Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

Potential Pathways: The Future of the Electricity Sector in the Southeast

Date and Time
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 - 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location
21C Museum Hotel, 111 North Corcoran Street, Durham, NC 27701

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The electricity sector is in a period of rapid change. The shale gas revolution and a suite of new environmental regulations have contributed to a dramatic decline in the percent of electricity generation from coal since 2009 and shifted the region to increased gas generation. At the same time, steep declines in the cost of distributed solar generation, the proliferation of smart meters, thermostats and appliances, and dynamic retail pricing are revolutionizing the way consumers interact with the grid. 

Adding to this dynamic is the potential to shift a major portion of transportation to electric vehicles and advanced energy storage that would likely cause major changes in how the grid operates. Meanwhile, future climate policy remains uncertain given the Supreme Court's decision to stay the EPA's Clean Power Plan and U.S. participation in recent international commitments to limit greenhouse gas emissions and increase clean energy production.

These and other forces are combining to create significant uncertainty about the future of the Southeast electricity sector. This invitation-only workshop on October 5 will bring together experts on the electricity sector in the Southeast—including electric utilities, other market participants, NGOs, and energy and environmental regulators—to discuss key factors affecting the future of the region's electricity sector. Discussion topics will include the uncertainty surrounding future demand, how technology innovation could affect business models and regulatory structures, and the role of nuclear energy in the Southeast's electricity future.  

This invitation-only event is sponsored by the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and the Duke University Energy Initiative.