IEEE Power and Energy Society

Chicago Chapter 2019-2020

Regulatory Aspects of Implementing Advanced Technology

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Jessica Bian

Grid-X Partners

About the Topic

Would deploying energy storage and/or other innovative technology alter business models and the utility of the future? We are experiencing significant changes in energy supply due to a number of factors, including the increased availability of natural gas; the growth in renewable, demand-side and storage technologies; and new environmental requirements.

This lecture provides an overview of US federal regulation of public utilities, including rate revision, challenge process, and the landmark orders that shaped energy industries we have today. In addition, the lecture offers insights of why energy industries moved from traditional cost-based regulation to competitive markets in an open access environment, and how regulators encourage the use of advanced technology in new transmission projects. Advanced transmission technologies increase the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of an existing or new transmission facility while continuing to ensure that consumers have access to sustainable energy at a reasonable cost.

About the Speaker

Dr. Jessica Bian is a visionary leader and architect. She has spearheaded electric industry's reliability metrics and grid risk assessment. Currently she is the Vice President of Grid Services at Grid-X Partners. Before that, she was with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington, DC. Previously, she was the Director of Performance Analysis at North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Under her leadership, a total of 18 industry-wide reliability indicators were established to determine grid reliability, adequacy, and associated risks. She is widely recognized as a pioneer and trusted world leader in the field.

Before joining NERC, Dr. Bian was with PJM, ERCOT and Westinghouse Electric. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Tulane University and published over 70 articles. She volunteers at the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES), and has been the Society Secretary since 2016. This year she is a candidate for the PES President-Elect.

Location       Time

ComEd Commercial Center - Auditorium 5:30 PM   Social

1919 Swift Drive (park behind building) 6:00 PM   Dinner (optional)

Oak Brook, IL 60523-1850 6:45 PM   Presentation

(near I-290 & I-294 interchange) 8:00 PM   Adjourn

630-684-3200

Location	Time

ComEd Commercial Center - Auditorium	5:30 PM	Social
1919 Swift Drive (park behind building)	6:00 PM	Dinner (optional)
Oak Brook, IL 60523-1850	6:45 PM	Presentation
(near I-290 & I-294 interchange)	8:00 PM	Adjourn
630-684-3200

Reservations

Please make your reservation by noon on Monday 9 Sep 2019 via the Online Reservation Form.

*** Free food! ***

To celebrate the start of our 2019-2020 season, a family style dinner is on us! But, you must make a reservation by the deadline, otherwise you will have to wait to see if we have any extra food.

Also, we need your help with our 2019 membership drive! Bring a colleague -- free food and a great PES topic!

Security Procedure

You must present a government issued photo ID to the ComEd Commercial Center guard when you arrive. Please allow a few minutes for the guard to create a custom badge with your photo. ComEd employees and ComEd contractors may use their ComEd ID badges to enter the building.

Continuing Education

IEEE technical meetings may be acceptable as continuing education where required for maintenance of professional engineering licensure. Refer to the individual state's requirements for details. A receipt for one Professional Development Hour (PDH) will be provided.

Updated 9 Aug 2019