The New York Public Service Commission approved demand response program rules aimed at giving energy storage resources long-term contracting opportunities. In its September 17 decision, the commission changed proposed dynamic load management (DLM) implementation plans for New York’s six major electric utilities (CASE 18-E-0130). The plans … [Read more...]
New York Regulators Approve Demand Response Change to Spur Storage
September 22, 2020 By Leave a Comment
25 Stakeholders Press California to Move Ahead with Microgrid Tariffs
September 14, 2020 By 7 Comments
Twenty-five parties today urged California regulators to finalize microgrid tariffs by January, underscoring the need to incentivize the technology in a state now characterized by wildfires, blackouts and safety power shutoffs. In a filing submitted by the Microgrid Resources Coalition (MRC), the stakeholders asked the public utilities … [Read more...]
Multi-Customer Microgrids: Rare, Difficult and the Future
September 11, 2020 By 8 Comments
When the switch is flipped on the Redwood Coast Airport Renewable Energy Microgrid, it will become the first multi-customer microgrid in Northern California and one of only a handful active in the US. This inventive project aims to be a model for creating resilient communities, but should it be successful some of its more innovative … [Read more...]
Three Microgrid Applications Yield Resilience, Savings, Environmental Benefits
September 9, 2020 By 1 Comment
Three microgrid applications that use Ageto Energy controllers demonstrate some of the different ways microgrids can provide benefits--ranging from resilience to energy savings to lower diesel use. The microgrids serve a Toyota dealership in Colorado, a low-income housing community in New Orleans and a Native American community in … [Read more...]
California Opens ‘Diesel Alternative” Discussion in Microgrid Proceeding
September 8, 2020 By 6 Comments
California regulators are seeking comment from industry stakeholders on alternatives to diesel generators as part of an ongoing microgrid proceeding (19-09-009). The California Public Utilities Commission seeks comment by September 18. The state’s largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), had originally planned to develop … [Read more...]
Puerto Rico Approves Utility Plan with Microgrid Mandate
September 8, 2020 By 4 Comments
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...]
Engineering Group Sees Increase in Power Outages, Costs
September 4, 2020 By 3 Comments
Power outages — a key driver for microgrids — are becoming more frequent and costly, according to a report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In this decade, there is a $135 billion “investment gap” for generation, $24.4 billion for transmission and $48.8 billion for the distribution system, the ASCE said in its report, … [Read more...]
California Utilities Expect No More than 30% Reduction in Wildfire-related Power Shutoffs
August 20, 2020 By 1 Comment
California’s largest utilities were called before state regulators last week to discuss their plans “to reduce the use, scope, and impact” of public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), the problematic practice of de-energizing power lines to minimize the risk of sparking wildfires. Though their individual territories dictate some customization, … [Read more...]
On Cue, Blackouts Roll Across California after Google and Others Press for More Microgrids
August 18, 2020 By 5 Comments
As if to underscore the point, power blackouts rolled across California late last week right after dozens of stakeholders urged state regulators to push harder to get more microgrids built. Hundreds of thousands of Californians lost power Friday and Saturday night when electric demand exceeded supply because of extreme heat. Utilities imposed … [Read more...]
What Can Regulators and Utilities Do to Boost Solar Nanogrids?
August 17, 2020 By 1 Comment
This portion of a new special report series looks at utility and regulatory changes across the nation that could push solar nanogrids to the forefront of energy innovation. In spite of the many challenges that nanogrids address, their growth is limited by regulatory and utility hurdles that prevent nanogrid owners from realizing their many … [Read more...]
