500 GW of solar could interconnect at existing fossil-fired generators
Fossil generators sharing their point of interconnection with renewable generators could be a “mainstream strategy” for integrating solar, wind and storage “at speed and scale,” say four researchers.
Renewable microgrid projects in remote and tribal communities to receive federal support
A federal partnership program will offer financial and technical assistance to remote and tribal communities that are at any stage of microgrid planning or development.
Software upgrade intended to speed interconnection could receive $49 million grant
Software firm GridUnity aims to reduce interconnection times for utility-scale solar by at least a year through its real-time communication platform that brings transparency to interconnection stakeholders. Three grid operators use an early version of the software.
Seven rural co-ops to add 3 GW of renewables and storage and retire coal units
A Colorado-based generation utility will add renewable capacity and retire coal units, while six other rural electric co-ops plan to add 1.75 GW of clean energy capacity under a federal program designed to lower electricity costs.
ESIG calls for adopting standards for transmission-connected renewables, storage
“Too few entities” in the U.S. have adopted a global standard for transmission-connected solar, wind and storage projects that would prevent future large-scale grid disturbance events, says a brief from the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG).
As more buildings use heat pumps, four technologies can provide grid support
Wider use of electric heat pumps to heat buildings creates a larger market for renewable energy, but also presents challenges, which can be met through building insulation and weatherization, cold climate heat pumps, thermal energy storage systems, and higher-voltage distribution grids, a report says.
Tribal fund will support predevelopment costs for 2 GW to 6 GW of solar on tribal lands
A tribal clean energy fund has raised $30 million to fund predevelopment costs for solar projects on tribal lands. Meeting predevelopment milestones will enable tribal communities to apply for federal loan support to complete the projects.
Two utilities share their experience with reconductoring that can enable more solar
While replacing existing transmission lines known as conductors with advanced conductors could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035, some utilities are slow to adopt the technology. Two utilities that have used advanced conductors for years shared their experiences on a webinar.
California utility offers bidirectional EV charging at dynamic hourly rates
Customers of California utility PG&E who own certain models of electric vehicles may enroll in a pilot program for bidirectional EV charging. The program aims to show how improving distribution circuit utilization can keep customer costs down, by reducing the need for distribution upgrades.
Large utilities plan to replace only half their fossil generation by 2035
The Sierra Club, an environmental group with a focus on reducing fossil fuel pollution, has graded 75 utilities on their resource plans through 2035. The average grade was a “D.”
