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.
Tesla releases API for solar, Powerwall, EV charger
The company released an application programming interface to enable third-party developers to interact with Tesla home energy products.
CMBlu Energy’s organic flow batteries to be tested in microgrids, cold climates
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory will carry out demonstration projects to validate long-duration energy storage tech developed by German manufacturer CMBlu Energy. The collaborative project is designed to improve microgrids in cold climates and make fast charging of electric vehicles more affordable in underserved communities.
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.
Homeowners improve solar plus battery payback period with virtual power plants
Virtual power plants (VPP) coordinate home energy resources, dispatching power to the grid at key times of high electricity demand in exchange for compensation.
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.
What happens when the sun doesn’t shine?
Solar power and wind energy depend on intermittent energy sources, and a team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory looked at the frequency and duration of ‘energy droughts’ across the U.S. in order to help grid operators keep the energy flowing.
Sunrise brief: California rooftop solar installations drop 80% following NEM 3.0
Also on the rise: EV adoption can help curb urban air pollution. Battery prices down 14% this year. And more.
Study frames out EV charging network for the western National Park system
Assuming there are nearly 40 million EVs on the road by 2030, researchers suggest the region needs between 2,350 and 4,610 direct current fast charging ports.
Infinite Turbine debuts heat pump turbine for homes, businesses
Infinite Turbine has developed a heat pump turbine for residential and commercial applications, using PV or alternative electricity sources for simultaneous cooling and hydraulic power. The tech can be retrofitted with existing CO2 heat pump systems for air conditioning, hot water, and process heat.
