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The 21st Century Power Partnership (21CPP) works toward accelerating the global transformation of power systems through workshops, publications, and other educational efforts. Read 21CPP-related news below.

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NREL Hosts Technical Exchange to Boost Brazil's Power Sector Transformation

January 2020
The 21CPP hosted analysts from Brazil's Energy Research Office for a week-long technical exchange at NREL's campus during the month of December. The exchange was designed to provide hands-on experience in energy planning, demand-side modeling, and computational tools to support power system transformation in Brazil.

Read the article on NREL.gov

Expedite Energy Transformation by Adopting Proven Practices

February 2019
This article, recently published in T&D World magazine, focuses on five ways that decision-makers can promote effective power system planning and operations. It builds upon previous thought-leadership work conducted by 21CPP and partners.

Workshop Builds Stronger Bridges Between Power Sector Modeling Community and Decision Makers

This one-day workshop highlighted the importance of modeling for informing today’s power system decision making and stressed the importance of “modeling for insights, not for numbers”.

Read the workshop summary and view the workshop presentations

New Webinar: Power Market Developments and Approaches to Renewable Energy Integration in China, India and the United States

December 2017

On December 18, 21CPP hosted a webinar with the Children's Investment Fund Foundation on power transformation activities in China, India, and the United States. The event was held in conjunction with a study tour China's State Grid Energy Research Institute (SGERI) presented to North American power system operators and research institutes for 10 days in mid-December. The individual presentations below are available on the Webinars page, along with a recording of the entire 90-minute webinar.

Introduction to the 21st Century Power Partnership: Jeffrey Logan, NREL
China's Approaches to Renewable Energy Integration and Power Market Reform Efforts, Dr. CHAI Gaofeng, SGERI
Trends in U.S. Electric Power Markets and Renewable Integration, Dr. Erik Ela
RE Grid Integration Study with India, David Palchak, NREL

New Report: Next-Generation Performance Based Regulation: Emphasizing Utility Performance to Unleash Power Sector Innovation

September 2017

Performance-based regulation (PBR) has established a pathway for reforming 100-year-old regulatory structures to unleash innovations within 21st century power systems. The old regulatory paradigm, built to ensure safe and reliable electricity at reasonable prices from capital-intensive electricity monopolies, is adjusting to disruptive technological advances that are transforming the way electricity is generated, delivered, and consumed. PBR enables regulators to recognize the value electric utilities bring to customers by enabling advanced energy technologies and integrating smart solutions into the utility grid and utility operations. These changes in the electric energy system and customer capacities have catalyzed increased interest in motivating regulated entities to move beyond traditional cost-of-service performance regulation. Next-Generation Performance Based Regulation: Emphasizing Utility Performance to Unleash Power Sector Innovation addresses best practices and lessons gleaned from more than two decades of PBR in practice, and analyzes how those can be applied to design innovative PBR programs.

Clean Energy Newsletter from Mexico’s Energy Secretary Summarizes MEXIREC/DEMEX Conference in Mexico City

September 2017

The current issue of Energías Limpías, the Spanish-language clean energy newsletter from Mexico's Secretary of Energy (SENER), provides a comprehensive recap of the MEXIREC/DEMEX Conference held in Mexico City Sept. 11–14, 2017. Organized by the Government of Mexico and Renewable Energy for the 21st Century (REN21), the 7th Biennial International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) brought together more than 2,500 participants, from government ministers to high-level decision makers, experts, and thought leaders from the public and private sector, to jointly address the goal of advancing renewable energy within the framework of the Strategic Dialogues on the Future of Energy (DEMEX). Among the 2017 conference highlights featured in Energías Limpías are a workshop on modeling tools in the energy sector hosted by SENER with the support of the 21st Century Power Partnership and the Energy Agency of Denmark (DEA), and a meeting between Undersecretary Leonardo Beltran Rodriguez and Christian Zinglersen, Head of Secretariat for the new Clean Energy Minsterial (CEM) Secretariat, which focused on Mexico's participation in the 21st Century Power Partnership. Other highlighted events include the third meeting of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's North American Renewable Integration Study Technical Review Committee, the third Transregional Workshop on Solar Generation Plants, a Clean Energy EXPO, and visits to the Los Azufres geothermal site and the Pier II Wind Farm. A high-level political conference series hosted by a national government every two years and convened by REN21, IREC is dedicated exclusively to the renewable energy sector and has provided the impetus for several momentous initiatives over the past decade.

New Report: Status of Power Sector Transformation 2017

June 2017

Power sectors around the world are undergoing significant change due to the rapid uptake of new supply- and demand-side technologies. Large-scale wind and solar power as well as distributed energy resources are influencing the planning, operation, and profitability of power systems. Policymakers, utilities, and other stakeholders need to apply innovative approaches to transform the power system, with the objective to achieve sustainable, affordable and reliable electricity. Status of Power System Transformation 2017: System Integration and Local Grids, jointly written by 21CPP and IEA experts, provides an overview of current trends across the globe, with a focus on the integration of renewables and local grid development. A framework for assessing the status of power system transformation is also introduced and applied to Indonesia, South Africa, Mexico, and Australia.

New Report: Policies for Enabling Corporate Sourcing of Renewable Energy Internationally

May 2017
Interest in renewable energy (RE) procurement in new markets is on the rise. Corporations are increasing their commitments to procuring RE, motivated by an interest in using clean energy sources and reducing their energy expenses. Many large companies have facilities and supply chains in multiple countries, and are interested in procuring renewable energy in the grids where they use energy. The policy environment around the world plays a key role in shaping where and how corporations will invest in renewables. Policies for Enabling Corporate Sourcing of Renewable Energy Internationally explores the policy and regulatory enabling environment for corporate sourcing of renewables. A two-page summary brochure is also available.

Power Partnership Drives Momentum to Transform Power Systems

June 2016

At the Global Green Growth Forum in June, representatives from the 21CPP participated in a session on Power System Transformation. The session provided global perspectives on the transformation to a more sustainable power system following COP21 and debated the conclusions with about 70 high-level participants. To ensure further development at scale and speed, the session acknowledged the important role being filled by 21CPP. The Clean Energy Ministerial's Power System Challenge aims to accelerate power system transformation to achieve clean, reliable, resilient, and affordable power for all.

New Report: Clean Restructuring

May 2016

Released at CEM7 in San Francisco, the 21CPP's latest report addresses key issues associated clean restructuring—the transition from traditional, vertically integrated utilities to competitive wholesale markets that rely on variable renewable electricity sources, demand response, and other clean energy options. An overview brochure outlines the report and examples from Mexico, Denmark, and Germany.

COP 21: Powering Innovation for a Sustainable Future — An Electric Industry's Perspective

December 2015

Dr. Lawrence Jones, chair of the 21CPP's Public-Private Leadership Forum, joined the Powering Innovation for a Sustainable Future — An Electric Industry's Perspective panel in Paris at COP 21.

Dr. Lawrence Jones Confirmed as 21CPP Leadership Forum Co-Chair

April 2015

Dr. Lawrence Jones is an energy thought leader with over 20 years of experience in the energy industry. He will bring this experience and expertise to the 21CPP's Public-Private Leadership Forum (PPLF) as its co-chair. Dr. Jones joined Alstom Grid Inc. in 2000 and is currently Vice President for Utility Innovations & Infrastructure Resilience at Alstom Grid in North America. As co-chair of the Leadership Forum, Dr. Jones will guide the activities of this leadership forum in catalysing public-private collaboration in transforming global power systems. "The 21st Century Power Partnership's PPLF is excited to welcome Dr. Jones as its next co-chair," said Doug Arent, executive director of the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis, operating agent of the 21CPP. "Dr. Jones brings vast international and domestic energy policy and development experience and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the PPLF in the coming months."

Dr. Jones succeeds inaugural PPLF Chair James E. Rogers of Duke Energy. Mr. Rogers is chairman of the board for Duke Energy, and also served as Duke Energy's president and CEO from April 2006 until his retirement on July 1, 2013. The 21CPP extends its heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Rogers for leading the PPLF this past year.

India RE Roadmap Outlines Strategy for RE Implementation

February 2015

Report on India's Renewable Electricity Roadmap 2030: Toward Accelerated Renewable Electricity Deployment, developed with participation from 21CPP's India program, was released at the Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet & Expo (RE-INVEST 2015) in New Delhi on 15 February 2015. The report outlines key recommendations and the framework for an integrated policy strategy for rapid RE implementation that complements both existing and planned conventional power projects. The Indian government is already considering adoption of key policy levers suggested in the Roadmap.

Power Systems of the Future Released

February 2015

Power Systems of Future offers a framework for decision making surrounding power system transformation and is co-authored with some of the world's most influential figures in power systems strategy. Read the report now or visit the Publications section for more information.

Report Highlights Opportunities to Build Tomorrow's Electricity Sector

January 2015

A new report published by the World Economic Forum offers guidance on transforming the electricity sector to a more sustainable, affordable, and reliable system. The Future of Electricity outlines recommendations for policymakers, regulators, and businesses in developed markets to attract needed investment. Doug Arent of JISEA and the 21st Century Power Partnership contributed to the report.

"Making Coal Flexible" Now Available in Mandarin

April 2014

The Power Partnership paper "Making Coal Flexible: Getting from Baseload to Peaking Plant" is now available in a Mandarin translation. The original paper was published by Cornerstone, the official journal of the world coal industry. Both English and Mandarin versions of the article are available in our Publications section. In addition, PennEnergy reprinted the article on January 7, 2015.

Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Power Partnership Team Up to Help Mexico Transform Its Power Sector

April 2014

The Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) will provide up to $3.9 million to 21CPP to create and operate a platform for power sector technical support for the Mexican federal government. This program will help Mexico achieve secure, reliable, and clean electricity as part of its energy reform agenda.

The 21CPP is an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial, a global forum to encourage and facilitate the transition to a global clean energy economy.

"The Children's Investment Fund Foundation is working with the 21st Century Power Partnership to help strengthen Mexico's efforts towards being a leader in the field of renewable energy with a modern and efficient energy system," Kate Hampton, Executive Director, Climate Change for CIFF said. "We believe that reliable, clean power can help drive large-scale, sustainable development over time and is therefore essential for improving the lives of children in emerging economies."

"The investment by the Children's Investment Fund Foundation in the 21st Century Power Partnership builds off of our thought leadership in power sector transformation; it allows us to expand our technical assistance our international network of power system experts to strengthen and support Mexico's power sector," Doug Arent of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) said.

NREL and its institutional partner, the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis, act as operating agent of the Power Partnership and will manage the new program. "This work also leverages the Power Partnership's experience on similar activities in India and South Africa," Arent said.

"Mexico is embarking on an ambitious energy reform and is committed to become a global clean energy leader," Leonardo Beltrán, Deputy Secretary for Energy Planning and Transition, Mexico Secretariat of Energy (SENER) said. "We welcome CIFF and the 21st Century Power Partnership as partners in this process."

The activities in this program have been developed in partnership with key stakeholders from the Mexican energy system, including the Secretariat of Energy (SENER), Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), and Electricity Research Institute (IIE). The CIFF funding will be spread over a three-year period.

For more information about the Power Partnership or this program, contact [email protected].

21st Century Power Partnership Works through RAP to Deliver Energy Efficiency Progress in Arkansas

March 2014

Work supported by the Clean Energy Ministerial's 21CPP has helped expand energy efficiency programs in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), a global nonprofit organization that advises public officials on regulatory and competitive utilities policies, was commissioned by 21CPP to conduct a 'deep dive' into a U.S. state with the goal of informing policy makers on utility program designs and regulatory policies to improve end-use energy efficiency.

Roundtable Explores Role of Demand Management in the Utility of the Future

February 2014

The Institute for Building Efficiency and the Power Partnership convened a roundtable discussion of the current status and future prospects of large-scale, distributed energy demand management. Results of the 12 February 2014 discussion have been documented in a summary report to inform key stakeholders in the private and public sectors of opportunities to leverage demand resource management to meet the needs of 21st century electrical power systems.

Eskom, 21st Century Power Partnership Working Toward More Renewable Electricity in South Africa

December 2013

Eskom, South Africa's power utility, with support from 21CPP and the South African National Energy Development Institute, convened a two-day workshop with regional and global power system experts to support the goal of significantly increasing renewable electricity by 2030.

The workshop was designed to strengthen capacity for renewable integration at Eskom and exchange knowledge between energy experts in the region. Topics included evolving approaches to renewable electricity generation forecasting and integration of renewables on low-voltage networks.

"With a vision to significantly increase renewable electricity by 2030, South Africa is helping lead the way to a clean energy future. With this workshop, Eskom has demonstrated its commitment to realizing the vision articulated in the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2010-2030," said Mackay Miller, who represents the 21st Century Power Partnership on behalf of the U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "The Power Partnership is excited to partner with Eskom to develop priorities and human capital needed to implement clean energy goals, which are important for the development of the country and the region."

The workshop, held 9-10 December in South Africa, convened Eskom technical and executive leadership together with international experts in the areas of forecasting and power quality. Representatives attending from the Power Partnership Secretariat included Graham Pugh (U.S. Energy Department), Douglas Arent (Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis), and Mackay Miller (NREL).

About Eskom
Eskom provides sustainable electricity solutions to grow the economy and improve the quality of life of the people in South Africa and in the region. Eskom generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in the country and approximately 45% of the electricity used in Africa. Eskom generates, transmits and distributes electricity to industrial, mining, commercial, agricultural, and residential customers and redistributors.