The State and Future of Power 2023 Question Title 1. What is the most disruptive threat to business-as-usual in the communities in which utilities operate? Climate change and destructive climate-related disasters. Aging infrastructure and decline in overall quality of life / community livability. Inequity and fracturing social fabric. Question Title 2. What role should utilities play in the territories in which they operate to mitigate disruptive threats? Lead by example. Mobilize the public sector and regulators to innovate out in front of looming threats. Be flexible and adapt cautiously. Align goals and initiatives to blunt likely shocks to the system. But don’t rock the boat. Resist change. Looming threats are overblown. And regardless, the energy system is strong as it is. Question Title 3. Which energy transition outcome should future utility investments prioritize across service territories? Integrating clean and distributed energy. Facilitating the development of livable and sustainable communities. Supporting equitable growth within the communities they serve. Question Title 4. Which stakeholder group should utilities prioritize partnering with to successfully navigate the energy transition? Large commercial and industrial customers. State and local government, including regulators. Solution and emerging technology providers. Question Title 5. What is the primary barrier to utilities more aggressively investing in the energy transition? Rigidity of utility regulation, funding cycles, and rate structures. Immaturity of new business models and time to scale new solutions. Accessing federal and state funding programs. Question Title 6. How can utilities best direct investments to improve the quality of life within the communities in which they operate? Support the development of emergency / backup power solutions for critical infrastructure. Electrify building and transportation infrastructure. Digitalize assets and infrastructure to increase system flexibility. Question Title 7. How would you describe utility sentiment towards the Inflation Reduction Act and Build Back Better? Let’s go! The more federal funding, the better. Keeping an eye out for opportunities. But not entirely sure where the opportunities are. Pump the breaks! There is too much change and disruption as it is. This is just good money chasing bad. Question Title 8. Twenty years from now, how will the Inflation Reduction Act be remembered? Select three. Dramatically accelerated transmission and distribution upgrades and improved power system resilience. Jumpstarted clean hydrogen manufacturing and advanced recycling research, development and demonstration. Led to a wholescale expansion of cybersecurity and digitalization integration across the energy system. Mainstreamed transportation electrification and charging infrastructure. Established clean power and renewables as the largest share of generation capacity in the U.S. Commercialized carbon capture, direct air capture and industrial emission reduction. Catalyzed large-scale deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. Significantly accelerated progress towards net zero through energy efficiency and weatherization. Done
