Tim Simard
@tsimardvt.bsky.social
Digital Communications Associate at @regassistproj.bsky.social (RAP). Interested in all things #cleanenergy #energytransition #energyefficiency, etc. Dad rock expert. Obscure music fan. Views are mine.
Huge news out of @regassistproj.bsky.social today. We're introducing our new Council of Commissioners. Check out this 🧵!
🚨RAP is thrilled to officially introduce our Council of Commissioners!
This peer group will leverage former regulators’ expertise to unlock affordable energy for Americans. See our full announcement: bit.ly/47MVLjf
This peer group will leverage former regulators’ expertise to unlock affordable energy for Americans. See our full announcement: bit.ly/47MVLjf
November 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Huge news out of @regassistproj.bsky.social today. We're introducing our new Council of Commissioners. Check out this 🧵!
Reposted by Tim Simard
🔌How can electricity tariffs support the EE1st principle?
Join the ENEFIRST Plus online workshop.
📆Tue 8 Oct
🕛12:30 CEST.
🌟Featuring RAP’s @patozsu.bsky.social on dynamic tariffs & consumer impacts.
🔗Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fe6d81...
#EnergyEfficiency #CleanEnergy #LIFEprogramme
Join the ENEFIRST Plus online workshop.
📆Tue 8 Oct
🕛12:30 CEST.
🌟Featuring RAP’s @patozsu.bsky.social on dynamic tariffs & consumer impacts.
🔗Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fe6d81...
#EnergyEfficiency #CleanEnergy #LIFEprogramme
October 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🔌How can electricity tariffs support the EE1st principle?
Join the ENEFIRST Plus online workshop.
📆Tue 8 Oct
🕛12:30 CEST.
🌟Featuring RAP’s @patozsu.bsky.social on dynamic tariffs & consumer impacts.
🔗Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fe6d81...
#EnergyEfficiency #CleanEnergy #LIFEprogramme
Join the ENEFIRST Plus online workshop.
📆Tue 8 Oct
🕛12:30 CEST.
🌟Featuring RAP’s @patozsu.bsky.social on dynamic tariffs & consumer impacts.
🔗Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fe6d81...
#EnergyEfficiency #CleanEnergy #LIFEprogramme
Happening today! Looking forward to this panel and the conversation to follow.
Climate Week NYC is coming up! 🌍
On Sept. 23, RAP CEO @katherinehdixon.bsky.social will join the Crux Alliance panel “The Hidden Hero of Climate Action: The Heat Pump Story” alongside global experts.
📅 Sept. 23, 3–4:30 p.m.
📍 Motto by Hilton Chelsea, NYC
Details + RSVP: bit.ly/466kZbq
On Sept. 23, RAP CEO @katherinehdixon.bsky.social will join the Crux Alliance panel “The Hidden Hero of Climate Action: The Heat Pump Story” alongside global experts.
📅 Sept. 23, 3–4:30 p.m.
📍 Motto by Hilton Chelsea, NYC
Details + RSVP: bit.ly/466kZbq
September 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Happening today! Looking forward to this panel and the conversation to follow.
Looking forward to being there!
🌍 NYC Climate Week kicks off in less than a week, and RAP will be there!
📅 Sept. 23, 3–4:30 p.m.
🎤 "The Hidden Hero of Climate Action: The Heat Pump Story"
📅 Sept. 24, 3–5 p.m.
🎤 "Power For All: Making Clean Energy Affordable Everywhere"
Details + RSVP: www.raponline.org/event/climat...
📅 Sept. 23, 3–4:30 p.m.
🎤 "The Hidden Hero of Climate Action: The Heat Pump Story"
📅 Sept. 24, 3–5 p.m.
🎤 "Power For All: Making Clean Energy Affordable Everywhere"
Details + RSVP: www.raponline.org/event/climat...
September 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Looking forward to being there!
Reposted by Tim Simard
On Sept. 24 at Climate Week NYC, @katherinehdixon.bsky.social will join the Crux Alliance "Power For All" panel.
Explore how smart policies + investments can lower costs for people everywhere.
📅 Sept. 24, 3–5 p.m.
📍 Motto by Hilton Chelsea, NYC
🔗 Details + RSVP bit.ly/466kZbq
Explore how smart policies + investments can lower costs for people everywhere.
📅 Sept. 24, 3–5 p.m.
📍 Motto by Hilton Chelsea, NYC
🔗 Details + RSVP bit.ly/466kZbq
September 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
On Sept. 24 at Climate Week NYC, @katherinehdixon.bsky.social will join the Crux Alliance "Power For All" panel.
Explore how smart policies + investments can lower costs for people everywhere.
📅 Sept. 24, 3–5 p.m.
📍 Motto by Hilton Chelsea, NYC
🔗 Details + RSVP bit.ly/466kZbq
Explore how smart policies + investments can lower costs for people everywhere.
📅 Sept. 24, 3–5 p.m.
📍 Motto by Hilton Chelsea, NYC
🔗 Details + RSVP bit.ly/466kZbq
Reposted by Tim Simard
New on the RAP blog: "Searching for Meaning: Why It’s Important to Define IRP 'Approval.'"
After all the effort that goes into IRPs, what does it really mean when a commission “approves” one?
We explore 6 options for clarifying approval and avoiding costly disputes.
bit.ly/3ViXkzP
After all the effort that goes into IRPs, what does it really mean when a commission “approves” one?
We explore 6 options for clarifying approval and avoiding costly disputes.
bit.ly/3ViXkzP
Searching for Meaning: Why It’s Important to Define IRP “Approval”
It is important to clearly say in statute or regulation how much weight the commission’s approval of an IRP will bear upon its future decisions.
bit.ly
September 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
New on the RAP blog: "Searching for Meaning: Why It’s Important to Define IRP 'Approval.'"
After all the effort that goes into IRPs, what does it really mean when a commission “approves” one?
We explore 6 options for clarifying approval and avoiding costly disputes.
bit.ly/3ViXkzP
After all the effort that goes into IRPs, what does it really mean when a commission “approves” one?
We explore 6 options for clarifying approval and avoiding costly disputes.
bit.ly/3ViXkzP
Reposted by Tim Simard
🚨 NEW FROM RAP AT CEM16 MEETINGS 🚨
Energy regulators are hidden catalysts of the clean energy transition. Governments can change that.
By setting clear climate targets and giving regulators an explicit mandate for decarbonisation policymakers can accelerate progress.
Read how: bit.ly/47Gnaor
Energy regulators are hidden catalysts of the clean energy transition. Governments can change that.
By setting clear climate targets and giving regulators an explicit mandate for decarbonisation policymakers can accelerate progress.
Read how: bit.ly/47Gnaor
Pathways for empowering regulators to advance decarbonisation Pathways for empowering regulators to advance decarbonisation
Countries around the world have committed to decarbonisation targets, as they collectively strive to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Rising to this complex RAP explores how governments can empower regu...
bit.ly
August 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🚨 NEW FROM RAP AT CEM16 MEETINGS 🚨
Energy regulators are hidden catalysts of the clean energy transition. Governments can change that.
By setting clear climate targets and giving regulators an explicit mandate for decarbonisation policymakers can accelerate progress.
Read how: bit.ly/47Gnaor
Energy regulators are hidden catalysts of the clean energy transition. Governments can change that.
By setting clear climate targets and giving regulators an explicit mandate for decarbonisation policymakers can accelerate progress.
Read how: bit.ly/47Gnaor
This is such an interesting topic that's really going to affect grid needs into the foreseeable future. I'm looking forward to seeing where this conversation goes next.
Up next in our August Reading Series: A look at how AI and data centers are reshaping electricity demand, and what that means for regulators.
AI isn’t just powering daily tasks. It’s driving rapid load growth and could also become a powerful grid tool.
www.raponline.org/blog/were-op...
AI isn’t just powering daily tasks. It’s driving rapid load growth and could also become a powerful grid tool.
www.raponline.org/blog/were-op...
We’re Opening the AI "Bottle." So, What Should Regulators Wish For?
Policymakers and regulators are still trying to understand the nuances of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potentially large impacts on the electric grid. Setting the stage in the first of a serie...
www.raponline.org
August 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This is such an interesting topic that's really going to affect grid needs into the foreseeable future. I'm looking forward to seeing where this conversation goes next.
We're starting an August reading series for those that want to get in their beach reading before September. First up is @soxenaar.bsky.social's paper on district heating in Denmark.
☀️As summer rolls along, we’re revisiting some of our 2025 publications. We're covering a few pieces you may have missed, just in time to wrap up your summer reading.
First up: a look at Denmark’s approach to district heating.
bit.ly/3GSJ4dv
First up: a look at Denmark’s approach to district heating.
bit.ly/3GSJ4dv
Making Europe’s homes ‘Hygge’: Danish lessons on district heating
Denmark has steadily advanced district heating over decades. RAP explores the lessons policymakers can learn from the nation's experience.
bit.ly
August 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
We're starting an August reading series for those that want to get in their beach reading before September. First up is @soxenaar.bsky.social's paper on district heating in Denmark.
Reposted by Tim Simard
Smarter EV charging = smarter energy systems!
New EU rules let countries count renewable power used in EVs toward climate targets.
@jaapburger.eu lays out how smart charging + existing tech can cut costs, boost renewables and ease grid pressure.
bit.ly/3UeF8Xe
New EU rules let countries count renewable power used in EVs toward climate targets.
@jaapburger.eu lays out how smart charging + existing tech can cut costs, boost renewables and ease grid pressure.
bit.ly/3UeF8Xe
July 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Smarter EV charging = smarter energy systems!
New EU rules let countries count renewable power used in EVs toward climate targets.
@jaapburger.eu lays out how smart charging + existing tech can cut costs, boost renewables and ease grid pressure.
bit.ly/3UeF8Xe
New EU rules let countries count renewable power used in EVs toward climate targets.
@jaapburger.eu lays out how smart charging + existing tech can cut costs, boost renewables and ease grid pressure.
bit.ly/3UeF8Xe
Reposted by Tim Simard
🚛 Europe’s road freight sector is going electric and charging infrastructure needs to keep up.
A new infographic from @regassistproj.bsky.social breaks down the key barriers to electric truck charging and offers a policy playbook for grid-friendly solutions.
Check it out 👇
bit.ly/44BMWZ4
A new infographic from @regassistproj.bsky.social breaks down the key barriers to electric truck charging and offers a policy playbook for grid-friendly solutions.
Check it out 👇
bit.ly/44BMWZ4
Accelerating the shift: How to advance electric truck charging in Europe
Europe’s road freight sector is electrifying quickly, with strong projections for the uptake of electric heavy-duty vehicles (e-HDVs) in the coming years.
bit.ly
June 30, 2025 at 1:03 PM
🚛 Europe’s road freight sector is going electric and charging infrastructure needs to keep up.
A new infographic from @regassistproj.bsky.social breaks down the key barriers to electric truck charging and offers a policy playbook for grid-friendly solutions.
Check it out 👇
bit.ly/44BMWZ4
A new infographic from @regassistproj.bsky.social breaks down the key barriers to electric truck charging and offers a policy playbook for grid-friendly solutions.
Check it out 👇
bit.ly/44BMWZ4
RIP to Brian Wilson, one of the greatest composers in history. What a cool, strange, scary, awesome and deeply weird life he led. We'll have that music forever.
Breaking news: Brian Wilson, the founder of the Beach Boys, whose catalogue of hits includes “I Get Around,” “Don’t Worry Baby” and “California Girls," has died at 82.
Brian Wilson, singer-songwriter who created the Beach Boys, dies at 82
His early hits — “Surfer Girl,” “I Get Around,” “All Summer Long,” “Help Me, Rhonda” and “California Girls” — evoked a fantasy world of fast cars, beautiful youth, eternal surf and sunshine on an imm...
wapo.st
June 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
RIP to Brian Wilson, one of the greatest composers in history. What a cool, strange, scary, awesome and deeply weird life he led. We'll have that music forever.
Reposted by Tim Simard
🚨 NEW RESEARCH: The energy transition is more disruptive—and could move much faster—than most people think.
It’s not just about swapping old tech for new.
Shift to clean energy is a complex web of feedback loops, tipping points & surprises.
Our new 📖 👇
www.scurveeconomics.org/publications...
🧵
It’s not just about swapping old tech for new.
Shift to clean energy is a complex web of feedback loops, tipping points & surprises.
Our new 📖 👇
www.scurveeconomics.org/publications...
🧵
June 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
🚨 NEW RESEARCH: The energy transition is more disruptive—and could move much faster—than most people think.
It’s not just about swapping old tech for new.
Shift to clean energy is a complex web of feedback loops, tipping points & surprises.
Our new 📖 👇
www.scurveeconomics.org/publications...
🧵
It’s not just about swapping old tech for new.
Shift to clean energy is a complex web of feedback loops, tipping points & surprises.
Our new 📖 👇
www.scurveeconomics.org/publications...
🧵
This is a good🧵 about the global work with completed with @theicct.org on smart charging. The global guide is a fitting wrap-up to this lengthy project. Well done everyone!
Smart EV charging isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s also a cost-saving, emissions-cutting tool that benefits drivers, grids and the planet.
Read our latest report on the subject, "How to unlock benefits from smart EV charging: Key lessons from a global study."
www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...
Read our latest report on the subject, "How to unlock benefits from smart EV charging: Key lessons from a global study."
www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...
How to unlock benefits from smart EV charging: Key lessons from a global study
This global guide from RAP summarizes key insights from four case studies to estimate the benefits of smart EV charging.
www.raponline.org
June 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This is a good🧵 about the global work with completed with @theicct.org on smart charging. The global guide is a fitting wrap-up to this lengthy project. Well done everyone!
For some of us who have been at @regassistproj.bsky.social for a while, this paper is a great review of our clean heating work in Europe. I remember working with @janrosenow.bsky.social and @richardlowes.bsky.social on “Heating without the hot air” way back in late 2019/early 2020. Memories!
The @regassistproj.bsky.social Europe programme has been tackling the issue of how to drive clean heating for well over half a decade. This primer, published today, describes our work on heating and provides links to all of our public research (1/2).
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
RAP expertise on clean heating in Europe | Richard Lowes
The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)'s Europe programme has been tackling the issue of how to drive clean heating for well over half a decade. This primer, published today, describes our work ...
www.linkedin.com
May 29, 2025 at 3:28 PM
For some of us who have been at @regassistproj.bsky.social for a while, this paper is a great review of our clean heating work in Europe. I remember working with @janrosenow.bsky.social and @richardlowes.bsky.social on “Heating without the hot air” way back in late 2019/early 2020. Memories!
Reposted by Tim Simard
A new paper by @regassistproj.bsky.social and Technische Hochschule Ingostadt looks at longterm marginal costs and how, together with price signals from the wholesale electricity market, they can benefit the overall system. (Paper in German.)
bit.ly/43kkkTS
@andreasjahn.bsky.social
bit.ly/43kkkTS
@andreasjahn.bsky.social
Netzentgelte: Langfristige Grenzkosten als Grundlage der Bepreisung Netzentgelte: Langfristige Grenzkosten als Grundlage der Bepreisung
Fluktuierende und dezentrale Energieerzeugung wie auch lokale und flexibler Stromverbrauch verursachen zunehmende Engpässe im deutschen Stromnetz. Diese Die Autoren erklären, wie man die Bewirtschaftu...
bit.ly
May 27, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A new paper by @regassistproj.bsky.social and Technische Hochschule Ingostadt looks at longterm marginal costs and how, together with price signals from the wholesale electricity market, they can benefit the overall system. (Paper in German.)
bit.ly/43kkkTS
@andreasjahn.bsky.social
bit.ly/43kkkTS
@andreasjahn.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to listening in on April 15!
For those of us living stateside, this is at 10 a.m. EST.
And 7 a.m. PST (sorry @sspengem.bsky.social!)
For those of us living stateside, this is at 10 a.m. EST.
And 7 a.m. PST (sorry @sspengem.bsky.social!)
🔥 Heat pumps are the key to clean, resilient heating — but how can policymakers scale up deployment?
Join @regassistproj.bsky.social and @agoraew.bsky.social on 15 April for our free webinar: "Heat pumps as pillars of a resilient energy future."
📅 15 April
⏰ 16:00–17:30 CET
📍 Zoom
bit.ly/4cdO1IR
Join @regassistproj.bsky.social and @agoraew.bsky.social on 15 April for our free webinar: "Heat pumps as pillars of a resilient energy future."
📅 15 April
⏰ 16:00–17:30 CET
📍 Zoom
bit.ly/4cdO1IR
Heat pumps as pillars of a resilient energy future
International experts will offer technical guidance to policymakers on how to scale up heat pump markets to deliver the greatest climate and consumer benefits.
bit.ly
April 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I'm looking forward to listening in on April 15!
For those of us living stateside, this is at 10 a.m. EST.
And 7 a.m. PST (sorry @sspengem.bsky.social!)
For those of us living stateside, this is at 10 a.m. EST.
And 7 a.m. PST (sorry @sspengem.bsky.social!)
I see the guy in the suit and red tie in town all the time. He lives up the road and runs a farm. What a film! 🤣
March 20, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I see the guy in the suit and red tie in town all the time. He lives up the road and runs a farm. What a film! 🤣
This is a great piece by @billmckibben.bsky.social. We’ll be making a day trip in a few weeks to go curling (I know, right?), but maybe we’ll pop over this weekend to see what’s new in Montreal. 🇨🇦
March 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This is a great piece by @billmckibben.bsky.social. We’ll be making a day trip in a few weeks to go curling (I know, right?), but maybe we’ll pop over this weekend to see what’s new in Montreal. 🇨🇦
Reposted by Tim Simard
A new study out today from @regassistproj.bsky.social & @theicct.org, with help from Artelys, explores how smart charging in France’s Essonne region could save money by aligning EV charging with grid capacity & renewables, creating benefits for consumers, the grid & the environment. bit.ly/4kNlmhE
Savings from smart charging electric cars and trucks in Europe: A case study for France in 2040
RAP & ICCT quantify the savings to be achieved from smart EV charging. The French case study examines a mixed fleet utilising urban and rural infrastructure.
bit.ly
March 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A new study out today from @regassistproj.bsky.social & @theicct.org, with help from Artelys, explores how smart charging in France’s Essonne region could save money by aligning EV charging with grid capacity & renewables, creating benefits for consumers, the grid & the environment. bit.ly/4kNlmhE
Happy to have had a hand in editing this. It’s a really interesting article on AI and load growth. Can’t wait to read the next part.
AI is reshaping electricity demand — but are policymakers and regulators ready?
In the first of a new blog series, we explore how AI and data center growth are driving load increases. And we pose the key questions regulators should be asking.
bit.ly/3DyomxE
In the first of a new blog series, we explore how AI and data center growth are driving load increases. And we pose the key questions regulators should be asking.
bit.ly/3DyomxE
We’re Opening the AI "Bottle." So, What Should Regulators Wish For?
Policymakers and regulators are still trying to understand the nuances of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potentially large impacts on the electric grid. Setting the stage in the first of a serie...
bit.ly
March 11, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Happy to have had a hand in editing this. It’s a really interesting article on AI and load growth. Can’t wait to read the next part.
Reposted by Tim Simard
RAP is co-hosting this webinar with @theicct.org later this month. Our own Julia Hildermeier will be one of the speakers.
Register today! ⬇️
Register today! ⬇️
WEBINAR: How Can Electric Vehicles Save Money for Power Grids? ⚡🔌🚗
The ICCT and @regassistproj.bsky.social are hosting a 1-hour exploration of a recent report on the benefits of smart EV charging for power grids in Europe.
🗓 18 March
🕐 8:00 AM EST
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The ICCT and @regassistproj.bsky.social are hosting a 1-hour exploration of a recent report on the benefits of smart EV charging for power grids in Europe.
🗓 18 March
🕐 8:00 AM EST
Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
March 7, 2025 at 2:32 PM
RAP is co-hosting this webinar with @theicct.org later this month. Our own Julia Hildermeier will be one of the speakers.
Register today! ⬇️
Register today! ⬇️
Reposted by Tim Simard
If you’re attending the #NARUC Winter Policy Summit, please visit our table. We have many of our publications on hand, and cupcakes! Damali Harding, David Farnsworth, Shawn Enterline, Raphael Breit, and Timothy Simard are in attendance and we’d love to connect.
February 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
If you’re attending the #NARUC Winter Policy Summit, please visit our table. We have many of our publications on hand, and cupcakes! Damali Harding, David Farnsworth, Shawn Enterline, Raphael Breit, and Timothy Simard are in attendance and we’d love to connect.
I stay pretty quiet about things, but no more. I’ve finally reached a limit. There is A LOT happening right now, but I need to comment on Canada and this 51st state garbage. Is this clown (not typing his name) really going to cripple a next door neighbor over his expansionist fantasies? Ludicrous.
February 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I stay pretty quiet about things, but no more. I’ve finally reached a limit. There is A LOT happening right now, but I need to comment on Canada and this 51st state garbage. Is this clown (not typing his name) really going to cripple a next door neighbor over his expansionist fantasies? Ludicrous.