2026 National Electrical Code changes: PCS and EMS part 1
The 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) introduces a significant shift in electrical design by prioritizing real-time power flow over traditional, often oversized, theoretical worst-case calculations. This evolution centers on the formal distinction between two critical technologies: Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Power Control Systems (PCS), which is explored in part one of this two-part series.
Colorado utility PSCo must offer flexible interconnection for community solar, storage
Flexible interconnection is one of the most impactful, cost-effective tools for enabling distributed energy resource deployment, said a joint filing by the Solar Energy Industries Association and others.
What happens when utilities raise the fixed charge and lower the energy charge?
Shifting utility costs from usage rates to fixed monthly fees may penalize efficiency and fail to provide the financial incentive necessary to drive widespread electrification.
Rural electric co-ops form engineering group to evaluate smart inverter standards
Smart inverters enable more distributed solar to be added to the grid, and some rural co-ops are evaluating smart inverter standards as more co-op members become prosumers.
Solar-plus-storage VPPs must be ‘indistinguishable’ from peakers to win over grid operators, says EnergyHub
A EnergyHub report lays out what it will take for dispatchers to treat VPPs like conventional power plants.
Require a gas unit to add 90 MW of batteries to renew its air permit, group says
When a New Jersey gas unit’s air pollution permit is up for renewal, state law allows the public to recommend ways for the unit to reduce its emissions, such as adding batteries. That’s what one group has done.
Texas electric utility co-op taps networked residential batteries for outage protection
The residential battery program, which deploys Base Power’s 11.4 kW/25 kWh battery systems, is designed to provide affordable, whole-home backup for members of Farmers Electric Cooperative while also delivering grid-balancing services to the wider region.
What to know about ERCOT’s new RTC+B program
Under the real-time co-optimization structure, batteries will be recognized as both generators and loads.
EVs as key players in distributed energy networks and grid modernization
Nuvve’s new outlook report says V2G projects will be the backbone of battery aggregation efforts.
Kudos for grid operator SPP’s plan to link transmission planning and interconnection
The Solar and Storage Industries Institute has endorsed SPP’s proposal to reform interconnection by building transmission, identifying promising areas for transmission interconnection, and inviting interconnection applications.
