Atlanta, GA, April 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  April 1, 2020

ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading management consulting firms specializing in energy, recently joined the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) in a fact-finding mission to the Aloha State—Hawaii. The group of more than 20 energy industry executives aimed to uncover how the state hopes to achieve its ambitious goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. In particular, they wanted to explore the impact of increasing renewable energy penetrations as well as regulatory and customer engagement strategies in Hawaii.

Hawaii has positioned itself as a trailblazer for the future through renewable energy resource development and implementation. Its innovative efforts offer valuable lessons for other utilities around the country that are considering or preparing for increasing penetrations of renewable generation.

This new article, featured in the April edition of Public Utilities Fortnightly, shares key insights gathered from the trip, including key lessons on planning for long-term goals, enhancing customer engagement, and improving grid operation.

 Hawaii’s goal to end dependence on fossil fuel is an effort to save ratepayers millions of dollars. To meet the renewable energy portfolio standard requirement, both of the state’s electric utilities, Hawaiian Electric Industries and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, have come to realize that decisions made today lay the foundation for long-term success or failure. In addition, the utilities are expanding stakeholder engagement and rethinking how to best operate the electric grid. The new and innovative technologies and services are actively transforming the role of the electric utility from a commodity supplier to a community-engaged service provider.

“Hawaii’s electric utilities have set the standard for renewable energy innovation,” says Paul Quinlan, clean technology manager at ScottMadden. “They are not only meeting state mandates, but they are inspiring nationwide energy transformation that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable,” continues John Pang, partner at ScottMadden.

 “Our industry executives from the mainland left with many examples about transformation and enhancements to long-term planning, customer engagement, and grid operations,” stated Sharon Allan, SEPA’s chief innovation officer. “The realization that new approaches aren’t just needed but required left an indelible impression.”

If you are interested in additional insights that can be applied to planning and business decisions, please contact us.

 About Smart Electric Power Alliance

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is dedicated to helping electric power stakeholders address the most pressing issues they encounter as they pursue the transition to a clean and modern electric future and a carbon-free energy system by 2050. We are a trusted partner providing education, research, standards, and collaboration to help utilities, electric customers, and other industry players across four pathways: Transportation Electrification, Grid Integration, Regulatory Innovation and Utility Business Models. Through educational activities, working groups, peer-to-peer engagements and advisory services, SEPA convenes interested parties to facilitate information exchange and knowledge transfer to offer the highest value for our members and partner organizations. For more information, visit www.sepapower.org. Follow SEPA on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

About ScottMadden’s Energy Practice

We know energy from the ground up. Since 1983, we have served as energy consultants for hundreds of utilities, large and small, including all of the top 20. We focus on Transmission & Distribution, the Grid Edge, Generation, Energy Markets, Rates & Regulation, Enterprise Sustainability, and Corporate Services. Our broad, deep utility expertise is not theoretical—it is experience based. We have helped our clients develop and implement strategies, improve critical operations, reorganize departments and entire companies, and implement myriad initiatives.

About ScottMadden, Inc.

ScottMadden is the management consulting firm that does what it takes to get it done right. We consult in two main areas—Energy and Corporate & Shared Services. We deliver a broad array of consulting services ranging from strategic planning through implementation across many industries, business units, and functions. To learn more, visit www.scottmadden.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn.