Sunrise brief: Delaware launches free solar panel program for low-income households
Also on the rise: Aerial inspection of solar plants goes mainstream. Faster, lower-cost interconnection by combining ERCOT, MISO, PJM approaches. CleanCapital acquires BQ Energy. And more!
Faster, lower-cost interconnection by combining ERCOT, MISO, PJM approaches
ERCOT’s approach enables interconnection in 2 to 3 years, whereas recent regional transmission planning by MISO and PJM found cost-saving ways to interconnect 53 GW and 75 GW of renewables respectively, said a Brattle transmission expert.
200 partners to help speed interconnection through US Department of Energy program
Three regional grid operators and two utilities have joined the DOE partnership, alongside renewables developers and trade groups, to pursue faster, simpler, and fairer interconnection of renewables and storage, on both the transmission and distribution grids.
To speed interconnection, consider public control of grid operators, says law professor
To speed interconnection of utility-scale solar and storage, “maybe we want somebody running the show that has more of an interest in getting all these resources in the grid,” said law professor Shelley Welton in a webinar for “100% clean energy states.”
PJM, flooded with interconnection requests, proposes two-year review pause
With a backlog of over 1,200 energy projects, the nation’s largest electrical grid operator is proposing a review process that it claims will better prioritize construction-ready projects, and streamline and speed up interconnection as a whole.
Scout Clean Energy acquires utility-scale solar project in Illinois
The acquisition of the $400m Blue Sky Project follows closely on the heels of Scout’s announced purchase of a 112 MW solar project in Missouri.
Sunverge to develop residential virtual power plant in Maryland
The 0.55 MW/2.2 MWh Elk Neck Battery Storage Pilot Program is intended to demonstrate the utility of distributed energy resources under real-world market conditions.
Competitive Power Ventures acquires 460 MW solar portfolio
Purchased from developer Belltown Power, the two projects are located in Illinois and Kentucky.
RFP alert: AEP unit wants renewable resources and BESS for PJM region
The business unit is seeking renewable energy purchase agreements of up to 15 years for solar, wind, and BESS that begin operation starting in 2022.
Supply chain issues are driving solar prices higher and delaying some projects, LevelTen says
Around 12% of developers who were surveyed said they were delaying projects, and the firm’s price index ticked up 4.3% during the second quarter.
