Grid connection barriers and solutions for utility-scale renewables
Network upgrade costs for generating projects recently withdrawn from interconnection queues averaged 70% of total interconnection costs, Berkeley Lab researchers found. They proposed solutions for interconnection issues in a paper published in Joule.
OpenADR 3.0 standard can maximize demand flexibility to help integrate renewables
Berkeley Lab’s CalFlexHub says global adoption of an improved communications method can foster a transition from event-based demand response to continuous price-based demand flexibility—increasing demand for renewable power at sunny and windy times.
Half of distribution transformers are approaching end of life
Utilities buying distribution transformers face waiting times and higher prices, as do solar developers needing similar step-up transformers. Distributed solar can extend the useful life of distribution transformers, says an NREL report.
Off-grid solar-plus-storage could power data centers used for training AI models
Firms building datacenters to train artificial intelligence models could power the centers with high-solar microgrids in the southwest U.S., researchers found. The power demand for such datacenters is estimated at 15 GW to 150 GW by 2030.
A novel approach enables comparison of hundreds of generating capacity portfolios
By using a “robust” approach to planning for new renewable and storage capacity to meet future energy demand, stakeholders can identify low-cost portfolios that can be quickly tested against various cost scenarios, said Derek Stenclik of Telos Energy.
DOE seeks experts in renewables siting to advise 13 state collaboratives
To improve renewable energy siting, the U.S. Department of Energy seeks permitting experts to provide technical assistance to state siting collaboratives. DOE expects to fund each collaborative, and to support additional collaboratives in other states.
A Virginia proposal would give the state a role in siting solar and storage over 20 MW
A draft recommendation calls for creating a Virginia advisory board that would regularize permitting of large solar and storage projects, to help guide the state toward meeting its clean energy goals.
Maine will not pursue a distribution system operator to advance distributed resources
The Maine Governor’s Energy Office has invited comments on how the state may best meet its energy system goals, including growth of distributed energy resources. The office is not pursuing a distribution system operator as a means to meet those goals.
A fast interconnection process like that used in Texas is widely supported
Texas is quickly adding solar, wind and storage to its grid by using a relatively simple interconnection process, and now 24 industry participants have expressed support for the use of a similarly streamlined process across the nation.
Up to 25 MW of solar will benefit ordinary customers of Philadelphia-area utility
Citizens groups won an order requiring the utility PECO to secure up to 25 MW of solar power, which will be Pennsylvania’s largest solar procurement serving ordinary customers.
