Distributed Energy
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IREC includes storage for the first time in its updated interconnection procedures
As storage becomes a larger player in the power system, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council recommends best practices for interconnecting the controllable distributed generation.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2019 -
Louisiana utilities to pay less for rooftop solar power under new net metering rules
The changes will also allow utilities to recover any lost revenues from the excess power provided by rooftop solar, "a pretty remarkable turn," says one opponent.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 13, 2019 -
Michigan urges MISO, PJM to improve regional reliability after Consumers compressor station fire
In a letter to the grid operators, the state's governor and head regulator called for quicker interconnection processes to improve regional resource diversity and a reexamination of demand response capabilities.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 12, 2019 -
Deep DiveAs utilities scramble to manage explosive DER growth, is power grid autonomy a solution?
The U.S. electric grid could face hundreds of millions of distributed resource deployments in the near future. But optimizing these data points may exceed human ability.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2019 -
Deep DiveThe unknown costs of a 100% carbon-free future
State approaches to 100% clean energy vary, and while several costs remain unknown, some utility solutions are emerging.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 03, 2019 -
Dominion launches electric school bus initiative, aims for 100% electric fleet in Virginia territory by 2030
The utility wants 1,000 electric buses by 2025, at no additional cost to school districts.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2019 -
Is PREPA ready for hurricane season?
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has "a fragile system," according to the utility's director of project management, and "it still hasn't been elevated to the codes and standards for a Category 4" storm.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2019 -
OpinionLet's reduce wholesale market costs by tapping the full potential of DERs
"FERC should continue to enable more opportunities for DERs to contribute to the future of the grid ... we must unlock the potential of this fleet to create a more efficient grid for all," writes Sunrun's Chris Rauscher.
By Chris Rauscher • Aug. 27, 2019 -
Deep DivePG&E may answer the billion dollar grid modernization question
A step-by-step regulatory process in California confronts the technical challenges and "obscene expenses" of distributed resource investments.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2019 -
RMI calls for national mandates on EV purchases, AV testing
The Rocky Mountain Institute warned the U.S. could fall further behind on new mobility options without stronger central leadership.
By Chris Teale • Aug. 23, 2019 -
California calls for $100M to incentivize DERs in high-risk wildfire areas
The Public Utilities Commission proposed changes to the state's primary storage incentive that would create a budget for low-income customers in wildfire threat areas.
By HJ Mai • UPDATED: Sept. 13, 2019 at 9 a.m. -
'Nearly all' high voltage EV charging stations lose money: Report
Lower-wattage electric vehicle charging stations are less likely to lose money in the current market, as some regions struggle to launch large-scale EV deployment.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Phase 2 of HECO's performance-based rate rollout would reward speedy DER interconnection
The company's proposal includes several performance-based metrics, including penalties and rewards for speed of connecting DER systems less than 100 kW.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Colorado adopts California's zero emission vehicles mandate
The ZEV mandate requires automakers to develop more electric models and advocates say it will save customers $65 million annually by 2025.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Deep DiveWhat will electricity pricing look like in 2040?
Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019 -
lllinois budget comes up 500K RECs short of 2025 goals
The Illinois Power Agency issued its draft resource plan last week, which outlines scenarios if funding becomes available through legislative action.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2019 -
Tesla relaunches solar division, will rent rooftop systems in 6 states
"With the new lower Tesla pricing, it's like having a money printer on your roof if you live [in] a state with high electricity costs," CEO Elon Musk tweeted.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2019 -
OpinionXcel needs a push to improve its grid transparency tools
Further improvements to Xcel's hosting capacity analysis and map are necessary to help Minnesota realize the full potential of DERs, including renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, writes Yochi Zakai, an attorney for IREC.
By Yochi Zakai • Aug. 20, 2019 -
California OKs $100M SDG&E commercial EV charging plan, testing electric buses as grid assets
The school bus pilot program will test the ability to use electric vehicles as a distributed energy resource to improve the utility's load factor and reduce local air pollution.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019 -
Simultaneous hack of EV chargers could cause Manhattan blackout, NYU researchers find
High-wattage public charging stations could be used by hackers to destabilize the electric grid and potentially cause blackouts, according to analysis from the New York University Tandon School of Engineering.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Deep DiveEveryone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth
Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Deep DiveRenewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility
New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveHollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas
Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019 -
Microgrid deployments not driven by natural disasters: WoodMac
Interest in resilience is strong, but just one of the motivations behind the proliferation of microgrids.
By Max Witynski • Aug. 12, 2019 -
Deep DiveCrossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy
A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.
By Max Witynski • Aug. 08, 2019
