Distributed Energy: Page 2
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FeatureProposed Texas rule highlights storage's challenges in bridging competitive, regulated energy markets
Energy storage’s unique characteristics make it a difficult fit on the regulated side of Texas’ power market.
By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2018
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FeatureConnecticut legislature poised to act as community solar collides with net metering
Connecticut’s utilities object to a new community solar policy while its advocates say proposed utility changes to net metering are unacceptable.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2018
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Update: Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bill to undermine RPS ballot proposal
The measure will minimize financial penalties for utilities that fail to meet renewable energy targets, muting a ballot proposal pushing 50% renewable energy by 2030.
By Robert Walton • March 23, 2018
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FeatureOn the duck's 10th birthday, here's how to keep it from eating the power system
Before anybody saw how fast solar would grow, researchers described what it would do to the grid and started working on solutions now being implemented.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 22, 2018
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FeatureTime is not on their side: Utilities ill-prepared for EV demand, SEPA finds
Most utilities remain in the very early stages of preparing for a significant jump in demand, according to the Smart Electric Power Alliance.
By Robert Walton • March 21, 2018
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Project finance getting more viable for energy storage, Moody's says
New financing options could be available as declining costs and regulatory support spur energy storage projects.
By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2018
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Nearly 1/3 of planned gas peakers at risk from energy storage, GTM finds
While it could take a while to compete with existing peakers, storage costs are dropping at a rate that could start making it competitive with new peaking plants in about five years.
By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2018
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FeatureNew business models may be the next frontier in lower energy storage costs
Often overlooked in discussions about the declining price of energy storage are business models that aim to lower capital expenses.
By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2018
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CEC: California EV chargers will add 1 GW of peak demand by 2025
A new report from the California Energy Commission also details the "Dragon Curve" — expected electricity demand effects of electric vehicle growth.
By Gavin Bade • March 20, 2018
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FeatureCalifornia's dream of a regional power market faces the risks of a Trump FERC
California's proposed regional electricity market could could generate up to $1.5 billion in annual benefits and reduce GHG emissions up to 10%, but it could be subverted.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2018
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FeatureA complicated calculus keeps the remaining coal fleet alive
The U.S. coal fleet is half the size it was 10 years ago. How are the remaining plants hanging on?
By Peter Maloney • March 19, 2018
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Pennsylvania proposal could bolster EV charging infrastructure
The Public Utilities Commission is proposing to declare that electric vehicle charging is not considered resale/redistribution.
By Robert Walton • March 16, 2018
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FeatureIn the New South, customer demand is showing utilities the dollars and sense in solar
With load flat to declining, utilities in the Southeast are investing in almost no new generation but can't resist customer demand for renewables and the new solar economics.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 15, 2018
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OpinionFERC tries to thread the needle in debate over markets versus mandates
Is FERC destroying markets in order to save them, Montana Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Travis Kavulla asks.
By Travis Kavulla
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New TVA rate plan includes lower energy prices, grid access charge
The federally-owned utility says its proposed rate structure will "better align wholesale rates with the underlying costs" to serve its 154 local power companies.
By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018
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OpinionFrom smart grid to neural grid: Well, how do I get there?
The interplay of smart infrastructure, end-user devices, and applications and services, is what takes the smart grid of today into the Neural Grid future, Navigant's Richelle Elberg writes.
By Richelle Elberg
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GE aims to enhance solar, wind power performance with new storage platform
The company wants to make inroads into the utility-scale storage market with Reservoir, a modular, four-hour duration battery system.
By Peter Maloney • March 07, 2018
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FeatureMaryland is 290K shy of its EV goal; Can a broad stakeholder process get it there?
State regulators brought utilities, customer advocates and charging companies to the table. The result could be the second largest charging network in the nation.
By Robert Walton • March 07, 2018
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All in or half there: Maryland Legislature debates two different RPS bills
Lawmakers are debating two bills that would raise the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50% or 100%. Analysts say the 50% increase will likely muster more support than the other measure.
By Peter Maloney • March 07, 2018
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California utilities offer $10K rebate on new BMW electric vehicle
The hefty rebate will help the state meet its goal to put 5 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
By Robert Walton • March 06, 2018
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Feature
The flip side of FERC's landmark storage order: A call for states to take action
State action will be essential to reach the full potential of FERC Order 841, The Brattle Group says in a new report.
By Peter Maloney • March 06, 2018
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FeatureTackling the perverse incentive: Utilities need new cost recovery mechanisms for new technologies
If utility regulators change key accounting rules, utilities could ratebase contracted cloud computing and DER services, cut customer costs and benefit stakeholders.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 06, 2018
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IRS: Residential storage eligible for ITC when charged by onsite solar
The ruling applies only to an individual storage facility, but shows how the agency may interpret home battery eligibility for the 30% solar investment tax credit.
By Gavin Bade • March 05, 2018
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FeatureTime-travel, utility-style: Outlines of the utility of the future appear
Rocky Mountain Institute experts identify price, data and interconnection as the keys to success for the utility of the future, whether it's an expanded monopoly or a distribution system platform.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 05, 2018
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FeatureDo new rooftop solar price projections mean 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' for utilities?
A thought exercise from Department of Energy researchers suggests the price of rooftop solar could fall low enough to impact “the evolution of the U.S. electricity system.”
By Herman K. Trabish • March 01, 2018