Power Electronic Grid Interface streamlines the transition to a more modern grid
The PEGI platform, under development at NREL, shows promise for controlling and deploying upcoming power electronic devices on the grid of the future by submitting new concepts and technologies to the rigor of real-world operations.
Ultracapacitor sonar seeking a 100% solar and wind grid
Reactive Technologies uses an ultracapacitor to send signals into the grid that help managers determine the level of system inertia, supporting power grid stability, and they’re coming to the United States.
MIT, NREL researchers develop 40%-efficient thermophotovoltaic cell for grid-scale thermal batteries
The device is described as a heat engine with no moving parts that is able to produce power from a heat source of between 1,900 to 2,400 C. This concept is known as thermal energy grid storage (TEGS) and consists of a low-cost, grid-scale storage technology that uses thermophotovoltaic cells to convert heat to electricity above 2,000 C.
Utility scale solar inverters need improved commissioning and upkeep
Recurring power grid faults are testing solar inverter reactions, and have exposed issues that could seemingly be solved by improvements to commissioning, operations, and maintenance.
FERC takes major step toward transmission reform
The decision has been lauded as one that could lead to much-needed upgrades to the nation’s electrical grids, updates that would enable higher penetrations of renewable resources.
Department of Energy looks to integrate Vehicle-to-Everything bi-directional charging into US infrastructure
The US DOE released a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to bring together parties to advance bi-directional charging with cybersecurity as a core component.
Sunrise brief: Two surveys on fallout from anti-circumvention investigation show a hard road ahead for US solar industry
Also on the rise: Broad Reach Power procures 900 MWh of battery systems from CATL for solar portfolio in Texas. Job moves at Maxeon Solar Technologies, PowerMarket, Ulteig and more. Sunrun says better policy is needed to add “vast” amounts of distributed solar and storage. Ohio regulators to review two massive renewable energy project proposals. California utility SDG&E sees utility scale solar growing greater than 10X by 2045. New JM Steel manufacturing plant will have a Nextracker tracker production line.
Sunrise brief: Statevolt shares plans to build $4 billion EV battery gigafactory with 54 GWh output in southern California
Also on the rise: SunStyle brings its solar shingles to the US market. Urban Electric Power unveils 1 MWh battery system at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. Solar Superstar cities set the pace for solar development in the US. 2nd grader, Neil, gets a response to his letter to John Fitzgerald Weaver. Canadian university to be equipped with a stealthy solar façade/microgrid.
Solar Superstar cities set the pace for solar development in the US
Of the 56 cities surveyed in all eight editions of the Shining Cities report, 15 recorded a tenfold increase in their solar capacity between 2014 and 2022, yet there is still much untapped potential.
Neil – a second grader from Minnesota – is concerned about solar panel recycling
While Neil’s concerns are warranted, there are reasons to be hopeful that we will be able to responsibly and profitably manage solar panel recycling as the volumes scale.
