Arizona regulators rebuff utilities, order turn from gas to renewables
As an historic first, the Arizona Corporation Commission has voted not to acknowledge the gas-heavy energy resource plans of utilities, and is pushing instead an aggressive clean energy plan by one of its members.
Pilot project for flywheel storage underway in Hawaii
Utility Hawaiian Electric has announced the start of operations of a pilot project featuring flywheel energy storage technology provided by Amber Kinetics. The project will test the technology’s capability of supporting the grid and allowing further integration of renewable generation.
Solar to help Texas meet this summer’s peak demand
The state is expecting nearly 400 MW of additional utility-scale solar by this summer, as the most significant source of new generation to help it meet summer peak capacity needs.
12 hours of energy storage enough for U.S. to run on 80% solar+wind
Scientists in California have modeled a solar-heavy/wind power electricity grid, without nationwide HVDC, that could reliably deliver 80% of U.S. electricity needs. 100% of needs would require 3 weeks of energy storage.
California regulators emphasize solar, batteries in utility planning framework
CPUC’s guidance calls for an additional 9 GW of solar and 2 GW of battery storage as the standard against which to compare utility and CCA Integrated Resource plans, and says that new fossil fuel plants must prove a need.
Texas, California among regions pushing the boundaries of renewables integration
Latest report by IEEFA showcases nine case studies among the world’s leading states by wind and solar market share, which can help up as an example for other countries on their energy transition pathways.
California sets rules for multiple uses of energy storage
A ruling by CPUC opens the door for “stacking” the services that batteries and other forms of energy storage can provide.
SEIA attempts to get ahead of locational value
A new white paper by the solar trade group proposed principles to guide the compensation for locational value of energy.
Seasonal patterns show a need for more solar in the U.S. electricity mix
An abundance of hydroelectric power and wind is pushing up renewable energy in the spring months, but there is a need for more power during the summer peak, as well as issues with the geographic location of resources.
California regulators choose clean energy and storage over existing gas plants
CPUC has turned down a request by Calpine for lucrative contracts for three gas plants and ordered PG&E to hold a solicitation for energy storage and/or “preferred resources” instead.
