ESIG calls for adopting standards for transmission-connected renewables, storage
“Too few entities” in the U.S. have adopted a global standard for transmission-connected solar, wind and storage projects that would prevent future large-scale grid disturbance events, says a brief from the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG).
Real-time pricing that balances renewables could save $33 billion per year, study finds
A Pacific Northwest National Laboratory study found that allowing customers to opt for real-time power rates, and shift some consumption to lower-priced periods, would lower customer bills 10% to 17%. A pilot study has shown that real-time pricing works, and more pilots are underway.
Enphase Energy microinverter receives first UL interconnection certification
The Enphase IQ8 Microinverter system certified to the new North American safety and grid interconnection standards for connecting solar inverters, energy storage systems, and distributed energy resources to the grid.
Jigar Shah: Policy action and tech deployments needed for power sector innovation
“We’ve averaged 2.4 cents a kilowatt hour for the last six months for PPAs. That’s actually too low. I think we would be fine at 3.4 cents… I don’t think that solar and wind industries would skip a beat [without their tax incentives], and they have other policy mechanisms.”
PV interconnection requirements may change with new reliability guidance
Interconnection requirements for mid-sized and large inverter-based systems directly connected to the transmission grid may change based on new guidance issued in draft form by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The guidance does not apply to distributed PV.
Young engineers powering the renewables transition
Enthusiasm for solar, wind, and storage is common among electrical engineering students, according to two industry experts, while “advanced” utilities look to hire graduates to integrate renewables and storage.
pvMB 2/1/2019: Tesla CFO replaced, LaFleur to resign at FERC, GameChange hits 4 GW in sales, and more…
In our first pv magazine USA morning brief in February, we also give an update on S5!’s patent infringement case, introduce a new director for GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, and provide you with a pair of technical reports on DER integration/grid modernization to start your day.
