Morning Brief: massive PacifiCorp renewable energy RFP excites developers, China’s energy storage boom falters

First Solar has signed a framework agreement with Geronimo Energy to supply Geronimo with 415 MWdcof its Series 6photovoltaic modules in 2022. This latest deal now brings the two companies to over 1.4 GWdc of both systems and module technology sales. “As America’s solar company, we’re proud that our Series 6 technology will play a role in their continued growth, enabling the success of their multi-gigawatt U.S. solar pipeline,” said Darin Green, senior director, Business Development, First Solar. Source: First Solar

Massive PacifiCorp renewable energy RFP excites developers: PacifiCorp is embarking on a request for proposals that could result in the biggest solar power and battery energy storage projects the region has ever seen. “This is a big deal,” said Spencer Gray, executive director of the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition. “It’s a lot of megawatts and there is a high level of interest among our members engaging here.” The offering spins out of PacifiCorp’s 2019 integrated resource plan, unveiled last fall and now in the final stages of regulatory review. Modeling by the utility yielded accelerated coal plant closures and a preferred portfolio — the mix of generating resources — that included around 1,800 megawatts of new solar paired with 595 megawatts of battery storage, along with nearly 2,000 megawatts of added wind. Source: Portland Business Journal

China’s energy storage boom falters: China’s energy storage industry seemed sure to grow alongside renewable energy for decades to come. Two-and-a-half years later, stalling reform, shifting policy and a slowing economy had put the sector in crisis even before the coronavirus pandemic struck. “It’s gotten very difficult to do energy storage,” says Paul Man, general manager of Anxin, an energy storage company, which is part of the Golden Concord energy conglomerate that owns the Suzhou solar panel factory. “If government policy doesn’t change, energy storage won’t be doable in China.” Source: China Dialogue

D.C. circuit hears argument about vital FERC energy storage order: EDF joins allies supporting the FERC today for virtual oral argument in a case that will have a vital impact on America’s clean energy future. This morning a three judge D.C. Circuit panel will hear argument by teleconference about FERC’s Order 841 – an order that permits energy storage to compete fairly in wholesale power markets. EDF is supporting the order. “FERC’s order 841 creates an even playing field for energy storage to compete with traditional fossil fuel generators, which is an essential step to realizing cleaner, healthier air and a clean energy future for America,” said EDF attorney Michael Panfil.  Source: EDF

The Midwest Solar Expo will not be postponed until 2021, but rather the 2020 show will be experienced as “the solar industry’s first ever fully-immersive 3D virtual conference.” The show will now take place via a virtual environment that features keynote talks, panel discussions, exhibitor booths, private meeting rooms, public areas, networking lounges, and other aspects of the traditional conference venue. The virtual environment of the conference is expected to be similar to that of a massive multiplayer online video game, like World of Warcraft. Every exhibitor, speaker, sponsor and attendee will control a digital avatar within a virtual conference venue made up of both indoor and outdoor spaces. Source: Midwest Solar Expo