Power Trends: New York ISO Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 4: Demystifying the Interconnection of Renewables to the Grid Nov 13, 2019

Show notes

The level of decarbonization required by statutes to combat climate change in New York State, "will result in a grid and power system that are unrecognizable from the one we run today."
So says Zach Smith, Vice President of System and Resource Planning at the NYISO. In Episode 4 of the Power Trends Podcast, Smith takes us through the process required to vet new power generation projects in a given ‘class year.’
“It’s not as simple as addressing each project on its own,” explains Smith. “If you have an area where there are multiple wind farms, solar facilities and batteries all being located in the same vicinity, they’re going to have a compounding effect.” The class year allows these development projects to be understood collectively and, as dictated by the FERC tariff under which we operate, how to conduct the process such that it finds the ‘least cost’ configuration of upgrades to maintain system reliability.
With the 2019 class year of over 100 projects, a three-fold increase over the prior class year, most of them for wind, solar, and battery projects, Smith walks us through:

The technical and reliability issues involved in reviewing power generation projects
Ways the NYISO is looking to improve and optimize the review process
The eventual impacts the public policy and the new technologies will have on supply and demand for energy

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Episode 3: Energy Economist Dr. Sue Tierney on Benefits of Carbon Pricing Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Susan Tierney, renowned energy expert with the Analysis Group and former head of policy at the U.S. Department of Energy, recently completed a study of our proposal to add a “social cost” of carbon dioxide emissions to New York’s wholesale energy markets. In this interview with Kevin Lanahan, Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications at the NYISO, Tierney explains how carbon pricing would make cleaner energy more profitable, and carbon-emitting energy more expensive by incorporating the cost of carbon emissions. It would also help New York achieve its clean energy goals faster and more cost-effectively. Tierney later concludes that since New York is the world’s 11th-largest economy, “people will be watching. Not only from the other states and the other markets but around the world for an example of a workable solution.”

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Episode 2: Clean Energy, Climate Change, and Creating a Culture of Evolution Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

There’s a new evolution coming to the energy grid, according to Emilie Nelson, NYISO Executive Vice President, and that makes it a great time to be working in the industry. Nelson described the important role of the NYISO’s grid operators and its wholesale energy markets in addressing the recent passing of the state’s landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which seeks to grow the amount of clean energy on the energy grid, “The job is getting more complex,” she said. “Our organization is well positioned well to really step up to the task.”

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Episode 1: Climate Leadership & New York Policy Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

The New York ISO's first ever Power Trends Podcast, with newly appointed President & CEO Rich Dewey, discusses New York energy policy, carbon pricing and who has the best job in the country.
During his conversation, Dewey discussed the state’s interest in promoting aggressive clean energy goals. The NYISO is currently discussing adding a “social cost” of carbon into the wholesale price of energy. By instituting this carbon price into our markets, we will be sending a signal to existing generators and developers of new generation that would reward cleaner generation and help to meet public policy goals.

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