b'COMING TOGETHER TO SOLVE A PROBLEM :A CENTER FOR PARTNERSHIPS & INNOVATION SPOTLIGHTAging infrastructure spans our nation and utilities. In additionto facilitate information exchange for those in the utility industry. CPI Brings the Right People TogetherPartnering Across Bordersto day-to-day needs, this inevitable decay stays top of mind forFounded in 1889, the non-profit organization began with a focusSince its implementation, the CPI has found a lot of success inBeing able to partner with organizations that cross state lines many in the industry. How do companies address present andon representing the railroad industry and later evolved to includethe development of task forces within its organization that bringallows for greater insight into a shared problem and leads tofuture challenges? How do they better plan now for whats tothe state public service commissions who regulate public together public utilities, commissioners, government officials,better, more sustainable solutions. Some CPI task forces,come with current resources available? How will their solutionsutilities (energy, telecommunications, power, water, and and state energy offices to learn and collaborate. The need forincluding the NARUC and NASEO partnership mentioned earlier, impact prospective generations? Many companies look to transportation). Understanding the need for collaborative task forces was identified by NARUC members, and each groupspan borders such as this, making in-person meetings more industry organizations for assistance and guidance in solvingproblem-solving among various groups in a single place, NARUCworks on finding a solution to a specific problem.challenging. Many of these groups meet during virtual events, these types of issues.provided that platform in 2000, which over time, evolved into theOne task force that was developed through CPI is focused onwhich are coordinated by CPI.With large initiatives, such as infrastructure maintenance, itsCenter for Partnerships and Innovation (CPI) in 2017 to identifycomprehensive electricity planning. This group includes By introducing virtual meetings, multiple states from the nation sometimes best to get others on board in finding an answer. Andchallenges facing state commissions and provide organizationsmembers of NARUC and the National Association of Statecan come together to accelerate learning from similar programs what better ship than a partnership to lead the way in the deep,with the expertise and strategies to assist in their Energy Officials (NASEO). They operate with the mission forand initiatives, share lessons learned, and emulate each other for sometimes murky, waters of problem solving. When industry-complex decision-making. developing state-led pathways for a more resilient, efficient, andinnovation, says Danielle Byrnett, director at CPI. We continue related entities come together around a common goal, it allowsThe CPI operates as a fully grant- funded program, with most ofaffordable grid. Members of the group include representativesto work to meet our members where they are and supportfor thought-sharing, solution-oriented thinking. This is one of thethe funding coming from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S.from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Utah Officegrowing initiatives throughout the United States.best ways to achieve innovative solutions.Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards andof Energy Development, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio,Bridging the gap in nationwide information sharing, the CPICollaborative Problem-Solving on a National LevelTechnology, and various charitable sources. The focus of CPI isand the California Energy Commission.publishes various resources surrounding innovative insights The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissionersto build relationships, develop resources, and deliver training thatWith new technology available for consumers, this group available for all, including the public, to download at any time. (NARUC) is an advocacy and education organization that helpsprovides answers to state commissioners questions across areviews what states are doing, both at federal and local levels, These resources were put together based on task force efforts range of energy and utility areas (see the chart below). to drive the use of new energy resources, such as solar, through CPI committees of various stakeholders comingenergy efficiency, demand management, and microgrids. Thetogether to share their knowledge with the industry from theirgroup was recently formed and plans to organize a series ofrespective organizations.COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS WITH PURPOSE in-person working meetings to further develop research and Here are some areas of focus for CPI members: implementation practices around new technology. CPI is just one example of how bringing the right minds together around a common goal can have great impact on our nations The NARUC and NASEO partnership task force on infrastructure. As the industry looks to the future of utilityTopic Description Examples Active Project comprehensive electricity planning will help members that aremaintenance, partnerships seem like a no brainer in helpingEnergy infrastructure Advancing understanding Carbon capture, utilization, Carbon Capture, Utilization,navigating uncharted territory, says Nick Wagner, board memberto find solutions. and technology of innovative and storage; natural gas and Sequestration: of the Iowa Utilities Board and former NARUC president. WeSome publications that CPI has produced are Electric Vehicles: modernization technology possibilities infrastructure modernization; Technology and Policy Statushope to provide a set of tools to help the integration of new Key Trends, Issues, and Considerations for State Regulators smart grid interoperability; and and Opportunities technologies in the power system in harmony with individualand Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Replacement andelectric vehicles (paper)state policy frameworks while continuing to provide customersModernization: A Review of State Programs. You can find these Electricity Addressing evolving gridDistribution systems and Mid-Atlantic Distribution safe, reliable, and affordable energy. and other resources by CPI at NARUC.org/CPI.system transition planning challenges planning; comprehensive Systems and Planningand opportunities electricity planning; utility (training)business models; pumped- storage hydro-power valuation; and National Council on Electric PolicyCritical infrastructure, Ensuring the energy Critical infrastructure; Solar Photovoltaic (PV) for cybersecurity, system is safe, secure, cybersecurity for utility regulators;Advanced System Resilienceand resilience and resilient energy emergency preparedness;and Restorationresilient distributed energy (project and papers) resources; and microgridsEmerging issues Enabling commissions toGrid-interactive efficient buildings;Using Energy Efficiency to explore new topics as commission staff surge calls; Meet Peak Electricity Demandthey arise innovation webinar series; and (webinar) connections to technical assistance from national laboratories andother experts A task force gets together to discuss initiative planning during an in-person meeting. Photo credit: Danielle Sass Byrnett, director of CPI.FIVE'