Energy Department announces $22.92 billion in loans to upgrade transmission
Utility projects supported by these loans are expected to add much-needed transmission capacity by building new transmission lines, reconductoring existing lines and implementing grid-enhancing technologies that will get more out of existing grid.
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.
Sunrise brief: U.S. distributed generation solar panel prices decline on oversupply
Also on the rise: Sunrun fined for worker rooftop safety violation. DC Grid debuts off-grid DC solutions to address growing power demand. And more.
PG&E granted loan guarantee of $15 billion from DOE
PG&E believes that investing in infrastructure will help it supply the forecasted load growth, increase electric reliability and reduce costs for its consumers across California.
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.
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.
