Distributed Capacity Procurement: A New Tool for Utilities

Pier LaFarge, Sparkfund's CEO, and Paul Bonney, Kleinman Center Board Member, will discuss the Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) model, which empowers utilities as leaders of the energy transition to meet the unprecedented demand for electric power driven by a return of US manufacturing, data center growth and electric transportation. With their deep understanding of the grid, utilities are uniquely positioned to lead the charge on planning, siting, deploying, and dispatching distributed capacity resources (DERs) to create a more resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective grid. The DCP model is a new tool utilities can pick up that allows them to deploy DERs at the scale and pace necessary to support economic growth and transform the built environment for the benefit of our society. Following the discussion, a brief Q/A session will be held.

Pier LaFarge is the co-founder and CEO of Sparkfund, an energy transition partner providing program management, project implementation, and financing services for utilities and building owners. He serves as a Trustee at The Nature Conservancy's Maryland and DC chapter, and as a Next Gen Strategy Committee member supporting the board of Fidelity Charitable. Previously, while at ICF International, he co-founded a service offering focused on energy efficiency finance strategy. In 2010, he founded Race to Replace, a statewide clean energy-focused voter registration campaign in Vermont in partnership with League of Conservation Voters.

Paul Bonney served as a senior vice president of Exelon and a number of its subsidiaries: Bonney was senior vice president, legal and regulatory strategy for Pepco Holdings from 2016 to 2018, senior vice president and general counsel of Constellation Energy from 2012 to 2016, and vice president of regulatory affairs and general counsel at PECO from 2007 to 2011. Bonney was vice president and deputy general counsel-regulatory of Exelon from 2001 to 2006. Prior to joining PECO in 1990, Bonney was an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and a law clerk to the Honorable Edward N. Cahn, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Bonney also worked for National Economic Research Associates, an economic consulting firm in Washington, D.C., and at the Chicago Board of Trade. Bonney currently is a lecturer at Clemson University, teaching courses in Energy and Sustainability, Business Strategy and Business Law. Bonney is also an energy-industry consultant and a Director of The York Water Company.

Bonney received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and a J.D. from Georgetown University.

Please note this is an in-person event. We look forward to welcoming guests to the Kleinman Center’s Energy Forum. A recording will be available on the Kleinman Center website the following day.

Boxed lunches will be available to go following the event!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, 220 S. 34th St., Philadelphia, United States