Wholesale electricity prices lower and more stable in 2024
Wholesale electricity prices were lower in 2024 than 2023, with less price volatility, as solar and battery energy storage expands, and lower natural gas prices stabilize major markets in the U.S.
Energy Department announces $22.92 billion in loans to upgrade transmission
Utility projects supported by these loans are expected to add much-needed transmission capacity by building new transmission lines, reconductoring existing lines and implementing grid-enhancing technologies that will get more out of existing grid.
Just a fraction of federal land could power carbon-free future
Millions of acres on federal land are suitable for renewable energy, of which less than 5% is needed to be carbon-free by 2035, found National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Boviet Solar manufacturing facility ready to ramp up in North Carolina
The company plans to manufacture both solar modules and cells in its Greenville facility, following a $294 million investment and the establishment its first North American production hub.
Startup offers solar-oriented software for site-specific weather, variability scenarios
Sunairio has launched software that features high-resolution historical climate data and high-resolution future climate models to provide insights into site-specific risks. It recently raised venture capital to expand into new markets for its solar and wind portfolio-oriented software.
U.S. scientists building magnetocaloric heat pump with high system power density
Developed at the U. S. Ames National Laboratory, the novel magnetocaloric heat pump utilizes gadolinium as the working medium and reportedly matches current vapor-compression heat pumps for weight, cost, and performance. The system is based on a packed-particle bed active magnetic regenerator, a magnetic source composed of permanent magnets and high permeability magnetic steel.
ABB recent acquisitions expand reach into renewables
As a global company that specializes in electrification and automation, ABB’s acquisition of Lumin and Gamesa Electric’s inverter and converter segment, expands its repertoire serving the buildout of clean energy technologies.
Texas, the ‘Wild West’ of grid services, lands a new VPA
A new virtual power plant power purchase agreement program offered by Solrite and Sonnen may reinforce the Texas power grid and provide back-up renewable power at no additional cost to enrolled homeowners.
Sunrise brief: New entrant in U.S. solar cell manufacturing secures multi-year, multi-GW contract
Also on the rise: Five solar businesses added to forced labor list, banned from U.S. entry. BLM seeks public’s input for 700 MW solar, energy storage center in Arizona. And more.
Utility-scale solar developer Origis Energy secures $1 billion investment
Brookfield Asset Management and Antin Infrastructure partners made commitments that could exceed $1 billion in aggregate.
