Grid operators in California and Texas earn “B” grades, others score poorly
With two million megawatts of generation and storage projects awaiting interconnection studies across the U.S., a report gives grid operators grades for their interconnection processes ranging from B to D-.
Grid operator PJM could add 5.5 GW of renewables with grid-enhancing technologies
Deploying GETs technologies in the PJM grid region would have a 70-to-1 benefit-cost ratio, finds an analysis by Quanta Technology. The nonprofit RMI published the analysis, and aims for it to be replicated to evaluate GETs in interconnection studies.
Groups call on TVA’s board to pursue 100% clean energy
The federally owned utility TVA has not held a public hearing on its resource planning process, so advocacy groups held their own hearing, presenting a plan for TVA to reach 100% clean energy by 2035. Two groups called for TVA’s board to ensure the utility reaches that target.
Puerto Rico distributed solar climbs to 680 MW, residential storage to 1.6 GWh
While distributed solar and storage are advancing quickly in Puerto Rico, utility-scale solar and storage procurements ordered by Puerto Rico regulators in 2020 have made little progress.
Alaskan tribal communities form independent power producers for renewables projects
Alaskan tribal communities are improving the payback on renewables projects by forming independent power producers, thus gaining access to a state subsidy.
Tribes to sponsor 1 to 3 GW of renewables to help retire dams and restore salmon
Four Native American tribes, two states and the U.S. Government have agreed to work together to replace the energy now produced by hydroelectric dams. The U.S. Congress could then vote to breach the dams to restore native fish populations.
Concerns over $77 billion in DOE funds for mostly “blue” hydrogen
Groups raised concerns regarding federally funded hydrogen hubs over emissions, safety, lack of community input and wasted funds, on a Clean Energy Group webinar.
Utility trade groups call for $1.2 billion to boost transformer manufacturing
To cure a shortage of distribution transformers, trade groups representing the utility and housing industries have called for federal funding to boost U.S. manufacturing of the equipment.
DOE seeks input on high-priority areas for transmission
The Department of Energy has begun a process to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, and invites industry input on the first stage of the process by February 2.
DOE to fund “liftoff” of advanced conductors, advanced distribution management
The U.S. Department of Energy will back the two technologies that can help deploy utility-scale and distributed solar, as well as two other technologies that benefit wind power, seeing all four as high-priority technologies ready for rapid scaling.
