MIT’s Utility of the Future: A framework for enabling the efficient evolution of electric power systems

Power and Energy Society

Speakers: Scott Burger, PhD candidate, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society at MIT; advisor to the PRIME Coalition Max Luke, Lead, modeling and analytics team at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Refreshments start at 6pm, talk commences at 6:30pm

Important changes are now affecting the distribution side of electric power systems. Emerging distributed energy technologies are creating new options for the provision and consumption of electricity services. At the same time, information and communications technologies are becoming ubiquitous, enabling more flexible and efficient consumption of electricity, improved visibility of network use, and enhanced control of power systems. The MIT Energy Initiative’s Utility of the Future study report presents a framework for proactive regulatory, policy, and market reforms designed to enable the efficient evolution of power systems over the next decade and beyond. Researchers will present the study’s key findings and recommendations related to reforms in pricing of electricity services, regulation of distribution networks, and market design to respond to the evolving sector and achieve substantial cost savings for consumers and industry.

Scott Burger is a Ph.D. candidate in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society at MIT, where he focuses on developing engineering models to explore the economics of distributed energy resources and the development of tariffs for 21st century power systems. Scott is an MIT Energy Initiative Fellow and was a lead researcher with MITEI’s Utility of the Future Project focused on the optimal deployment and regulation of distributed energy technologies within the electricity system. While at MIT, Scott IEEE PES TECHNICAL MEETING: MIT’s Utility of the Future: A framework for enabling the efficient evolution of electric power systems Free and Open to the Public Visit the IEEE PES Boston Chapter website for further details – http://www.ieeepesboston.org/ served as the Managing Director of the MIT Clean Energy Prize.

Scott is currently an advisor to the PRIME Coalition, where he previously served as the Director of Operations. As PRIME’s Director of Operations, Scott oversaw all of PRIME’s investment operations, working with PRIME’s Investment Committee to “boil the ocean” to identify the most promising early stage clean energy ventures that are fit for philanthropic investment.

Before MIT, Scott led GTM Research’s global downstream demand practice, and led GTM’s entry into the Middle Eastern and Japanese markets. Before GTM Research, Scott was the Director of Engineering for Circular Energy, a solar PV engineering, procurement and construction firm based in Austin, TX (acquired). During his tenure at Circular, Scott oversaw the engineering department as the organization’s revenue doubled. Scott holds a B.S. with distinction in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and an S.M. in Technology and Policy from MIT.

Max Luke currently leads a small modeling and analytics team at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), where he and his team provide analysis that will aid New York State in achieving its clean energy goals and its transition to modern electricity systems. Prior to NYSERDA, Max completed a Master’s of Science degree in Technology and Policy at MIT, where his research was focused on helping electricity network planners assess trade-offs between using traditional investments and innovative solutions to mitigate anticipated network challenges. Max was also a researcher on the MIT Energy Initiative’s Utility of the Future Study, where he made significant contributions to the chapters that are focused on state-of-the-art regulatory practices for distribution network operators and planners. Max will be beginning a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at New York University in the fall, where his research will be focused on animating markets for distributed energy resources.

Meeting Location: National Grid, 40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA 02451 (Rooms: Valley A&B)

Free and Open to the Public Visit the IEEE PES Boston Chapter website for further details – http://www.ieeepesboston.org/