Sunrise brief: California approves electric microgrid program for vulnerable communities
Also on the rise: Hydro-Québec will work to commercialize hydrogen technology, San Antonio’s electric utility gets a financial safety net, and Silicon Ranch wraps up a 200 MW solar portfolio in Georgia.
Sunrise brief: 6 GW a year of new carbon-free resources? California faces a massive build-out
Also in the rise: Partners will test a large-scale vehicle-to-grid charging system, Canadian Solar funds a startup whose focus is on the rest of the world, Griddy files for Chapter 11 after ERCOT mess, and Daqo signs a supply agreement with a new wafer manufacturer.
Muni utility sues ERCOT as fallout from Texas’ electric power crisis continues
The utility alleged that ERCOT “ran up $20 billion in charges” for five days of energy supply due to its “lack of oversight, preparedness, and failure to follow its own protocols.”
Sunrise brief: Wärtsilä wins order for utility-scale energy storage to support Texas electric grid
Also on the rise: Hawaiian Electric says that developers and suppliers share the blame for its interconnection delays, Redflow will supply a 2 MWh energy storage system for a California microgrid, and FPL files for new base rates and solar project cost recovery.
Tesla unit eyes a battery energy storage system in Texas
The 100 MW battery storage system would provide black start and balancing services for a volatile node within ERCOT.
Sunrise brief: Community solar player Nexamp lines up $440m to fuel its growth
Also on the rise: Texas regulators rebuff a call to roll off $16b in storm-related charges, Enphase Energy supplies microinverters to a senior housing project, and Canadian Solar sells Japanese solar projects.
Sunrise brief: A Texas-sized ‘oops’ for grid operator ERCOT
Also on the rise: Researchers use AI to model how grid failures cascade in a disaster, VEIR raises capital for its novel transmission line technology, NV Energy issues a community solar RFP, Freedom Solar gains two new partners, and Daqo New Energy signs a polysilicon supply deal.
Sunrise brief: Hit with a $1.8 billion bill, a Texas co-op files Chapter 11
Also on the rise: Siemens Energy will assess its hydrogen technology to supply a Utah power plant, and Hyzon Motors will build a plant to bolster the fuel cell supply chain for big trucks.
An energy strategy worthy of Texas
Going it alone with the ERCOT market as currently structured and regulated has been tested and found inadequate, writes a former state utility regulator. “Texas should not waste this crisis.”
The Texas blackout is a man-made disaster of epic proportions
The ERCOT market has served Texans well, producing low energy costs and the nation’s leading market for renewable energy. This same system also failed the state’s residents and businesses spectacularly in a moment of great need.
