Utilities and agencies must come together to build a more reliable, weather-resistant grid
As the heavy majority of the U.S. energy grid approaches the end of its lifecycle, the time is now for a public-private task force to develop a comprehensive strategy to harden the grid and enable technologies that maximize the benefit of targeted investment in the most vulnerable areas.
Moving energy via batteries on railways
SunTrain is hoping to ship renewable energy via battery-powered trains, charged from solar and wind, using rail networks.
Patents to add AI to power grids are surging, says IEA
New patents to integrate artificial intelligence into global grids have grown sixfold over the past few years, with China driving overall innovation momentum. The European Patent Office, co-authors of the report, called for Europe to renew its efforts.
Shift to 2 kV voltage in solar projects tipped to gain traction
Amid record-low prices for solar modules, the focus of cost reduction for utility-scale solar projects is shifting to non-module balance-of-system (BoS) expenses. A transition from 1.5 kV voltage to 2 kV in solar projects is expected to gain traction through 2030.
Flexible interconnection can generate 176% more revenue for community solar, report finds
A report by the Solar and Storage Industries Institute shows that flexible interconnection, which adjusts solar output based on grid conditions, can offer significant economic benefit to community solar developers.
The use of AI in hydropower plants is creating new challenges
Hydropower has long been used to stabilize the rid and store energy to compensate for the fluctuations of solar and wind power. Its use of artificial intelligence is helping cope with new demands but making it more sensitive to cyber attacks.
New research finds utility-scale solar facilities foster biodiversity
A series of longitudinal studies of three solar-pollinator sites in Minnesota have demonstrated evidence of native prairie growing under solar panels, providing both soil benefits and habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
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.
Massachusetts House passes climate bill, setting example for other states to follow
The Massachusetts bill includes siting reform, which will help speed the buildout of solar and other clean energy technologies.
Sunrise brief: Solar stocks plummet, market is “wildly emotional” about Trump
Also on the rise: 500 GW of solar could interconnect at existing fossil-fired generators. The great untapped potential of virtual power plants
global installed PV capacity tops 2 TW. And more.
