March 2018 – Global Power Law & Policy

K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer – Volume 25

Mar 30 2018

By Buck Endemann, Ben Tejblum, and Daniel Cohen

There is a lot of buzz around blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries from finance and health care to real estate and supply chain management. Reports estimate that over $4.5 billion was invested in blockchain startups in 2017 alone, and many institutions and companies are forming partnerships to explore how blockchain ledgers and smart contracts can be deployed to manage and share data, create transactional efficiencies, and reduce costs.

While virtual currencies and blockchain technology in the financial services industry have been the subject of significant debate and discussion, blockchain applications that could transform the energy industry have received comparatively less attention. Every other week, the K&L Gates’ Blockchain Energizer will highlight emerging issues or stories relating to the use of blockchain technology in the energy space. To subscribe to the Blockchain Energizer newsletter, please click here.

IN THIS ISSUE

Cryptocurrency miners face mounting resistance to energy demands in the United States and Canada
LO3 Energy will launch a blockchain-based renewable energy trading platform in Southern Australia
International Energy Research Centre plans to develop a peer-to-peer energy trading platform
Elia, Belgium’s transmission system operator, to explore blockchain

To view more information on theses topics in Volume 25 of the Blockchain Energizer, click here.

Women in Power event: Indentifying and Innovating through Points of Resistance in Renewables

Mar 28 2018

3 April 2018
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

K&L Gates
925 Fourth Avenue
Floor 29
Seattle, WA 98104

Presenters: Elizabeth Thomas, Jessica C. Tsao, Elizabeth C. Crouse, Elisabeth Yandell McNeil

The Seattle office is hosting a series of exciting discussions about the innovations driving the renewables industry into the future. A diverse range of women panelists from across the industry will discuss methods that industry participants are currently developing to move through known constraints and collaboratively identify additional points of resistance and possibilities for pushing through them.

8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Morning Updates
12:15 p.m. Keynote Panel & Lunch
1:30 p.m. Conclusion

Morning Updates
Regulatory Considerations
Moderator: Liz Thomas, K&L Gates LLP, Seattle
Mariah Kennedy, Puget Sound Energy
Rachel Brombaugh, King County

Technological Advances
Moderator: Jessica Tsao, K&L Gates LLP, Seattle
Jennifer Worrall, Iteros
Kristine Parra, Washington Clean Energy Testbeds
Laura McCarty, Local-E and Energy Trading Technology, Inc.

Finance and Strategy of Expansion
Moderator: Elizabeth Crouse, K&L Gates LLP, Seattle
Corey Camacho, Vestas
Karin Berardo, SIRES Advisors
Kate McGinnis, Fluence

Keynote Panel Discussion and Lunch
Moderator: Elisabeth Yandell McNeil, K&L Gates LLP, Seattle
Vanessa Miler Fels, Microsoft
Tess Williams, Doosan GridTech
Christina Page, Page Sustainability Consulting

Event: Blockchain Technology for the Energy Sector

Mar 27 2018

We invite you to join us for EUCI’s ‘Blockchain Technology for the Energy Sector’ workshop on May 8-9, 2018 live in Houston, Texas. Co-authors of the Blockchain Energizer, Buck Endemann and Ben Tejblum will discuss blockchain’s growing role in the energy sector and the current opportunities and regulatory barriers. Additional topics to be covered will include:

the fundamentals of blockchain technology and its core components
the opportunities and applications for blockchain technology within the energy industry
how blockchain could improve and/or replace existing systems and processes relevant to electric utilities
how blockchain could enable peer-to-peer “transactive” energy markets, and help lead the way in enabling a resilient, distributed energy grid of the future
evaluate sustainability aspects of blockchain — such as how blockchain could improve traceability for natural gas trading
the associated phenomenon of ‘bitcoin mining’

Use the discount code BLOCK18SPK when registering to receive 10% off!

Click here to learn more about the program and to register.

California SB 1399 Proposes to Expand Renewable Energy Opportunities for Non-Residential Customers

Mar 23 2018

By Buck Endemann and Nicholas Nahum

Introduced in February by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), California Senate Bill (“SB”) 1399 would create a new program in which non-residential customers could facilitate the development of off-site renewable energy projects of up to 20 megawatts (“MW”) to satisfy their energy needs.

Traditionally, California’s “over the fence” rule limits distributed solar producers to selling power directly to two or fewer properties and only if such properties are located immediately adjacent to the property where the power is produced. [1] These restrictions, along with California’s net metering tariffs, have historically deterred property owners from installing distributed energy generation beyond what is necessary to service their on-site electricity needs. Properties with little electricity demand but large generating potential (like warehouses or parking lots) are therefore provided little incentive to invest in on-site solar projects without a willing (and often large) buyer.

K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer – Volume 24

Mar 16 2018

By Buck Endemann, Ben Tejblum, and Daniel Cohen

IN THIS ISSUE

Chile’s National Energy Commission Adopting Blockchain to Improve Data Integrity of Energy Information
Electrify Raises $30 Million Through a Digital Token Sale; Will Expand into Southeast Asia
Pemex Announces Plans to Implement Blockchain for Its Supply Chain

To view more information on theses topics in Volume 24 of the Blockchain Energizer, click here.

Tax Credits for Storage After Solar or Wind?

Mar 09 2018

By Elizabeth Crouse, Elias Hinckley and William Holmes

On Friday, March 2, the Internal Revenue Service released Private Letter Ruling (“PLR”) 201809003. The PLR is not binding precedent, but it indicates that the IRS will permit a taxpayer to claim a Code Section 25D credit in respect of a residential battery installed after the solar panels to which it will be attached was installed. In the PLR, the IRS expressly states that it will treat the battery as property that “uses solar energy to generate electricity,” provided only solar energy is used to charge it.

The PLR concerns individuals claiming a credit for a residential system, but don’t stop reading. This outcome matters for C&I and utility scale projects also.

Event: Blockchain in Energy Forum 2018

Mar 07 2018

We invite you to join us for GTM Squared’s Blockchain in Energy Forum on March 7, 2018 live in New York City and available to stream online. Washington, D.C. associate and co-author of The Blockchain Energizer, Benjamin Tejblum, will be presenting on the implementation of blockchain and how to best navigate regulations and new business models. Additional topics to be covered will include a discussion on distributed ledger technologies, re-envisioning the future, enabling a transactive grid, and optimizing operations and identifying new opportunities.

Please note you must be a member of GTM Squared to participate.

K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer – Volume 23

Mar 02 2018

By Buck Endemann, Ben Tejblum, and Daniel Cohen

IN THIS ISSUE

Development of a Peer-to-Peer Energy Market Underway in the United Kingdom
Blockchain Continues to Gain Ground in the Oil and Gas Industry
Canadian Electric Utility Company Considering Implementing a Higher Energy Rate for Cryptocurrency Miners

To view more information on theses topics in Volume 23 of the Blockchain Energizer, click here.

Archive:March 2018