Distributed Energy
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Feature
Short term pain for long term gain: EPRI assesses expanding US electrification
An electric vehicle may cost more than a gasoline-powered car today, but experts expect consumers to see past that hurdle to the lower operating costs.
By Robert Walton • April 18, 2018
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Line fault again plunges Puerto Rico into blackout
While nearly all the island's generation is back online after Hurricane Maria, the grid that supports it remains fragile and PREPA lacks sufficient reserves to resist minor disruptions.
By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2018
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New Hampshire governor's energy plan leans on nuclear, gas
The new plan by Gov. Sununu aims to diminish the cost impacts of renewable energy procurement by neighboring states, assuming those contracts will be above market rates.
By Peter Maloney • April 18, 2018
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Missouri utilities question data collection recommendations in DER report
The report by Public Service Commission staff wants regulators to direct utilities to collect detailed information about distributed energy resources and their impacts to the grid — but utilities have some concerns.
By Robert Walton • April 17, 2018
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Feature
State-federal concerns could dim FERC's landmark storage order
Wider access to a variety of markets has been hailed as the basis for energy storage growth, but jurisdictional issues could thwart an overarching solution.
By Peter Maloney • April 17, 2018
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New York agencies propose shifting EV fast chargers to non-demand charges
The New York Power Authority has also asked state regulators to direct utilities to develop broad plans to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, similar to proceedings in California and Oregon.
By Robert Walton • April 17, 2018
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Exelon, FE nuke closures would reverse PJM wind, solar benefits: Brattle report
Closing four plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania would harm the environment and raise electricity costs for consumers, a Brattle Group analysis finds.
By Peter Maloney • April 17, 2018
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NGOs challenge New Orleans regulatory plan, Entergy peaker
The New Orleans City Council approved Entergy's proposed gas plant earlier this year, but environmental advocates say the City Council failed to examine "more benign" alternatives, like renewable energy.
By Peter Maloney • April 16, 2018
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Opinion
Transportation electrification should build on energy efficiency and renewables program success
States should build on the foundation of strong energy efficiency and renewable energy policies to accelerate the public benefits of transportation electrification, attorney Robin Lunt writes.
By Robin Lunt
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Opinion
DOE research, development and demonstration funding: Keep on growin'
The Trump Administration is proposing historic cuts in energy RD&D spending. Congress rejected similar cuts for FY 2018 and should do the same for FY 2019, ITIF's Colin Cunliff and David Hart write.
By Colin Cunliff and David Hart
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GM to expand electric vehicle fast charger network with EVgo
The agreement expands the current pilot program, aimed at Bolt drivers, in several major U.S. cities.
By Robert Walton • April 12, 2018
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Utilities, DER providers face off over market access at FERC meeting
Grid operators and utilities want to ensure that new distributed resources do not threaten reliability, while DER providers are wary they will use the argument as an excuse to stifle competition.
By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2018
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DC Council bill would establish US's first independent DER authority
The authority would have the power to review any utility investment over $25 million to see if non-wire alternatives could meet grid needs less expensively.
By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2018
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MISO states push for authority over DER in electricity markets at FERC meeting
The states want to be able to choose whether they allow distributed resource aggregations to play in both retail and wholesale markets.
By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2018
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Feature
Residential storage faces sunny prospects this year
Pairing storage with rooftop solar could boom if interest translates into action.
By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2018
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DOE offers $1.8B for new supercomputers at national labs
The next generation of exascale computing could assist utilities with grid management and infrastructure planning, DOE Undersecretary Paul Dabbar said.
By Gavin Bade • April 09, 2018
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Updated: California muni shelves gas plant to consider renewable options
The Glendale community becomes the latest on the list of jurisdictions reconsidering gas plant investments.
By Gavin Bade • April 09, 2018
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Feature
The two key questions about going to 100% renewables in Los Angeles
The city council wants its municipal utility to reach the clean energy goal, and a new report says it can by 2030 — if the utility can learn new ways.
By Herman K. Trabish • April 05, 2018
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Feature
PG&E to test price signals, load management strategies in EV charging program
As Pacific Gas & Electric begins to roll out electric vehicle charging stations, the utility is focused on how to manage that demand efficiently.
By Robert Walton • April 04, 2018
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Feature
Unnecessary complexity? Assessing New York and California's landmark DER proceedings
New York and California have spent years opening opportunities for distributed energy resources with minimal real impact. Could they have done it differently?
By Herman K. Trabish • April 04, 2018
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Western, Northeast states strike partnerships to boost electric vehicle adoption
The "Drive Change. Drive Electric." campaign will focus on new vehicle models, tax and purchase incentives, and the growing regional network of charging stations.
By Robert Walton • April 03, 2018
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Electric vehicles to dominate Hawaiian roads by 2045, HECO predicts
The utility laid out its plans to boost electric vehicle adoption and use the new demand to lower system costs.
By Robert Walton • April 02, 2018
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Feature
Market-based IRPs: A new paradigm for grid planning?
Instead of forecasts, utilities like Hawaiian Electric and Xcel are beginning to use real-world prices in their integrated resource plans, allowing them to better compare renewables and DERs to traditional grid investments.
By Gavin Bade • April 02, 2018
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EDF to invest nearly $10B in energy storage by 2035
The French utility giant is targeting the residential sector in France and Europe with a variety of self-consumption services that use batteries.
By Peter Maloney • March 29, 2018
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Itron, Sonnen say battery partnership will let utilities maximize grid efficiency
The demand response-enabled system will store and discharge energy to keep electric bills low and maximize the use of solar energy, the companies said.
By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018