelists from @Mass_DPU, @NMPRC1, @New_Leaf_Energy, and @Current_Energy_.
Register at lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Join a free i2X webinar to discuss innovations in allocating interconnection-related costs for distribution upgrades among beneficiaries for economic efficiency. September 29.
With panelists from @Mass_DPU, @NMPRC1, @New_Leaf_Energy, and @Current_Energy_.
Register at lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
With panelists from @Mass_DPU, @NMPRC1, @New_Leaf_Energy, and @Current_Energy_.
Register at lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us August 21 for an i2X webinar on how closer alignment between distributed energy interconnection and long-term grid planning can improve economic efficiency and reduce costs. Panelists include Eversource, NC Utilities Commission, and the NY PSC.
Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
August 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Join us August 21 for an i2X webinar on how closer alignment between distributed energy interconnection and long-term grid planning can improve economic efficiency and reduce costs. Panelists include Eversource, NC Utilities Commission, and the NY PSC.
Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
“Regulatory sandboxes” allow utilities to test and scale innovations in a structured environment. Learn how they are being applied to advanced grid technologies on a free @BerkeleyLab webinar. August 13, 2pm Eastern/ 11 am Pacific. Register at naruc-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi....
August 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
“Regulatory sandboxes” allow utilities to test and scale innovations in a structured environment. Learn how they are being applied to advanced grid technologies on a free @BerkeleyLab webinar. August 13, 2pm Eastern/ 11 am Pacific. Register at naruc-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi....
Learn more about how these mechanisms create an ongoing laboratory to test innovative ideas for advanced grid technologies, respond to changing grid needs, and document impacts, benefits, and lessons learned. Download the @BerkeleyLab report at emp.lbl.gov/publications.... 5/x
July 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Learn more about how these mechanisms create an ongoing laboratory to test innovative ideas for advanced grid technologies, respond to changing grid needs, and document impacts, benefits, and lessons learned. Download the @BerkeleyLab report at emp.lbl.gov/publications.... 5/x
A dozen jurisdictions across the U.S. are using sandbox-type mechanisms to trial advanced grid technologies like dynamic line rating and smart distribution circuits, new customer programs, and resilience and cybersecurity strategies. 3/x
July 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
A dozen jurisdictions across the U.S. are using sandbox-type mechanisms to trial advanced grid technologies like dynamic line rating and smart distribution circuits, new customer programs, and resilience and cybersecurity strategies. 3/x
We categorize four types of innovation mechanisms—regulatory sandboxes as well as complementary approaches, such as funding opportunities, pilot processes, and rate cases and rulemakings that include innovation initiatives. 2/x
July 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
We categorize four types of innovation mechanisms—regulatory sandboxes as well as complementary approaches, such as funding opportunities, pilot processes, and rate cases and rulemakings that include innovation initiatives. 2/x
Advanced grid technologies don’t easily scale under traditional regulatory approaches. “Regulatory sandboxes” allow utilities to test innovations in a structured environment and rapidly scale successful approaches. Our new report talks about how to do that. <THREAD> 💡🔌
July 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Advanced grid technologies don’t easily scale under traditional regulatory approaches. “Regulatory sandboxes” allow utilities to test innovations in a structured environment and rapidly scale successful approaches. Our new report talks about how to do that. <THREAD> 💡🔌
Grid Resilience Planning for Severe Storms in the East and Southeast: Join us on June 16, 2–5 pm ET, for an interactive webinar on grid resilience planning. Experts will discuss planning for severe storms and hurricanes and answer questions from participants.
Register: lbnl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Register: lbnl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
June 2, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Grid Resilience Planning for Severe Storms in the East and Southeast: Join us on June 16, 2–5 pm ET, for an interactive webinar on grid resilience planning. Experts will discuss planning for severe storms and hurricanes and answer questions from participants.
Register: lbnl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Register: lbnl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
The Energy Innovator Fellowship is looking for recent grads to help advance solutions at critical energy organizations. Help us spread the word about this (paid!) opportunity.
Learn more: bit.ly/3SVv2de #ExperienceORISE #Energy @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
Learn more: bit.ly/3SVv2de #ExperienceORISE #Energy @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
May 28, 2025 at 4:31 AM
The Energy Innovator Fellowship is looking for recent grads to help advance solutions at critical energy organizations. Help us spread the word about this (paid!) opportunity.
Learn more: bit.ly/3SVv2de #ExperienceORISE #Energy @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
Learn more: bit.ly/3SVv2de #ExperienceORISE #Energy @berkeleylab.lbl.gov
For even more information, see our landmark research on the interconnection queues, in the report Queued Up. Find also recorded webinars, interactive data sets, and more, at emp.lbl.gov/queues. /END
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
For even more information, see our landmark research on the interconnection queues, in the report Queued Up. Find also recorded webinars, interactive data sets, and more, at emp.lbl.gov/queues. /END
Policymakers are actively working with stakeholders to improve procedural rules for interconnection but commonly cite the lack of data and transparency as a gap to evidence-based decision-making. We hope these data will shed light on the process. 8/x
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Policymakers are actively working with stakeholders to improve procedural rules for interconnection but commonly cite the lack of data and transparency as a gap to evidence-based decision-making. We hope these data will shed light on the process. 8/x
A big factor is the cost of network upgrades, which are often billed to project developers to overcome transmission constraints. The wide range of interconnection costs across the country and by situation illustrates the uncertainty and lack of uniformity of the process. 6/x
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
A big factor is the cost of network upgrades, which are often billed to project developers to overcome transmission constraints. The wide range of interconnection costs across the country and by situation illustrates the uncertainty and lack of uniformity of the process. 6/x
Interconnection service can either be firm (capacity) or as-available (energy). One would expect that as-available service would cost less, be approved more quickly, and be less likely to trigger grid upgrades, but our evidence suggests that is often not the case. 5/x
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Interconnection service can either be firm (capacity) or as-available (energy). One would expect that as-available service would cost less, be approved more quickly, and be less likely to trigger grid upgrades, but our evidence suggests that is often not the case. 5/x
Interconnection costs have risen over time. Projects withdrawn in recent years had costs 23% greater than the preceding 5 years and more than double those before 2014. Costs are much greater for withdrawn projects ($373 per kW) than for those that completed interconnection studies ($73 per kW). 3/x
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Interconnection costs have risen over time. Projects withdrawn in recent years had costs 23% greater than the preceding 5 years and more than double those before 2014. Costs are much greater for withdrawn projects ($373 per kW) than for those that completed interconnection studies ($73 per kW). 3/x
Massive growth in solar and battery development has led to the queue backlog. Since 2010 the queue has grown >5X and the process length has nearly doubled. To get more details about what’s going on, we analyzed 5000 interconnection studies to create a first-of-a-kind cost database. 2/X
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Massive growth in solar and battery development has led to the queue backlog. Since 2010 the queue has grown >5X and the process length has nearly doubled. To get more details about what’s going on, we analyzed 5000 interconnection studies to create a first-of-a-kind cost database. 2/X
We reported earlier on the massive backlog for grid interconnection. To better understand the dynamics and what solutions may be available, we just published “Grid connection barriers to renewable energy deployment in the United States,” in the journal Joule. THREAD! emp.lbl.gov/publications...
January 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
We reported earlier on the massive backlog for grid interconnection. To better understand the dynamics and what solutions may be available, we just published “Grid connection barriers to renewable energy deployment in the United States,” in the journal Joule. THREAD! emp.lbl.gov/publications...
Community solar is growing, but customers can be confused when they get separate bills from a community solar company and from their utility. A new report by NREL and @berkeleylab.lbl.gov explores issues around consolidated billing for community solar. emp.lbl.gov/publications...
January 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Community solar is growing, but customers can be confused when they get separate bills from a community solar company and from their utility. A new report by NREL and @berkeleylab.lbl.gov explores issues around consolidated billing for community solar. emp.lbl.gov/publications...
FERC Order 1920 sets requirements on planning and cost allocation for new transmission. State officials can learn about 1920 at a free educational session offered by @ENERGY, @NARUC, @NASEO_Energy and national labs.
Friday, December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Friday, December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 2, 2024 at 8:54 PM
FERC Order 1920 sets requirements on planning and cost allocation for new transmission. State officials can learn about 1920 at a free educational session offered by @ENERGY, @NARUC, @NASEO_Energy and national labs.
Friday, December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Friday, December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We teamed up with Synapse Energy Economics on a joint report: Best Practices in Integrated Resource Planning: A guide for planners developing the electricity resource mix of the future.
Read it here: live-lbl-eta-publications.pantheonsite.io/sites/defaul...
Read it here: live-lbl-eta-publications.pantheonsite.io/sites/defaul...
December 2, 2024 at 6:36 PM
We teamed up with Synapse Energy Economics on a joint report: Best Practices in Integrated Resource Planning: A guide for planners developing the electricity resource mix of the future.
Read it here: live-lbl-eta-publications.pantheonsite.io/sites/defaul...
Read it here: live-lbl-eta-publications.pantheonsite.io/sites/defaul...
FERC Order 1920 sets requirements on planning and cost allocation for new transmission. State officials can learn about 1920 at a free educational session offered by DOE, @NARUC, @NASEO_Energy and national labs.
On December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM
FERC Order 1920 sets requirements on planning and cost allocation for new transmission. State officials can learn about 1920 at a free educational session offered by DOE, @NARUC, @NASEO_Energy and national labs.
On December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On December 6. Register today at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
FERC Order 1920 sets requirements on planning and cost allocation for new transmission. State officials can learn about 1920 at a free educational session offered by DOE, NARUC, NASEO and national labs.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iiulrtyDT8y49O6o2ICWgw#/registration
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iiulrtyDT8y49O6o2ICWgw#/registration
November 18, 2024 at 7:56 PM
FERC Order 1920 sets requirements on planning and cost allocation for new transmission. State officials can learn about 1920 at a free educational session offered by DOE, NARUC, NASEO and national labs.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iiulrtyDT8y49O6o2ICWgw#/registration
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iiulrtyDT8y49O6o2ICWgw#/registration
Distributed energy and electrification are making big changes in the distribution grid. If you work for a state energy agency, sign up for free training on integrated distribution system planning.
https://energycentral.com/c/pip/free-training-planning-electrification-and-distributed-energy-resources
https://energycentral.com/c/pip/free-training-planning-electrification-and-distributed-energy-resources
October 30, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Distributed energy and electrification are making big changes in the distribution grid. If you work for a state energy agency, sign up for free training on integrated distribution system planning.
https://energycentral.com/c/pip/free-training-planning-electrification-and-distributed-energy-resources
https://energycentral.com/c/pip/free-training-planning-electrification-and-distributed-energy-resources
TODAY -- Join a webinar with the authors to learn about Berkeley Lab’s annual Utility Scale Solar report. Data on trends, performance, prices, costs, and value.
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
October 29, 2024 at 1:15 PM
TODAY -- Join a webinar with the authors to learn about Berkeley Lab’s annual Utility Scale Solar report. Data on trends, performance, prices, costs, and value.
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
TOMORROW -- Join a webinar with the authors to learn about Berkeley Lab’s annual Utility Scale Solar report. Data on trends, performance, prices, costs, and value.
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
October 28, 2024 at 1:14 PM
TOMORROW -- Join a webinar with the authors to learn about Berkeley Lab’s annual Utility Scale Solar report. Data on trends, performance, prices, costs, and value.
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ
Tuesday, October 29 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
Register at: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yArpXdN8RaiDskswaVErAQ