Distributed Energy
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Utility, EV coalition calls for 50% transportation energy reduction by 2050
The 50x50 Transportation Commission laid out more than three dozen policy recommendations, calling for stronger funding in electric vehicle infrastructure, among other things.
By Robert Walton • June 13, 2019 -
Deep DiveThe rise of EVs could overwhelm the grid, but PG&E has a better plan
Stakeholders can use PG&E’s framework to see where the value lies in meeting the power demand that will come with the big shift to transportation electrification.
By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2019 -
FERC chair: 'Complex legal challenges' must be addressed before DER rule can be issued
A house subcommittee questioned FERC regulators Wednesday on issues like PJM's capacity market, state resource mixes and cybersecurity.
By Robert Walton • June 13, 2019 -
Largest EV charging companies in US join forces to expand customer access to stations
The partnership between Electrify America and ChargePoint covers 30,000 charging locations, with station operators expecting improved utilization rates and economics.
By Robert Walton • June 12, 2019 -
Puerto Rico energy plan introduces MiniGrids to avoid repeat of Hurricane Maria
The $14 billion plan also calls for 1.4 GW of solar and 920 MW of battery storage, with the MiniGrids "designed to ensure continued supply to critical loads" as well as "timely recovery of the priority loads."
By Robert Walton • June 12, 2019 -
What's the path forward for DC's grid mod? After nearly a year of study, the city is still finding out
The district has brought together almost 100 groups in a stakeholder process designed to chart a course on grid modernization, but experts say more analysis is needed.
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2019 -
New Oracle tech aims to locate EVs while improving how utilities manage the load
The technology, which utilizes advanced metering infrastructure, aims to help utilities engage with customers and offer time-of-use charging plans.
By Robert Walton • June 07, 2019 -
US energy storage market sees 232% year-on-year growth
The resource had another record quarter in Q1 2019, with 148.8 MW deployed across the U.S. and projections it will reach an installed total of 4.5 GW by 2024.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 05, 2019 -
DC regulators should direct Pepco to consider non-wires grid solutions: SEPA
The new report includes grid modernization recommendations for Exelon subsidiary Potomac Electric Power, which seeks to overhaul the electric system in the nation's capital.
By Robert Walton • June 03, 2019 -
New York utilities increasingly embrace non-wires alternatives as ConEd forges the path
While the state's investor-owned utilities have embraced distributed resources as a means to defer larger grid investments, Consolidated Edison said it will not move forward with a trio of non-wires solutions.
By Robert Walton • May 31, 2019 -
To decarbonize US economy, C2ES foresees large corporate investments and maybe a carbon tax
The environmental nonprofit released three scenarios to reduce U.S. carbon emissions 80% below 2005 levels by 2050, each driven by the fact that the power, transportation and building sectors are interlinked.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2019 -
GM, Bechtel plan thousands of fast charging stations across US
Construction on the first installations is scheduled to begin later this year, with stations concentrated in dense, urban environments.
By Robert Walton • May 29, 2019 -
Advanced technology revenues could grow $65B if market barriers removed: AEE
A new paper from Advanced Energy Economy highlights successes in growing wholesale market access for clean energy resources, while also pointing to a baker's dozen of remaining barriers to entry.
By Robert Walton • May 28, 2019 -
States squandering $3B VW settlement fund with lack of EV focus: report
Two NGOs gave failing grades to 14 states and Puerto Rico for failing to prioritize electric vehicles and infrastructure when spending funds that resulted from the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal and resulting settlement.
By Robert Walton • May 24, 2019 -
Eversource turns to non-wires solution in outage-plagued New Hampshire town
The project in Westmoreland includes a large-scale battery, energy efficiency efforts and a program to incentivize customer-owned distributed resources.
By Robert Walton • May 23, 2019 -
Senators launch bipartisan initiative on long term solutions to expiring energy tax credits
Finance Committee task forces are expected to produce options by the end of June that can be enacted this year while clean energy advocates are pushing to also give storage access to tax credits.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 21, 2019 -
SCE rolls out $356M charging program to spur electric trucks, buses and other large vehicles
Southern California Edison's Charge Ready Transport program is aiming to install charging infrastructure at almost 900 commercial customer sites in the next five years, to support 8,490 electric vehicles.
By Robert Walton • May 21, 2019 -
Deep DiveWant to know if California can make zero emissions by 2045? Here's what to watch
To reach a zero emissions economy, California needs to eliminate natural gas by regionalizing the Western grid and coordinating local and state system planning.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2019 -
AEP, Honda partner to test vehicle-grid integration with used EV batteries
Other automakers such as Nissan, Hyundai and BMW have also inked deals with energy companies to utilize EV batteries with useful capacity that no longer work in vehicles.
By Robert Walton • May 21, 2019 -
New Hampshire Gov Sununu vetoes bill that would quintuple net metering cap
Legislators passed a bill in May to increase the cap from 1 MW to 5 MW and will now need to pass the bill by a two-thirds margin, again, to override the governor's veto.
By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: June 4, 2019 at 9:01 a.m. -
Colorado gives utilities one year to file transportation electrification plans
A bill approved by legislators and sent to the governor last week would also allow utilities to own charging stations and earn a return on the investment.
By Robert Walton • May 20, 2019 -
New York updates price signals to recognize full value, spur distributed energy resources
The Public Service Commission approved adjustments to standby and buyback service rates aimed at reducing peak demand and operating the electric grid more efficiently.
By Robert Walton • May 17, 2019 -
Greenlots partners with Columbus Yellow Cab on fast charger network
The stations will help the cabs charge more quickly to maximize efficiency, and will enable Yellow Cab to expand the number of electric taxis in use.
By Jason Plautz • May 17, 2019 -
Charge stations are pain point as Pepco asks DC to reconsider transportation electrification plan
Regulators rejected its plan in part because of a proposal for utility-owned EV charging stations, but Pepco says the city's laws never indicated a competitive market alone was supposed to help the city reach its goals.
By Robert Walton • May 15, 2019 -
Florida approves TECO solar energy tariff, increasing access to green energy
As TECO works to develop the largest percentage of solar power of any Florida utility, its customers will be able to subscribe for a $0.063 per kWh charge to access 17.5 MW of solar.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 15, 2019
