Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) sees more opportunity for community microgrids in its service territory with the approval last month by California regulators of an update to a utility tariff. The California Public Utilities Commission expanded where microgrids that are connected to the utility’s electric distribution system can be … [Read more...]
PG&E Sees Rise in Utility-Led Community Microgrids with Tariff Change
November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Where’s the Resilience? California’s Climate Strategy Found Lacking
November 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment
The current draft of the California Climate Adaptation Strategy fails to mention power outages and doesn’t suggest distributed energy resources (DER) and microgrids as resilience measures, say several stakeholders. The draft aims to accelerate climate adaptation movement in the state and identify how state agency measures can fit together to … [Read more...]
What Can We Learn from Indigenous Communities about Microgrids?
November 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment
In Canada, indigenous community members, developers and utilities work together to maximize the potential of microgrids to combat climate change, with indigenous communities often owning a share in the projects. The US government, policymakers and the microgrid industry could model this approach to fight climate change and strike … [Read more...]
US House Passes Microgrid Tax Credit. All Eyes on the Senate
November 19, 2021 By 3 Comments
The microgrid tax credit cleared the US House of Representatives in a Friday morning vote approving President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376). The 30% tax credit would apply to microgrid controllers for projects that begin construction before Jan. 1, 2027. It is part of a roughly $2 trillion plan that provides an array of … [Read more...]
New Studies Point to Microgrids as ‘Once in a Generation Solution’
November 17, 2021 By
More microgrids mean more jobs. Americans across the political divide increasingly favor microgrids. And the technology opens a pathway for policymakers to implement an all-in-one climate solution. Those are the messages from three reports released in unison today that together make a case for government action to support microgrids, … [Read more...]
What? Only Utility Microgrids?
November 16, 2021 By
Several parties are questioning why only utilities made the cut to build microgrids in a key recommendation before California regulators on how to meet the state’s capacity shortfall. At issue is a proposed decision by an administrative law judge scheduled to come before the California Public Utilities Commission Dec. 2. The judge last month … [Read more...]
Trends Creating Tail Winds for the Microgrid Industry
November 12, 2021 By
“All winds are blowing in the direction of microgrids,” said Annette Clayton, CEO of Schneider North America in an interview with Microgrid Knowledge this week. The interview followed Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit North America 2021, a Nov. 10 teleconference that focused on energy resilience and sustainability. Speakers identified … [Read more...]
Renewable Fuels as a Low Carbon Solution for Resiliency Needs
In an effort to meet their net zero emissions goals, many companies and large energy users are working to develop new carbon reduction strategies. This is driving demand for diversified clean energy fuel sources such as renewable diesel and other renewable fuels. So how do you navigate the transition from traditional fuel sources to a new paradigm … [Read more...]
What the US Infrastructure Deal Does for Microgrids
November 9, 2021 By
Last week’s passage of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill by the US House of Representatives paves the way for a range of new funding opportunities for microgrids. Pushed by President Biden, and already approved by the Senate in August, H.R. 3684 is now cleared to become law after a 228-206 vote Friday night by the House. UPDATE! President … [Read more...]
Nigerian Rollout of Multiple Microgrids Shows Opportunity for Scale
November 8, 2021 By
Six new microgrids have been developed simultaneously in Nigeria as part of a rural electrification program backed by the World Bank. The projects show the considerable possibilities available from the scaling up of microgrid rollout programs. Located in Nasarawa State, the solar hybrid microgrid projects will provide clean, reliable and … [Read more...]
