After two years of debate and planning, Puerto Rico finally appears positioned to re-create its electric grid with microgrids and renewable energy, mandated in a new utility integrated resource plan (IRP). The mandate came from the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, the island’s chief energy regulator, in late August. Utility IRPs are guiding … [Read more...]
Pepco Considers Non-Wires Alternatives, Issues RFI
August 17, 2020 By 6 Comments
Pepco is seeking information on possible non-wires alternatives, such as distributed energy resources, to meet a looming constraint on its distribution system in Washington, DC. The request for information (RFI) grew out of the PowerPath DC grid modernization effort launched by the district’s utility commission in January. PowerPath DC … [Read more...]
Maryland Announces Funding for 14 Microgrid Projects
June 11, 2020 By 1 Comment
Maryland yesterday announced winners in its resilience solicitation, 14 facilities that speak to the range of operations now pursuing microgrid projects — from marginalized neighborhoods to food production operations to a marine terminal. The winners will divvy up $1.05 million provided by the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) Resilient … [Read more...]
California PUC Urged to Order Clean Energy Solicitation to Reduce Wildfire Outages
May 28, 2020 By 1 Comment
The California Public Utilities Commission should require Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to issue a clean energy solicitation this summer to reduce the effects of wildfire-related power shutoffs, according to Tesla and other stakeholders who are participating in a state microgrid proceeding. The call for the solicitation is in … [Read more...]
San Diego Port District Seeks Bids for Microgrid
May 10, 2020 By 4 Comments
The San Diego port district is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide microgrid infrastructure at its Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. The microgrid is being funded with a $4.9 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and $4.4 million in matching funds. The San Diego Unified Port District is building the project to … [Read more...]
Pacific Gas & Electric Temporarily Suspends Microgrid Solicitation
March 25, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) says it has temporarily suspended — but not canceled — a request for offers (RFO) issued in December for 20 microgrid projects. The decision came after various stakeholders expressed concern about the California utility's aggressive deadline to get the microgrids built in 2020. PG&E had hoped the … [Read more...]
SCE Delays Pilot Microgrids after Tight Schedule Drives up Costs
March 17, 2020 By 1 Comment
Saying a tight schedule is driving up costs, Southern California Edison (SCE) yesterday canceled plans for pilot microgrids in 2020 and instead will re-seek them for 2021 and 2022. The utility spelled out its new microgrid plan in a filing with California Public Utilities Commission (R.19-09-009 ). The postponement came in response to … [Read more...]
Cost Savings Drives Decision to Install Microgrid at California Wastewater Treatment Plant
March 13, 2020 By 2 Comments
The McKinleyville Community Services District in northern California has selected Ameresco to build a $2 million microgrid at a wastewater treatment plant. While California has seen a wave of microgrid projects in response to wildfire-related power outages, the McKinleyville project is driven by a desire to cut electricity costs. The … [Read more...]
Helsinki Offers $1.1M for Way to Provide Non-Fossil, Non-Biomass Urban Heating
February 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Helsinki, Finland has launched a $1.1 million global competition to identify the future of urban heating, one that uses neither fossil fuels nor biomass-fired technology. The city hopes to find a solution that can be put in place by 2029, helping to decarbonize Helsinki and possibly serving as a model for other cities worldwide. To that … [Read more...]
Maryland Agency Offers Grants for Microgrid, DG Planning
February 27, 2020 By Leave a Comment
The Maryland Energy Administration has launched a pilot grant program to help municipalities and other organizations plan microgrid and distributed energy projects. “MEA recognizes that the costs incurred in designing successful projects can be significant, and also that well-engineered and analyzed plans lead to shovel-ready designs which … [Read more...]
