Gene Saunders

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a responsibility to balance lofty ideals with realistic goals of efficiency. Without this balance, their stewardship of taxpayer dollars falls short. The education of seasoned professionals combined with real-world experience is crucial to regulating industries such as power plants. Let's hold the EPA accountable to their mission. #epa #powerplantCEMS #efficiency #taxdollars

1

Utilities and regulators have a lot of work ahead to enact new federal grid planning reforms — and to overcome political and financial interests. “Utilities are always going to want to do these local reliability projects that are in their control, but this plan is certainly trying to get us away from that.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/3yzxgIe #FERC #utilities #transmission #renewables #FERCorder1920

12

I support coal power and view the EPA Rules as being against the best interests of our citizens and national security. Please read and consider #Coalpower #Electricitygeneration #Electricreliability

11

REMINDER: Tune into today's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Transmission Planning Rule Breakdown PowerCast from 1–2 PM ET to hear from a panel of experts as they discuss what the recent FERC ruling is attempting to achieve, its implementation, significance, and potential issues. Register now: https://bit.ly/3wC4WEH

6

“Most proposed storage projects (on the grid side) never get built…!” Energy storage deployment should be growing rapidly, driven by falling battery costs and the Inflation Reduction Act's incentives. However, an interconnection backlog of 540 GW is stalling many projects. Todd Olinsky-Paul, senior project director at Clean Energy States Alliance, points out that the high cost of interconnection can derail otherwise viable projects.  "If the margins for your project are good but not phenomenal and it turns out you're going to have to pay a lot to get it connected… it may completely kill the economics of your project." While reforming the interconnection process is crucial, greater emphasis should be placed on integrating Behind-the-Meter (BTM) energy storage, which bypasses interconnection queues. BTM storage solutions like the IceBrick® system store energy when renewable production is high and discharge it during peak demand, alleviating grid pressure and enhancing renewable integration without relying on extensive transmission infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/eRZVQTZJ #CoolingGlobalWarming #EnergyStorage #TES #renewables #decarbonization 

15

Thanks to PJM Interconnection teams for this insightful #RTEP report showcasing your strategy towards: ➡ optimizing infrastructure investment ➡ fostering transmission and #interconnection planning ➡ strengthening regional planning to benefit consumers #powergrids Manu Asthana

4

A new report highlights recommendations of best practices PJM can take for long-term transmission planning: ✔️ PJM should continue to improve estimates of electrification within its footprint. ✔️ PJM must plan more proactively for retirements across the entire long-term planning horizon. ✔️ PJM should run economic capacity expansion models along with production cost modeling to ensure the optimal buildout of new generation and transmission while delivering the lowest system cost. ✔️ Developing new methodologies, best practices, or results should be done in clear communication with interested parties and allow ample opportunity for input. By 2040, PJM estimates energy demand will increase above the 2024 load forecast by approximately 8% for the expected scenario. See the full report: https://hubs.ly/Q02BBGBZ0 #PJM #Electricity #Energy

10

NERC analyzed 10 large-scale disturbances on the bulk power system (BPS) that involved the widespread and unexpected reduction in output of inverter-based resources (IBR) since 2016 and found that two of the underlying causes of these events were poor modeling and the planning study practices used for IBR performance assessment. The recommendations NERC published today (link below) address these causes.

17

2 Comments

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will finalize its regional transmission planning and cost allocation rule on 📅 May 13 📅 Check out this piece from Cody Lynch, director of renewable energy for Coalfield Development Corporation, on the importance of regional transmission lines to economic development in Appalachia. "Strategic transmission planning and investment is vital to supporting business development, reducing congestion on lines and connecting consumers to the cheapest and most reliable energy sources at any given time." ⤵ https://lnkd.in/encgTDcq

4

🔔 For those who've missed it, PJM Interconnection posted last week a very neat infographic showing the status of their queue. Something I found interesting is that PJM shared they've cleared around 40 GW of new generation to connect to the grid that has not yet started construction. According to PJM, nothing from their end is holding these projects back, but yet they sit idle due to financing, siting or supply chain issues. This also aligns with the recent post made by Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) where they flagged 50 GW of approved generation projects that are in various stages of completion with many still awaiting construction due to similar problems flagged by PJM. If you're a developer in this situation, it would be great to learn more about the challenges you are facing.

65

2 Comments

Have you heard about the Renewable Energy Standard (H.289) bill currently looking to be passed in VT? While the bill has good intentions, it eliminates group net metering, which is the only true way for VT customers who do not have their own solar sites to have direct access to solar energy. Do you see something wrong with this? We do, too! Read our latest blog to get our thoughts, and let your Senator know that while we are all for renewable energy, this is not an equitable solution. https://lnkd.in/eBVcr5N2

4

When a transformer is first energized, a transient exciting current flows to bridge the gap between the conditions existing before the transformer is energized and the conditions dictated by steady-state requirements. For any given transformer this transient current depends upon the magnitude of the supply voltage at the instant the transformer is energized, the residual flux in the core, and the impedance of the supply circuit. Read more https://lnkd.in/e6JZrHx

150

3 Comments

Western Interconnection, Eastern Interconnection, Texas Interconnection (ERCOT), and the Quebec Interconnection. Each interconnection is color-coded, and key cities, states/provinces, major power lines, and renewable energy sources....

1

⚡️JUST RELEASED: DOE’s new roadmap outlining solutions to speed up the interconnection of clean energy onto the nation’s transmission grid and clear the existing backlog of solar, wind, and battery projects seeking to be built. Get the scoop👇

566

14 Comments

Jones Power takes safety seriously. It's one of the main pillars of our organization and has helped us maintain our reputation as a high-quality, reliable company within the #Solar/BESS and #Midstream industries. The section below contains questions you should be asking to help ensure job site safety before starting a task: 1. Has the task been identified? 2. Is everyone trained to complete the task? 3. Are the hazards associated with the task identified? 4. Are controls in place to reduce or eliminate RISKS from the identified hazards? 5. Has a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) been completed for the task? 6. Has everyone involved in the task reviewed and signed the JSA? 7. Was the JSA signed off on by someone of authority, authorizing the work? 8. Does everyone have the proper PPE and properly wear it for the task? 9. Does everyone know and understand their responsibilities while the task is being performed? 10. If an incident occurs is everyone aware of the proper procedures concerning obtaining medical and notifying the proper individual? If the answer to all the above questions is a true YES, the task should be as safe as possible to perform. (NOTE: Not all tasks will require a JSA, an example is office work, but all should be evaluated.) Remember to ask these questions before getting started with a task to reduce any number of mistakes. Stay Safe! https://www.jonespower.com #JonesPower #JonesUnited #WeAreJones #MovingEnergyForward #StrengtheningAmericasInfrastructure #solarconstruction #solarenergy #solarpower #midstream #pipeline

26

Transmission permitting shouldn't be a losing game. We're pleased to see the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s effort to streamline the federal transmission permitting process through its Coordinated Interagency Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) program. But permitting still takes too long: transmission developers are faced with navigating years-long mazes of bureaucratic offices and agencies to obtain permits which resemble the classic board game Chutes and Ladders. NEMA strongly encourages DOE to identify additional procedural steps that currently complicate the permitting process and create a holistic, national policy that anticipates future grid capacity and streamlines transmission policy through FERC’s federal authority. Click below for NEMA's graphic outlining the complexity of the current transmission process. https://lnkd.in/eTbiQbXQ

10

American Electric Power Service Corporation Issues RFP for 600 MW of Virginia-Eligible Renewable Energy Certificates Appalachian Power Company (APCo), represented by American Electric Power Service Corporation, has launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) eligible under Virginia’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). This RFP is part of APCo’s effort to expand its renewable energy resources. The RFP focuses solely on RECs, separate from two other simultaneous RFPs by APCo for wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (up to 800 MW) and for wind and solar energy (up to 300 MW) via power purchase agreements (PPAs). This initiative aligns with APCo’s commitment to providing carbon-free generation as mandated by the Virginia Clean […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dSr_6uh3 #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #america #americanelectricpowerservicecorporation #appalachianpowercompany #batterystorage #northamerica #renewableenergycertificates(recs) #renewableenergy #solarenergy #tender #vcea #windenergy

2

Appalachian Power, a Subsidiary of American Electric Power, Issues Tenders for 1.1 GW of Renewable Energy Supply Appalachian Power (APCo), headquartered in the United States, has announced the release of three Requests for Proposals (RfP) aimed at securing power and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from wind and solar projects, as well as from battery energy storage systems (BESS), whether co-located or standalone. The deadline for bid submissions for all RfPs is July 16, 2024. Request for Proposal 1 (RfP 1): APCo is seeking to procure wind and solar projects, along with co-located or standalone BESS, totalling up to 800 MW through one or multiple purchase and sale agreements. Minimum acceptable project sizes are as follows: PJM Resources: […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gsPWYHsR #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #america #americanelectricpower #appalachiapower(apco) #bess #northamerica #renewableenergy #solarenergy #tender #windenergy

5

CEBA welcomes announcements today from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Biden administration that will streamline and accelerate federal transmission project permitting and bring more, lower-cost #cleanenergy to the grid! Customers need more transmission for an expanded, more reliable, and lower-cost grid. https://lnkd.in/gY-QhGsb The department’s final rule today for the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) Program designates the Energy Department as the lead federal agency for environmental reviews and establishes a binding two-year schedule for approvals. The department also has created a categorical exclusion, the simplest form of review under the National Environmental Policy Act, for projects that use existing transmission rights of way, such as reconductoring projects, as well as solar and energy storage projects on already disturbed lands. And the Biden administration’s effort to mobilize public and private sector leaders to expand the capacity of the existing U.S. transmission network and set an ambition to upgrade 100,000 miles of transmission lines over the next five years using advanced technologies will enable existing transmission lines to carry more, lower-cost clean energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed. These efforts fulfill several of the recommendations CEBA made last year in our federal permitting reform principles: https://lnkd.in/gQFxeYvF

50