A Brief Look Into Future Energy Markets — A more dynamical distribution networks ~ The ability of end-users to bi-directionally transact energy and money with the utility company has introduced tremendous changes to the electricity distribution network, bringing considerable opportunities to the grid, including customer bill savings and back up services, energy mix diversification and decarbonization, and reliability…

California’s proposed decision (PD) of replacing the current NEM 2.0 policy to its successor NEM 3.0, has attracted enormous public attention. The proposed tariff changes are primarily driven by the issue of cost-shifts from solar adopters to non-adopters, which is compounded by the unparalleled huge price mark-up between the retail…

AI-enabled homes promise enabling price responsive consumers. But, are consumers really ready/willing to face the stochastic spot prices? Utility companies are natural monopolies. This is simply due to the high capital and fixed costs to build and maintain a distribution network. Let alone the physical and economical impracticality of wiring…

Everything about electricity rate design is on the brink of a complete remodeling The Problem The mounting levels of behind the meter rooftop solar generation are swiftly tousling the current utility revenue model. Prosumers (customers with rooftop solar are usually referred to as prosumers: producers+consumers) under net energy metering (you sell your…

Questioning The Regressiveness of Net Metering — Net metered restaurant customers ~ A monopolist delivery-only restaurant sells meal x with price 𝜋 per meal, which includes delivery charges. Occasionally, some customers cook their own x, and they cook even more x+, sometimes. If the restaurant agrees to buy the extra x, how much it should be? Who…