December 12, 2019 | Santa Fe, NM
The New Mexico Grid Modernization Retreat explored strategies to implement New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act, which requires 100 percent zero-carbon electricity for utilities by 2045 and rural electric cooperatives by 2050. The retreat examined how to reach the targets in the Act with a modernized grid in the most affordable, reliable, and equitable way. We explored topics including how to finance electricity system upgrades and new technology deployment, western electricity markets, energy equity and affordability for underserved communities, battery storage and electric vehicle grid impacts.
This exciting opportunity from the NGA reinforces that New Mexico is leading the nation in forward-thinking energy policy and modernization. This initiative will support recent steps forward that we have taken in New Mexico, including a landmark renewable energy law and new electric vehicle framework legislation.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Resources
- Agenda
- The Western Flexibility Assessment and Implications for New Mexico
—Keegan Moyer, Principal, Energy Strategies - Framing the Vision for 2030, 2040 and 2050
—Dr. Dan Arvizu, Chancellor, New Mexico State University - Building a Clean Energy Future
—Rodney Sgrignoli, Manager – Grid Storage and Innovation, Xcel Energy - The Need for a Western Grid and New Mexico Leadership
—Johnny Casana, Senior Manager, U.S. Political and Regulatory Affairs, Pattern Energy Group - BLOCK: Distributed Power System
—Gary Oppedahl, Vice President, Emerging Technologies, Emera Technologies LLC - New Mexico Grid Modernization
—John Hensley, Vice President, Research & Analytics, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Sessions
- Overview, Meeting Goals, and Introductions
The New Mexico team provided context for the retreat by sharing how they are currently planning for meeting the targets established in the Energy Transition Act (ETA) and what they hope to achieve out of today’s meeting. This session included small group discussions and brainstorming activities.- Sarah Cottrell Propst, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
- Anna Linden Weller, Policy Advisor, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and
- Laura Tabor, Sustainability and Resilience Officer, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
Planning for the Future Keynote
An energy expert provided a keynote, including addressing many of the themes that were covered throughout the day such as renewable energy integration, energy affordability, electricity infrastructure upgrades, and expectations for energy sector changes.- Keegan Moyer, Principal, Energy Strategies
Framing the Vision for 2030, 2040 and 2050
This panel explored what the New Mexico grid looks like in 2030, 2040, and 2050 and what technology and infrastructure upgrades need to be made. Topics discussed during this panel included infrastructure buildout and resilience, and electric transmission and distribution needs.- Jessica Rackley, National Governors Association
- Dr. Dan Arvizu, Chancellor, New Mexico State University
- Rodney Sgrignoli, Manager – Grid Storage and Innovation, Xcel Energy
- Charles Hanley, Senior Manager Grid Modernization & Resilient Infrastructures, Sandia National Laboratory
Western Grid Integration
This panel explored the possibility of western grid integration and the opportunities and process of transitioning to a regional grid.- Dr. Alyse Taylor-Anyikire, Senior Policy Analyst, National Governors Association
- Dr. Doug Howe, Director, Western Grid Group
- Johnny Casana, Senior Manager, U.S. Political and Regulatory Affairs, Pattern Energy Group
Energy Storage and Electric Vehicle Impacts on the Grid
In this session, panelists shared strategies to increase the deployment of energy storage applications and included a discussion of vehicle-to-grid integration and expected impacts to the grid posed by electrified transportation.- Daren Zigich, Engineering Technology Program Manager, EMNRD
- Dr. Babu Chalamala, Sandia National Laboratories, Program Manager, Energy Storage Technologies and Systems
- Ken Wilson, Engineering Fellow, Western Resource Advocates
- Gary Oppedahl, Vice President, Emerging Technologies, Emera Technologies LLC
Financing the Modern Grid
Panelists discussed financing options for distributed generation, utility scale generation, and transmission and distribution projects. Finance mechanisms discussed may include public-private partnerships (P3s), on-bill financing, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE), industrial revenue bonds, green bank, and others.- Louise Martinez, Director of the Energy Conservation and Management Division, EMNRD
- Fernando Martinez, Executive Director, New Mexico, Renewable Energy Transition Authority (RETA)
- John Hensley, Vice President, Research & Analytics, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Energy Equity Impacts & Ensuring Community Benefits from ETA Compliance
This panel explored energy equity concerns associated with meeting the ETA’s targets such as ratepayer impacts. It also considered ways to guarantee that all communities benefit from this transition to clean energy such as clean energy workforce training programs and other ideas.- Dr. Alyse Taylor-Anyikire, Senior Policy Analyst, National Governors Association
- Noah Long, Director, Interior West and Northwest, Climate & Clean Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
- Lisa Hu, Energy Equity Director, the Greenlining Institute
Establishing a Vision for 2030, 2040 and 2050 — Opportunities for Stakeholder Feedback
In this final session, stakeholders shared their thoughts on the most promising avenues for state action based on the day’s discussion through a mix of interactive brainstorming activities, some small group discussions, and a final large group discussion.- Anna Linden Weller, Policy Advisor, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and
- Laura Tabor, Sustainability and Resilience Officer, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
About This Meeting
The U.S. electric power system is evolving. Renewable energy generation has more than doubled since 2000 and smart meters are now in use by more than half of U.S. energy customers. Electric vehicle adoption is growing, as is the transition to home heating electrification. Meanwhile grid resilience is being challenged by aging infrastructure, more frequent and intense weather events and increasing physical and cyber threats.
In the face of these changes, governors are looking for solutions to update their state’s infrastructure. After a competitive application process, NGA worked with governor-designated teams from four selected states to advance one or more grid modernization objectives proposed by their governors.
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Maryland is preparing for increased electrification, primarily electric vehicles (EVs), and is looking for ideas to incentivize EVs, while managing impacts on the electric grid. Participants discussed ways to achieve Maryland’s aggressive EV procurement targets, while mitigating grid impacts.New Jersey Retreat on Advancing Vehicle-To-Grid Technologies
An exploration of strategies to implement vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and policies in New Jersey, such as allowing vehicles to provide services to the electric grid like demand response, backup battery power, or frequency regulation.New Mexico Grid Modernization Retreat
The New Mexico Grid Modernization Retreat explored strategies to implement New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act, which requires 100 percent zero-carbon electricity for utilities by 2045 and rural electric cooperatives by 2050. The retreat examined how to reach the targets in the Act with a modernized grid in the most affordable, reliable, and equitable way.Facilitating Heating Sector Transformation In Rhode Island
Rhode Island is pursuing rapid heat sector decarbonization and is interested in exploring ways to facilitate a successful transformation without exacerbating energy burdens. This retreat convened state participants to understand technology pathways, think innovatively about a fuel-neutral utility business model, and proactively approach workforce development to meet the needs of a decarbonized heat sector.
