Richard Gruber

The DOE report on how to improve and speed up generator interconnection to the US grid is out👇 The many recommendations include: 1️⃣ Improving the scope, accessibility, quality, and standardization of data on projects already in interconnection queues 2️⃣ Creating new and better use of existing fast-track options for interconnection, such as surplus interconnection service, generation replacement service, and energy-only interconnection service 3️⃣ Adopting and implementing a harmonized and comprehensive set of generation interconnection requirements or standards 4️⃣ Exploring and evaluating potential options for delinking the interconnection process and network upgrade investments to increase up-front interconnection cost certainty. 5️⃣ Ensure that generators have the option to elect energy-only interconnection and be re-dispatched rather than paying for network upgrades. 6️⃣ Evaluate all effective mitigation options during interconnection studies, incorporating alternative transmission technologies as well as control options for inverter-based resources (IBRs).

29

2 Comments

Instead of forcing large customers to pick from solar projects that lost in the competitive bidding process, we want to allow customers to arrange their own solar projects, then enlist Duke as the go-between — essentially how the green tariff operates now. John Burns our General Counsel: “Our proposal is to keep doing that up to 250 MW a year and make those megawatts supplemental to the targets in the Carbon Plan and the interconnection constraint. That gives the customer an argument as to why they are accelerating or adding megawatts that the utility otherwise would not have added in that year.” https://lnkd.in/eJHGk_bt

4

💡 The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ordered grid operator PJM Interconnection to plan for future transmission needs, a necessity for the advancement of solar, wind, and storage projects. 💡 Over 167 GW of large-scale solar, wind, and storage projects are awaiting interconnection studies by PJM due to the lack of transmission capacity. 💡 The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed plans for a major “national interest” transmission corridor in the PJM region for a clean energy grid. As changes in the world of solar power pave the way for a greener future, the FERC has called for a transmission planning process that will satisfy the future needs of our ever-growing energy grid. With an impressive 167 GW of large-scale solar, wind, and storage projects currently awaiting interconnection studies, the need for a well-organized plan is clear. This step will ultimately support the rising momentum of solar home usage. As a consumer, you stand to gain from these advancements in the form of better reliability and lower costs. The DOE's plans for a major transmission corridor in the PJM region ensures a streamlined transition towards a clean energy grid catering for future growth. Despite some apprehension, PJM has shown a readiness to adapt to the unique circumstances and regional demands to fully implement FERC’s order. Together, these shifts indicate an encouraging future for those considering solar power. Stay tuned for more updates on this promising sector. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com. 🌞

1

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

The ITC's preliminary determination allows the petition to advance, leading to further investigations by the Department of Commerce. This decision underscores the ongoing complexities and challenges within the U.S. solar industry, balancing between protecting domestic manufacturers and maintaining a stable supply chain for solar components. The forthcoming public comments and subsequent rulings will play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of solar imports and domestic production in the U.S. #GreenEnergy #Renewables

2

The energy transition needs transmission. But as it takes longer than originally anticipated to deliver new transmission, we should try to make the most from the existing network. Here is how batteries can help… https://lnkd.in/gjVaKuZJ

148

15 Comments

Transmission planning & construction gets a badly-needed boost under the #InflationReductionAct. Many say PJM Interconnection faces transmission challenges, not generation shortfalls. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's actions will also address the need to keep energy affordable and connect new clean sources. #ConsumersMatter #fairutilitybills "Building more multi-state transmission lines unclogs the traffic jams on America’s electricity superhighways and unlocks our ability to keep up with our growing energy needs." New FERC Order Empowers States to Expand America’s Electricity Superhighways (advancedenergyunited.org)

3

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

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

Navigating the choice between the ITC and PTC requires careful consideration of project economics, investor preferences, and regulatory frameworks. By aligning incentives with broader climate objectives and mitigating economic distortions, we can unlock the full potential of renewable energy and pave the way for a sustainable energy future. #ITC #PTC #RenewableEnergy

8

Last week, an intense heatwave in the Mid-Atlantic region caused a significant surge in electricity demand within the PJM Interconnection, reaching the eighth-highest demand in the past four years. Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc. provides an in-depth analysis of this impact and the resulting fuel mix, offering valuable insights into energy market dynamics during this extreme weather condition.

7

#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

Positive news for the clean energy transition in the U.S.! Last week, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commision (FERC) passed one of the most significant regulatory reforms to U.S. electrical grid transmission in decades. This landmark ruling aims to support the development of a much needed long-term strategy for planning the U.S. electrical grid's transmission. Why is this important? Transmission and Interconnection remain major bottlenecks to the U.S. clean energy transition. Without a massive expansion and upgrade of the high-voltage transmission grid, the U.S. cannot reach our climate goals or meet our country’s clean energy needs. “As abundant new energy generation projects remain stalled due to a lack of grid capacity and increasing electrification spurs new demand for power, the US grid is facing a lag in transmission buildout. While regional grid operators have made some progress on updating their transmission planning processes to meet these challenges, many of them stand to benefit from a more robust and long-term planning approach.”  – RMI So what’s in FERC’s new transmission and cost allocation rule and what will it do? In short, FERC Order No.1920 aims to improve the regional transmission planning process by taking a more long-term planning approach and addressing the cost allocation for these projects (i.e. how it gets paid for and by who). ⌛ Long-Term Planning: Encourages Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs) to engage in a more proactive, forward-looking regional planning process on a five-year basis. Transmission providers must use a 20-year planning horizon for projected new resources (expanded from the prior 3 to 5-year timeline). 💱 Cost Allocation: Addresses the largest transmission planning hurdle (cost), by establishing a new framework and promoting a portfolio approach that distributes benefits and costs more fairly across different regions and stakeholders. It also provides clear guidelines for states to participate in the decision-making process. 📊 Holistic Approach to Benefits Evaluation: Requires RTOs to assess a more comprehensive set of benefits – not just the costs – in the transmission planning process. Order No.1920 outlines a minimum set of seven (7) Economic and Reliability benefits that must be assessed, including things like upgrading or replacing aging infrastructure, reducing energy losses, improving grid congestion, and mitigating extreme weather events. By mandating comprehensive FUTURE transmission planning, the ruling should facilitate (and hopefully expedite) the integration of innovative grid enhancing technologies and improve the interconnection of clean energy resources to the grid. Barring any major delays from legal disputes or appeals, the provisions of Order No. 1920 will go into effect in 2025. The long-term and forward-looking nature of these reforms should hopefully shape a more certain and expedited trajectory for the United States’ clean energy future for the coming decades.

16

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

The EPA is publishing it's GHG Rule for the power sector this week that will harm power reliability in America and make electricity unaffordable for most people by closing the remaining coal plants that produce 20% of U.S.'s power and making it very difficult to build new natural gas plants that could affordably replace the plants and maintain reliability. There is a better way. The Better Way would provide a higher quality of life for all Americans, not just those who can afford expensive power and back-up systems for unreliable power. It would provide affordable, reliable power for all families and businesses so families would have more disposable income for healthcare, education, food and transportation, etc. Emissions would continue to reduce keeping America the world leader in power emission reductions as it has over last 20 years by reducing CO2 emission rates by roughly 35%. We could provide very affordable, reliable and ever lower emitting power over the next 20 years leading the world in emission reductions by another 20 - 25% points. What is that plan? 1. Support Expansion of Natural Gas Production & Distribution - so power plants can use more of the affordable and low emitting fuel which currently reliably powers 43% of the U.S. power system. The growth from under 20% to its current levels of generation mix is the reason the U.S. leads the world in emission reduction rates over the last 20 years. 2. Stop Increased Regulation of Coal Plants and Allow Market to Decide the Fate of Remaining Fleet - just like what has happened the last 20 years. Because of low natural gas prices and a growing gas fleet, the higher cost, higher emitting coal plants have retired reducing coal's part of the mix from 50% to 20%. Some very low cost, low emitting coal plants could run till 2040 and beyond to bring affordable and reliable balance to the energy mix. 3. Let Market Determine Need/Value of Additional Intermittent Wind & Solar. Their hidden costs are becoming obvious to all in the form of a tax on all customers paid in taxes not a power bill, significant power back-up for intermittent source and significant transmission expenditure to move these resources from production regions with low consumption to high consumption areas. 4. National Priority to Start Next Wave of Reliable, Relatively Affordable & Low Emitting Nuclear plants - by working to reduce the regulatory burden to a manageable level for a safe and well understood resource. We have nuclear power plants pulling into major port in the U.S., the nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, and there is no uproar or need for very large operating/engineering staff. The same could be true for nuclear power plants as we build U.S. capacity for this industry. It's is a very simple but effective plan that mirrors Florida Municipal Power Agency mission to provide affordable, reliable and decrease emitting power to its Members, not just those who can afford expensive power.

60

18 Comments

The current landscape of #cleanenergy policy in the US offers promising opportunities to accelerate our energy transition. Yet, there's crucial work ahead. It's worth noting that obtaining permits and siting for renewable energy projects often outlasts the actual construction phase. Additionally, insufficient transmission capacity poses another hurdle, delaying the realization of renewable projects. It's important for our industry to collectively advocate for streamlined permitting processes and increased transmission capacity from policymakers. These policy advancements are pivotal in shaping a resilient and sustainable energy future, fostering job creation, and nurturing economic growth in communities nationwide. A heartfelt appreciation goes out to Amanda Smith and the Government Relations team at The AES Corporation for their unwavering dedication to engaging lawmakers on these pressing policy matters. Furthermore, we're collaborating closely with key industry associations such as American Clean Power Association (ACP)'s #CPOTH24 and SEIA to advance these policy goals and propel projects forward. Together, we're accelerating the future of energy. https://lnkd.in/eH4nutWb? #GreenerAndSmarter #StrongTeam #SustainableFuture

89

1 Comment

NORESCO’s Joe Singer will be at the IBPSA-USA SimBuild conference in Denver, where he will present, “Reimagining Photovoltaic and Battery Storage Sizing in Energy Codes: Requirements at the Space Function Level.” Co-written with colleagues Eric Shadd, P. E.,, Rahul Athalye and Rob Guglielmetti, the paper demonstrates a new framework which can support prescriptive PV and battery system code development to better track building loads of new designs. The framework uses three modules to (a) optimize PV and battery systems to meet export targets, (b) create a relationship map linking modeled systems to spaces, and (c) proportionally distribute building level PV and battery to modeled spaces.

86

1 Comment

Via PV Mag: " Solar visionaries form ReCreate, bringing 5 GW solar module and cell manufacturing to Tennessee: Dean Solon and Hamlet Tunyan, two solar industry leaders, have partnered on a new venture that will bring 5 GW of solar cells and 5 GW of solar modules to U.S. and EU markets. Dean Solon, founder, CEO and president of Create Energy and Shoals Technologies Group, together with Hamlet Tunyan, CEO of RECOM Technologies, announced the launch of ReCreate. This new venture will establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tennessee with planned production of up to 5 GW of modules and 5 GW of cells for the North American and European markets. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 has stimulated solar manufacturing in the U.S. with production tax credits for manufacturers and investment tax credits for project developers using domestic content. Wood Mackenzie estimates 144 GW of announced module manufacturing capacity, 71 GW of cell manufacturing capacity and 61 GW of wafer manufacturing capacity by 2027. Compare this to the 26 GW of module capacity we have today, along with little or no wafer or cell production, and the 5 GW of both cells and modules anticipated from ReCreate will significantly bolster supply. The facility is located at Create Energy’s manufacturing facility in Portland, Tennessee. Create is a U.S.-based renewable energy company founded by Solon that produces products ranging from transformers, switchgear, PV, BESS, and EV solutions as well as full turnkey EPC services. Solon is renowned for his creative leadership in the renewable energy industry, bringing over 30 years of experience driving engineering, innovation and manufacturing growth in both the U.S. and global markets. “We’re excited to ignite the rocket engines on this new venture and deliver high-quality, American-made solar solutions,” said Solon. “At Create Energy, our mission is to ReCreate the renewables market and offer comprehensive solutions for solar, BESS, and eMobility projects. ReCreate will set the standard for the solar module and cell markets.” Tunyan, well known in the European renewables sector, has decades of expertise in clean-tech manufacturing, project investments and development. RECOM Technologies is a module, cell, inverter, hybrid storage systems, batteries, and electrical vehicle (EV) charger manufacturer. The  company integrates R&D, manufacturing and distribution, with an annual production capacity exceeding 3.2 GW and sales in over 110 countries. Speaking on the partnership with Solon, Tunyan said, “This project represents a significant advancement in our commitment to renewable energy and innovation. By manufacturing in the USA, we are supporting the local economy and setting new industry standards. Partnering with Dean Solon, whose expertise and vision are unparalleled, enhances our capacity to deliver exceptional solar… " #EnergyStrorage #BatteryStorage #Energy

1