Catherine Mitchell: A few months ago I wrote a blog which argued that it did not matter whether we call the emerging distribution entity a DSO (distribution system operator or distribution system orchestrator (the latter a Navigant name) or a DSP (a NY REV distribution system provider (which originally came from Distribution System Platform Provider)) or a distribution service provider (DSP, IGov, and others)) – what mattered was the function of that entity. However, I have now come to the conclusion that this laissez faire attitude above is unhelpful. We are moving to a world where the 3 traditional linked roles of the distribution entity may divide into new separate entities. In this world, we need to be clear about the names and functions of each distribution entity. There are very few places around the world which are taking these steps. It is sensible that we learn from each other. Learning is made harder when there is little agreement on the names we are using for each entity, or their functions. This is a 2 part blog. This Blog 1 sets out the potential differences in names and function, incorporating an interesting set of ideas from a 4 part Blog by James McGuiness from NYS. His blog ideas have many parallels to the IGov Vision, but he uses different names for the distribution entities, and his vision clearly derives from (or at least complements) his company interests. The differences in US and GB regulation also mean that the blog arguments are not entirely relevant for GB – and he certainly has ideas which would seem odd to us in GB – but overall he is introducing new ideas into the distribution governance debate, and he is critical of the type of change and rate of change so far in the NY REV. In the spirit of discussion, IGov is highlighting his ideas. Blog 2 is simply a brief review of each of the blogs in the McGuiness 4 blog series – so any mistakes in its translation are all mine, and I apologise beforehand.
IGov 19th Oct 2018 read more »
Catherine Mitchell: A recent 4 blog series by James McGinness, Founding Partner of David Energy based in Brooklyn, New York City has many interesting ideas about the future needs / functions / form etc. of a fit-for-purpose distribution entity (Blog 1, Blog 2, Blog 3, Blog 4). His first blog sets out his overall argument on why now is the time to liberalise distribution networks; his 2nd blog talks more about co-location and franchise rights; his 3rd Blog sets out how to create the modern electricity utility (the David Energy Roadmap); and the 4th blog is an introduction to blockchain and the retail electricity market.
Igov 19th Oct 2018 read more »