Sunrise brief: Earth Day celebrated with $7 billion solar funding announcement
Also on the rise: Soltec launches dual-row, single axis tracker. The role of energy storage systems in the electrification movement.
DOE aims for national collaboration to deploy advanced grid technologies
Advanced conductors and energy storage are among the technologies that have substantial potential to increase transmission capacity, says a Department of Energy “liftoff” report.
Allow solar developers to choose “connect and manage,” says DOE roadmap
To speed interconnection of utility-scale renewables and storage projects, a U.S. Department of Energy roadmap sets forth 35 solutions and proposes actions to implement the solutions. The roadmap was developed through a DOE stakeholder process known as i2X.
West Virginia Governor vetoes bill that would double allowable solar project size
House Bill 5528 would have lifted the limit on utility-scale solar project size from 50 MW to 100 MW.
DOE releases funds to streamline siting and permitting for renewables
The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $22 million in funds under its Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program.
Amazon Web Services helps Duke Energy complete power flow studies in hours, not months
Adding residential solar or commercial-scale electric vehicle chargers on a utility’s distribution feeder may require the utility to conduct power flow calculations. Duke Energy can now complete those studies in hours, an Amazon executive said at a policy forum held by ACORE.
Geothermal heat pumps help decarbonize energy use and more
Mass adoption of geothermal heat pumps can decarbonize buildings, thus reducing grid transmission needs, according to a report conducted by researchers Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Ascent Solar approved to apply for federal funds to finance agrivoltaic project
Ascent Solar’s proposed system utilizes thin film solar cell technology from copper indium gallium diselenide chemistry to provide farmers with energy-producing and resource-saving agrivoltaic systems.
DOE requests input on draft roadmap to fix utility-scale interconnection
The draft roadmap developed through DOE’s i2X stakeholder process details 34 approaches that would help speed interconnection and lower its cost. Last year’s stated goals to reduce interconnection costs and timelines by 50% within five years are not mentioned.
Two milestones achieved in AI-enabled concentrated solar power
The achievements pave the way for deployment of Heliogen’s centrifugal particle receiver in the Capella Project, a collaboration with Woodside Energy.
