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Competitive electricity markets are helping lead the nation toward a smart grid future. So says a new report from GTM Research, which ranks the top 10 states leading smart grid implementation. Seven of the 10 states participate in competitive electricity markets. California ranks first, followed in the rankings by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
 
These state rankings result from a mix of effective regulatory oversight and private investment, but all deliver economic and environmental benefits to consumers. “These 10 states are the laboratories for U.S. smart grid policy, and their influence on the pace and scope of deployment is durable and growing,” said Stephen Munro, energy policy analyst for GTM Research.
 

The recent American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Year End 2009 Market Report showed that the U.S. wind industry set new records for installed wind capacity by adding nearly 10,000 megawatts of new capacity in 2009. Again, as in past years, competitive markets are leading the way in developing this clean and renewable energy resource.

The report underscores wind’s contribution to our national energy portfolio, and the role competitive markets have played in spurring new capacity. America now enjoys 35,000 megawatts of installed wind power generation, nearly 2 percent of our total national energy capacity. Four of the top 10 (and two of the top three) highest-volume states in installed capacity are competitive markets. In addition, the total combined installed capacity of the 17 competitive markets states is 16,500 megawatts - nearly half of the nation’s total installed capacity.