Jay Marhoefer

DOE proposes ten “national interest” transmission corridors (my latest for PV Magazine USA) Eight of the ten transmission corridors proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy would facilitate transmission between grid regions; one would expand transmission within the Mid-Atlantic’s #PJM grid region; and one would expand transmission in the Northern Plains.

16

2 Comments

The new #ERCOT mandate can become a pressing issue but we are here to help! Please reach out to explore how we can help!

25

4 Comments

FERC has approved interconnection reform - and this is *generally* good for the energy transition. That said the devil in in the details of how states and utilities implement these changes. Some improvements like penalties assessed against utilities for tardy studies, trying to clean out queue squatters, and expressly identifying certain technical flexibility into interconnection design are good. However, we have specifically seen "Cluster Studies" and higher financial security requirements stymie development and create very costly and endless loops of re-studies in many markets (utility and DG). Calling on American Clean Power Association (ACP) Solar Energy Industries Association and importantly state level advocacy and watch dog groups to closely watch and actively participate as the implementation of these changes occur at the state level PUCs and DPUs - ensuring proper accountability and fair play. https://lnkd.in/ewehaH52 NYSERDA New York Solar Energy Industries Association MID-ATLANTIC RENEWABLE ENERGY COALITION Renewable Energy Vermont American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Smart Electric Power Alliance NECEC Cleantech Leaders Roundtable

44

2 Comments

#unavoidableopportunity #climateresilience investment now. "Separately, the Department of Energy is trying to help utilities squeeze more capacity out of the existing grid. That includes “grid-enhancing technologies” such as sensors that allow energy companies to send more power through existing lines without overloading them and advanced controls that allow operators to ease congestion on the grid. It also includes replacing existing lines with advanced conductors, which can potentially double capacity along existing routes. The Energy Department is currently offering $3.9 billion in funding that could go toward these and other solutions."

2

1 Comment

⚡ Interested in unlocking the true potential of #distributedenergy? There are a few spots left in our workshop at Microgrid Knowledge 2024! ⏳ When: April 22nd at 1 pm (Exactly 1 week away!) 📍 Where: Harbor Ballroom B 🤝 We are excited and grateful to partner with Kate Cummings from G&W Electric Co., David Braun from Intelligent Generation, Venkataramana Ramireddy from Rolls-Royce Solutions America, and Samuel Harrell from Intel Corporation. This 2-hour Workshop will cover the following use cases and MORE! 1. Setting and operating systems capable of complex operations 2. Utilizing Grid Services to maximize the revenue potential of the assets within your system 3. Moving towards a commitment to Net Zero Carbon by efficiently configuring systems that maximize renewables 4. Establishing a digital foundation that enables an expanding microgrid portfolio 5. Connecting to the digital world to deliver solutions at scale Don't miss this powerful discussion and demonstrations on building, deploying, optimizing, and managing microgrids for real-world applications. Link to register below 👇 #workshop #MicrogridKnowledge #MicrogridKnowledgeConference #SustainableEnergy 

33

4 Comments

Reconductoring could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035. (My latest for PV Magazine USA) Replacing existing transmission lines, known as conductors, with advanced conductors could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035 even if transmission in new corridors was limited, found a study by UC Berkeley and GridLab researchers. 3M CTC Global TS Conductor Amol Phadke #Reconductoring

6

Bottlenecks are everywhere in energy transition infrastructure: - supply chain disruptions in transformers, inverters, and switch gears - transmission and substation capacity constraints due to red tape - interconnection queues full as utilities conduct feasibility studies Labor is the next big bottleneck to join this list. We can only deploy renewable assets as fast as labor will allow. More in the comments 👇 #energytransition #labor #inflation

14

1 Comment

Grid analysts challenge Bonneville Power’s pace in adopting advanced conductors--my latest for PV Magazine USA. As the White House encourages utilities to use advanced conductors to help interconnect new renewable generation, the federally-owned utility Bonneville Power is moving slowly to use the high-capacity conductors, analysts said. Mike O'Boyle, Casey Baker, Michelle Solomon #AdvancedConductors

6

Going #electric at home may appear daunting and costly. However, with state and federal incentives, this shift becomes more feasible. DSIRE's (screenshot below) platform simplifies identifying available state incentives for renewable energy and efficiency initiatives. Companies like Rock Rabbit, EnergySage, Encentiv Energy, Opower, Rebate Bus, Sense, Enervee, Powerley, and others are demystifying these incentives, making them more accessible to homeowners. Learn more in Climate People's latest #1MinuteClimateSnippet: https://buff.ly/3KyG3Nz .

23

1 Comment

This article states grid operators are not effectively using inter-regional ties. At least from my experience in the northeast, the operators’ hands are generally tied by market rules. Transactions across inter-regional ties between the BAs/RCs are scheduled according to the bids submitted into the market. They are scheduled based on the LMPs in each of the respective systems relative to the submitted bids of the transactions. The operators in most cases are precluded from scheduling any energy across the inter-regional ties short of emergency assistance. Operators moving energy based on their view of economics and where power should be flowing results in them being crucified by the stakeholders for potentially manipulating the market and the prices. I’m not really sure where this conclusion came from but it does operators a disservice. #NREL #energyscheduling #operations

22

6 Comments

What a great program from GridLab. Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship can be daunting. Don’t let the fear win out. Support like this in the beginning is a great way to help with the transition. Kudos to GridLab

6

1 Comment

I know this headline sounds exciting, but it doesn't take an academic study to realize that if a) batteries charge when prices are low and discharge when prices are high; b) coal generation is cheaper than gas generation in some markets at some times; then c) batteries can increase coal generation during charging and displace gas generation during discharging. HOWEVER: the analysis around ancillary markets is a bit of a red herring in that these markets are small relative to the amount of batteries getting built. Moreover, in the type of energy transition world where battery economics make sense, you have to have frequent surplus renewables to push the charging costs sufficiently low. https://lnkd.in/g_PvuSqa

28

1 Comment

PJM issued a Hot Weather Alert with expected temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s over the next 10 days. To ensure grid reliability during this hot spell, the alert is in effect from June 17 through June 21, and may be extended based on updated forecasts. This alert prepares transmission and generation operators for significant increases in electricity demand. However, PJM Interconnection’s currently has the generation capacity and transmission capability to meet the expected demand on the system during the heat wave, but extended periods of extreme heat does have the potential to stress the electric system and cause reliability challenges. It's interesting to note that in comparison to 2023, on the solar side, the biggest projects include the 427 MW Fox Squirrel Solar Farm, 150 MW phase of the Fox Squirrel Solar Farm, which will have 577 MW of capacity once fully operational later this year, however, the 325 MW AEUG Union Solar Project in Union County, Ohio is expected to support the grid this summer. The 2023 Cumulative Capacity of the renewables in PJM was around 220,827 MW, and they plan to add over 10,000 MW in the following years wherein 95% of the projects are all renewable generation sources. Solar energy will definitely play a key role this summer.

14

For anyone who will be at IEEE Power & Energy Society T&D Conference feel free to stop by our panel session on #EVs and #gridreliability. Will be an interesting cross-sector discussion including technology provider, independent system operator, and utility perspectives among others. E-mobility is driving the blending of Transmission and Distribution system planning, design, and operations. Particularly with the growing prevalence of distributed energy resources, IoT and grid-edge technologies, and virtual power plants (#VPPs).

15

My hot take today is about a little noticed announcement the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released quietly today. It has reopened an opportunity to fund carbon dioxide transportation networks. This is a positive and a much-needed development because Cipher reporting earlier this year revealed that many of the carbon storage projects are not just dependent on securing permits but also on delivering the captured CO2. Aware of the paucity of transport networks, DOE itself noted, the U.S. will need to capture and permanently store approximately 400–1,800 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2050 to meet its commitments. https://lnkd.in/ef7JPEgr In other top reads by my colleagues, Cat Clifford highlighted a Bloomberg article that spotlights how Holtec International, a company involved in making nuclear waste storage casks, is now looking to revitalize a nuclear plant headed for decommissioning. And Bill Spindle reported about an upcoming gathering of corporate heads of fossil fuel and tech companies. We try to stay on top of breaking news about the global developments in the cleantech and climate space and share them with you so continue reading our Top Reads and Hot Takes at Cipher News. Cheers!

34

2 Comments

Steve Everley, great chart showing how natural gas generation has led the way to lower emissions in the U.S. much more so than intermittent solar and wind. Its amazing the EPA is trying to limit new natural gas generation as a part of its GHG Rule released last week and somehow limit existing natuarl gas generation in other dockets. Florida is a perfect example of natural gas' role in emissions reductions. Florida has seen a 35% reduction in emissions from 2005 to today almost entirely due to switching from coal and oil to natural gas generation which now produced 75% of Florida's generation, by far the highest percentage in the U.S. Better yet, electric prices grew far less than in other states being below the U.S. residential price average in 2024 despite having no natural resource advantage like hydro, natural gas, coal or oil advantages. We at Florida Municipal Power Agency are putting our future on natural gas generation to provide affordable and reliable power for all while continuing to reduce emissions for decades to come.

31

1 Comment