Customer-Side Energy Management: What Role Should Utilities Play?

Tim Brennan
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Tim Brennan: Resources for the Future

No 21-03, RFF Working Paper Series from Resources for the Future

Abstract: Decarbonization of the electricity grid implies more variable and intermittent solar and wind generation. Intermittency response is the strongest motivation for customer-side energy management (CSEM)—that is, technology that allows a third party to monitor electricity availability and adjusts use to balance supply and demand. The question is the role of utilities in providing CSEM. Antitrust and regulatory policy have reflected a principle that regulated businesses’ participation in unregulated markets creates opportunities to exploit market power. Tactics include excessive transfer pricing of unregulated inputs, cross-subsidization of unregulated services, and discrimination against unaffiliated rivals in obtaining the regulated service. Risks of utilities’ involvement in CSEM can probably be mitigated through vigilance and safeguards. Moreover, a utility may be well placed to undertake CSEM because of its supply and consumer use. In addition, adverse selection may inhibit a direct-to consumer CSEM market from developing. A likely outcome is that the utility procures CSEM technology from a competitive market and provides CSEM directly.To read the working paper, click "Download" above.

Date: 2021-01-13
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene and nep-env
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