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Electricity rates are inefficient, which makes them inequitable.

What do we mean by economic inefficiency?

The price of consuming it doesn't match cost of producing / distributing it.

THE PROBLEM

Why is that a problem?

  •  Generation: expensive, polluting peakers are overused
  •  Transmission & Distribution: grid is overbuilt

Impact: current grid isn't used well, so electricity is more expensive than it needs to be, which was equity issues. 

THE PROBLEM

About to get way worse.

  • Split the bill
  • Make each part cost-reflective

How to fix?

  • For energy: $/kWh that reflects time

Cost-reflectivity

  • For network: $/kW that reflects O&M for current infra
    CAPEX for next infra
  • Spain: per-kWh TOU for energy,
                 2-part per-kW subscription for dist. network

CURRENT STATE: EU

  • France:  flat/2-part TOU/critical peak rate per-kWh for energy
                    declining block per-kW subscription for network
  • Italy:  per-kWh TOU energy
               per-kW subscription for network
  • EU reg 2019/943 mandates member states to implement cost-reflective dist. network rates

CURRENT STATE: EU

  • 25 / 27 EU counties have some from of kW capacity charge
  • ~1/3 EU households facing TOU or capacity-based network rate
  • Future network costs must be reflected to grid users through rate
  • 73% has smart meters, vast majority on flat volumetric

CURRENT STATE: US

  • Opt-out / default TOU
    CA:  TOU (2 or 3 part) for both energy & network
    HI:   TOU for energy, demand charge for network
    MO: TOU (with 5:1 ratio) for Evergy energy & network
    MI:   TOU for DTE Energy energy & network
  • Many utilities offer per-kW capacity charges for CI customers

CURRENT STATE: US

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