This three-day summit on electric vehicle grid integration allowed for governors’ policy staff to hear from experts and one another on the latest solutions, engage in peer-to-peer sharing, and discuss regional challenges and strategies in breakouts.
Virtual Event: 16-18 September 2020
Introduction
The National Governors Association (NGA) hosted a virtual summit to explore state policy and regulatory strategies to integrate higher volumes of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure into the power grid. Many governors have implemented policies to electrify transportation including financial incentives and electric vehicle targets. Meanwhile, options for consumers are increasing while costs continue to decline. Careful planning and policy design can improve how EVs are integrated into the grid while effectively managing energy loads and maintaining grid performance, including reliability, affordability, and resilience. This three-day summit allowed for governors’ policy staff to hear from experts and one another on the latest solutions, engage in peer-to-peer sharing, and discuss regional challenges and strategies in breakouts.
Presentations
- Keynote: EV Grid Integration – Identifying Market Trends and Stakeholders – ICF
- Grid Responsive Charging Networks – Smart Electric Power Alliance
- Vehicles as Grid Assets – University of Delaware
- Building Charging Networks – Nevada
- Building Charging Networks – MJ Bradley
- Technology Showcase: Electric Vehicle Innovation at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Partnering with Utilities to Integrate EVs – Utah
- Keynote: Global Trends and eMobility Innovation – Siemens
Agenda
Day 1 – September 16
Welcome and Introductions (12:00-12:45 PM)
Keynote: EV Grid Integration – Identifying Market Trends and Stakeholders (12:45-1:15 PM)
States are in initial stages for transitioning to a system where electric vehicles are integrated with the grid. Why is it important to start the planning process when vehicle impacts remain low? In this session, a national expert will highlight state policies to prepare for EVs, how they are engaging utilities, and the potential interactions between electrification and grid performance.
- Stacy Noblet, Senior Transportation Director, ICF International
Virtual Regional Breakout Discussions (1:15-2:30 PM)
Attendees will participate in regional breakout discussions to explore transportation challenges and effective state policies. Following these breakouts, each group will report out on their learnings and innovative solutions.
Day 2 – September 17
Grid Responsive Charging Networks (12:00-12:45 PM)
Electric vehicle charging may alter energy demand as technology adoption increase. Currently, EVs represent around two percent of the national vehicle fleet and have limited impact on energy systems. New state goals and increased EV adoption may lead to exacerbated energy peaks in some areas. Careful integration and deliberate regulatory strategies may be needed to avoid this. To avoid excess strain on the electric grid (and reduce consumer demand costs), utilities are turning to strategies such as time-of-use (TOU) ratemaking and smart charging.
- Erika Myers, Principal, Transportation Electrification, Smart Electric Power Alliance
Chairman Jason Stanek, Maryland Public Service Commission - Moderator: Matt Rogotzke, Policy Analyst, National Governors Association
Vehicles as Grid Assets (12:45–1:30 PM)
As transportation continues to electrify and charging networks become more responsive to grid needs, states, utilities, and the private sector are exploring how charging networks and vehicle batteries can provide services back to the grid. Known as vehicle-to-grid technologies (V2G), such networks offer promising benefits for transportation electrification such as improved resilience. However, technological and policy challenges remain. Speakers in this session will discuss the latest advancements with the technology, address persisting challenges, and explore policy solutions to advance V2G.
- Sara Parkison, Senior Policy Analyst, University of Delaware
Commissioner Cliff Rechtschaffen, California Public Utilities Commission - Moderator: Dan Lauf, Program Director, National Governors Association
Building Charging Networks (1:45-2:30 PM)
Adequate and strategically placed charging infrastructure can reduce range anxiety and ensure equitable availability, without adding additional strain to the grid. Additionally, chargers must be placed in convenient public areas such as grocery stores, workplaces, or parking garages, and in areas where the grid can accommodate electric vehicle load. Deciding where to locate chargers must incorporate these concerns, as well as identifying locations with EV-ready electrical infrastructure.
Grace Van Horn, Energy and Environmental Policy Consultant, M.J. Bradley & Associates (Presentation)
David Bobzien, Director, Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy (Presentation)
Moderator: Jessica Rackley, Program Director, National Governors Association
Technology Showcase: Electric Vehicle Innovation at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2:30-3:00 PM)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducts cutting edge research into vehicle electrification, including solutions for grid integration. A researcher will showcase the latest charging technologies to accommodate the growing electric vehicle load on the grid.
- Andrew Meintz, Senior Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Day 3 – September 3
Regulatory Considerations to Incorporate Electrified Transportation (12:00-12:45 PM)
States must weigh many public policy and regulatory interests as new EV challenges arise. Presenters in this session will explore open questions such as whether public charging stations should be regulated as a utility, whether regulated utilities should own charging stations, rate design, and utility incentives to align investments with state policy goals. These cases weigh affordability, consumer choice, and reliability goals and each state may take unique approaches to address those various concerns.
David Farnsworth, Principal, Regulatory Assistance Project
David Springe, Executive Director, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
Moderator: Dan Lauf, Program Director, National Governors Association
Partnering with Utilities to Integrate EVs (12:45–1:30 PM)
Utilities are at the forefront of energy system planning and electric vehicle integration. Working with states, utilities are implementing innovative technology pilots, testing new rate designs, providing incentives for customers to install vehicle chargers, and developing robust energy plans to maintain performance through this transition. Speakers in this session will highlight innovative transportation electrification pilots and programs and how states and utilities are working to deploy those effectively.
Dan Weekley, Vice President, Energy Innovation Policy & Implementation, Dominion Energy
Annie Schneider, Senior Transportation Program Specialist, Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development (Presentation)
Keynote: Global Trends and eMobility Innovation (1:30-2:00 PM)
Electric vehicles offer significant grid benefits, particularly when looking beyond the light-duty market. The private sector is developing new products to support eMobility and provide smart load management. A presenter from Siemens will highlight global market trends related to vehicle electrification with an emphasis on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the importance of interoperability standards, and how EVs may spur grid modernization.
- John DeBoer, eMobility and Future Grid Business Unit, Siemens
Regional Breakouts (2:00-2:45 PM)
Participants will use the closing breakouts to share reflections on the past few days’ sessions. Participants will be asked to share lessons learned, remaining challenges, and new ideas they are considering given the summit’s discussions.
State Final Report Out (2:45–3:00 PM)
