Energy & Integration Strategy

Overview

The Energy & Integration Strategy Interest Group focuses on scouting, evaluating, and demonstrating various emerging technologies and grid options that, whether standalone or in concert, will enable a net zero carbon power system, while maintaining resource adequacy, grid reliability, and affordability.

Consideration is given to the transformation of the energy system, including energy carriers (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels), and requirements for economy-wide electrification. The question of associated T&D designs/paradigms to support more renewable integration and supply are also considered.

Focus areas

Scenario and Resources Planning and Techno-economic Trending for Generation and Storage
Policy and Strategy Integration of Distributed Energy Resources
Decarbonization Pathways and the Role of Utilities
Infrastructure to Support New and High Levels of Grid-edge Technologies
Impact of Advanced Tools and Technologies to Drive Innovation

This group is for

Managers and directors of planning and R&D, energy resource planners and analysts, and specialist positions on alternative energy, emerging technologies, innovation, and strategic partnerships

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Technical Advisor Support

Thomas Dempsey

Energy & Integration Strategy

Thomas C. Dempsey, BSME, PE, MPS, is a mechanical engineer with 33 years of experience in the electric utility industry, specializing in thermodynamics and power plant design. He spent 26 years with Washington Water Power, now Avista, in power plant management, engineering, operations and maintenance, and integrated resource planning. After retiring from Avista in 2022, he worked with a biochar startup pursuing carbon solutions. Thomas holds a Master of Professional Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems and teaches Renewable Energy and Grid Integration as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University.

Top Resources

RESEARCH REPORT

Assessment of Technological Advancements in Flow Batteries and Competing Long Duration Storage Solutions

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This report includes a detailed assessment of flow batteries as long duration storage devices. Long duration is considered greater than eight hours and up to 100 hours of discharge time. It also covers a less detailed assessment of other storage options including advanced lead acid batteries, sodium metal hybrids, zinc hybrid cathode technology, and sodium-sulphur technology.

RESEARCH REPORT

Carbon-Free Fuels for the Future, 2030-2035

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This project provides a technology assessment of future low-carbon fuel options. It also explains any major plant modifications that would be required to burn these fuels in existing plants or those that would be built in the next 10 years. Consideration is given to the economics of transporting either the fuel to the generator or the feedstock to the manufacturing facility.

RESEARCH REPORT

Emerging Energy Technologies to Support a Low-Carbon Grid: Technical and Market Assessment

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This study summarizes the market landscape and state of technology for wind, nuclear, carbon capture and storage, carbon capture and utilization, fuel cells, low-carbon fuels, ocean technologies, and edge-of-grid renewables. Drawing on extensive literature reviews, it evaluates technology readiness, capital and O&M costs, environmental attributes, benefits and challenges, market drivers and barriers, and provides a qualitative risk assessment.

CASE STUDY WEBINAR

Learnings from a Decade of Carbon Capture and Storage at SaskPower

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In this webinar, SaskPower shares lessons from 10 years of operating the Boundary Dam Unit 3 carbon capture facility—the world’s first commercial-scale carbon capture and storage project at a coal plant. The session covers key operational challenges, integration insights, and performance improvements after capturing more than 7 million tonnes of CO₂.

CASE STUDY WEBINAR

Navigating Uncertainty: Best Practices in Scenario Planning for Integrated System Planning

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Salt River Project (SRP) shares its pioneering approach to integrated system planning, drawing on lessons from developing its first public-facing plan in 2023. The webinar highlights SRP’s shift from traditional integrated resource planning to a more holistic, cross-departmental framework to address uncertainty. It explores collaborative scenario development, analytical modeling, and strategies to balance affordability, reliability, and sustainability.

Member Success Story

Analyzing Costs and Technology with CEATI

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