The Electric Power Supply Association’s 2022 Competitive Power Summit is just around the corner, and ahead of that event, we wanted to share a brief preview of what can be expected. Held on Tuesday, March 29 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the Summit is slated to be a day of expert conversations on the role of competitive electricity markets and power suppliers in advancing America’s energy future.
For more than two decades, competitive electricity markets and independent power generators have unlocked savings for consumers, enhanced reliability, improved our environment, and unleashed energy innovation. But key questions must be addressed to ensure that these benefits continue to advance the energy transition. EPSA’s event will unpack these issues and more through a series of panel discussions and remarks.
Pat Wood III, CEO of Hunt Energy Network and former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chair, will serve as keynote speaker, and will focus his remarks on “The Past, Present, and Future of Competition.” As former chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission, Pat helped found Texas’ competitive power market and introduce competition for electric generation across the United States. He recently connected with EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler to record an episode of EPSA’s Energy Solutions podcast.
Panel discussions will address a variety of important and timely topics:
Addressing Reliability in a Changing Grid: The tragic and extensive power outages in Texas last winter, along with summer resource challenges in California and other U.S. states, highlight the importance of a demonstrable commitment to power system reliability. Are competitive markets up to the challenge? What practical considerations must be taken, and what is needed to ensure that America’s energy transition is reliable and sustainable?
Innovation in Competitive Markets: Competitive power markets ushered in a rapid transition to natural gas generation and renewable deployment. From the world’s largest battery storage projects to EV charging, what are some of the innovative projects recently developed or in development in competitive markets? How does competition incentivize and facilitate the innovative technologies needed to meet the future? What barriers remain?
Advancing Decarbonization: With policymakers from the states to Capitol Hill and the White House implementing ambitious decarbonization goals, how can market-based strategies deliver substantial and cost-effective emissions reductions? What will support a just and reliable transition?
Continued Consumer and Economic Benefits in a Just Transition: Competitive power markets have helped deliver historically low power prices. How do power generation costs impact consumers and other economic sectors – and what is needed to unlock greater economic benefits as the grid transitions? Can markets continue to mitigate cost impacts to consumers while efforts are underway to meet ambitious clean energy and decarbonization goals? How can competitive power developers manage ESG demands and respond to investor pressures while maintaining downward pressure on prices and high reliability?
Market Design for the Future: Competitive power markets have delivered significant benefits since introduced more than 20 years ago. But what is needed to meet emerging challenges and new priorities? It starts with getting market design right. Panelists discuss ongoing conversations in markets throughout the U.S. and what must be considered as markets evolve.
Visit the PowerFacts Blog following the event for a full recap, and don’t miss our updates on EPSA’s social media channels – Twitter and LinkedIn.
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EPSA’s Competitive Power Summit: March 29, 2022
