Dear KEEP Community,

With transportation being the number one source of global warming emissions in the United States (EPA 2020) and the second-largest in Wisconsin after industry (WI PSC 2020), many organizations and governments are making electric vehicles (EVs) a key part of their plan to reduce climate pollution. Federal and state funding, like the grant WPPI Energy was awarded, are efforts to accelerate EV adoption and charging infrastructure across the state. Read the EV Tool Kit created by Wisconsin Environment Research & Policy Center, WISPIRG Foundation and Frontier Group for more information on tools and policies that leading cities have adopted to make it easier to buy and own an EV.

As customer expectations evolve and the electric industry continues to transform, utilities prepare for the future. WPPI Energy (WPPI), a not-for-profit wholesale power supplier, along with their 51 community-owned member utilities that provide electricity to 185 public schools in Wisconsin, are working through joint action to understand and meet customer needs in the areas of technology and digitalization in the ever-changing energy landscape.

A vast range of new energy services trends are generating growing customer interest in smart home technologies, beneficial electrification, battery storage technologies, self-service options, and a variety of climate solutions.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a climate solution also gaining in popularity. Utilities have a unique opportunity to assist in the acceleration of EV adoption. Understanding how the various climate solutions can be integrated is the first step. Last month, WPPI, in partnership with six WPPI member communities and Power Systems Engineering, was awarded $100,000 in funding through the Office of Energy Innovation at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s recent Energy Innovation Grant Program. Through this project, WPPI will collaborate with its member utilities to develop tools for forecasting and planning distribution upgrades that will support residential EV adoption. Member utilities serving as co-applicants include: Cedarburg Light & Water, Eagle River Light & Water, Hartford Electric, New Richmond Utilities, Prairie du Sac Utilities, and Sun Prairie Utilities.

WPPI is also evaluating EV rate options and incentives and developing a comprehensive communication and awareness plan to help identify residential and commercial target audiences for EV outreach within their member communities. The communication plan will also help educate customers on the benefits of EVs and help overcome barriers to their adoption such as charging, range anxiety, costs, and maintenance.

Have questions or need additional resources? Contact us at keep@uwsp.edu. We are here to support educators and students with energy and STEM opportunities.