California utility issues RFP for plug-and-play storage systems to fill broader range of grid needs Someday, grid batteries will come in standard packages, ready to be plugged in as fast as utilities can find places and use cases for them. At least, that’s how utility Southern California Edison would like its next round of energy… Keep reading →
“What is spectacular is the extent to which the nuclear industry is appearing to ignore reality.” Global investment in new nuclear is an order of magnitude less than renewable energy investment. That is just one of the findings of a newindependent report on the state of the worldwide nuclear industry that was issued on Thursday.… Keep reading →
Duke Energy’s decision to replace 36 MW of Xtreme lead-acid batteries shows the risks of backing emerging storage tech. Utilities are leery of new battery technologies, no matter how groundbreaking they seem. That’s because they sometimes don’t perform as promised, and fixing that problem can turn out to be an expensive proposition. Last week, Duke… Keep reading →
A groundbreaking, just-filed blueprint to bring distributed solar, batteries, EVs and more into billion-dollar grid investment plans. Two years ago, California told its three big investor-owned utilities to do something they’ve never done before — make distributed energy resources (DERs for short) a fundamental part of their billion-dollar distribution grid investment plans. Under state law… Keep reading →
A push to allow MLPs for renewables could add hundreds of billions in investment. A bill that would allow clean energy projects to leverage master limited partnerships, which are used by the oil and gas industry, was reintroduced in the Senate on Wednesday. “Congress should level the playing field and give all sources of domestic… Keep reading →
GreenTouch outlines how the industry can get there, starting with 5G If you were asked, ‘What’s the biggest energy hog in your house?,’ your answer might be the air conditioner or the old fridge in the garage. Within the walls of your home, the correct response is usually heating and cooling, but another answer could… Keep reading →
Markets, not policy, are starting to drive more energy projects. The White House Better Buildings Challenge has saved participants more than $1 billion in just two years, according to a recent review of the program. More than 250 partners have signed on to the challenge, which calls for a 20 percent energy reduction over 10… Keep reading →
How ERCOT’s idea for aggregating solar, storage and other DERs could unlock the state’s grid-edge potential Texas, despite being one of the country’s largest and sunniest energy markets, has not seen a lot of growth of distributed solar power. Beyond low energy prices, one big reason is that the Texas deregulated energy market, which covers… Keep reading →
The desert Southwest will be the hardest hit. The effects of climate change could hamper electric generating capacity in the Western U.S. during peak summertime energy use by about 3 percent on average, and up to nearly 9 percent if there is ongoing drought. A new study from Arizona State University looked at the effects… Keep reading →
The state’s solar future can’t rely on a flawed modeling platform, say those who’ve tried to use it. California’s attempt to rework its solar regulations could be stymied by a flawed and ineffective software planning tool meant to model the cost-effectiveness of proposed policies to replace the state’s current net metering regime. That’s the stunning… Keep reading →
