Grids & Integration

As a leader in the global energy transition, California is putting some of the highest levels of solar and wind on its grid in the world to date. And while the state’s grid operator has made some progress, the integration of these resources is currently limited not by physics, but by market rules and operational practices.

Green Mountain Power suggests 500 distributed Tesla Powerwalls plus two larger energy storage facilities have saved its customers $500,000 this summer during peak demand hours.

PG&E has filed an interim report on customer-sited behind-the-meter smart inverters. The utility sees strong potential benefit for the grid with this technology, but says more standardization and reliable communication protocols must be established before a broad roll-out can occur.

Utility regulator Andy Tobin of the Arizona Corporation Commission has filed a docket to explore the potential role of blockchain technology on the power grid, suggesting that we are entering an age of energy technology convergence.

The state’s latest report shows that it has beat its 2020 target for emissions reductions four years early, mostly thanks to more renewable energy.

Solar inverters are turning into the quarterback to the solar modules as wide receivers. And with the need to deliver energy services, talk with the broader power grid, protect first responders and more – the inverter playbook is expanding.

New research revealed at the Intersolar North America conference suggests that the Eastern United States and other temperate regions can integrate more renewable energy than previously expected, with less gas backup. But the real key to the energy transition may be the participation of other power sectors.

HVDC’s main challenge is the price, which can cost between $1.17-8.6 million per mile, along with scaling the technology in the United States.

Data released by the California Energy Commission shows wind as the largest source of electricity imported in 2017, and that even with imports the state’s mix is getting cleaner.

In this op-ed for pv magazine, Will Driscoll examines the findings of a NERC report which show that the reliability factor known as frequency response—once seen as potentially challenged by added solar and wind power—is improving.