The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) continued to craft microgrid policy in 2021 with several decisions of significance. Toward the end of the year, the commission approved San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) plan to build four microgrid projects with storage at substations in its service territory (D.21-12-004). The … [Read more...]
Anticipating Triple Digit DER Growth, California Launches New Action Plan
August 6, 2021 By
In a move that could affect microgrids, the California Public Utilities Commission is developing a sweeping DER Action Plan aimed at revamping policies, programs and incentives. The commission in 2016 approved its first DER Action Plan, which served as a five-year roadmap for coordinating activities across commission proceedings aimed at … [Read more...]
California Opens ‘Diesel Alternative” Discussion in Microgrid Proceeding
September 8, 2020 By
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...]
California Regulators Approve Changes to Support Microgrids as State Braces for Wildfire Season
June 11, 2020 By
Microgrids are getting a boost in California with an eye toward accelerating deployments in advance of the 2020 wildfire season thanks to actions voted on today by the California Public Utilities Commission. The commission ordered a number of short-term modifications that large investor-owned utilities must implement immediately: Accelerate … [Read more...]
Microgrid Industry to California: Help Us Help You
November 7, 2019 By
We can move faster installing microgrids, but you need to make some changes. That’s the overarching message from microgrid companies to California regulators as the state faces utility power shutoffs for years to come. The recommendations are pouring into the California Public Utilities Commission as it attempts to translate into regulation … [Read more...]
With California’s Wildfire Season Coming, San Diego Microgrids Face Two-Year Delay
May 31, 2019 By
As California’s wildfire season approaches, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) faces regulatory delays of up to two years for 100 MW of proposed storage-backed microgrids that aim to provide resiliency, especially to protect essential community services. “As a utility company, our mandate and charge is to provide safe and reliable … [Read more...]
California Regulators Redirect Electric Transportation Strategy; Stakeholders Protest
December 18, 2018 By
The California Public Utilities Commission late last week terminated its docket on transportation electrification and opened a new one to create a more coordinated strategy for electric vehicles and their integration into the electric grid. The order, particularly in its draft form, attracted opposition from industry stakeholders, who filed … [Read more...]
California Lawmakers Approve Bill to Bolster Microgrid Development, End Lengthy Wait
September 5, 2018 By
California lawmakers gave a final okay late last week to a microgrid bill (SB 1339), designed to boost microgrid development and streamline what at times is a lengthy wait to interconnect projects. The Assembly approved the legislation in a 54-19 vote during the waning hours of the legislative session August 31. The Senate had passed the … [Read more...]
California Seeks Way to Get Energy Choice Right This Time
August 14, 2018 By
Given its influence, it’s never a pretty sight when California goes astray on energy policy. The energy crisis of 2000-01 still looms large. Its rolling blackouts and skyrocketing costs impaired America’s then nascent customer choice movement. But fast forward nearly two decades and customer choice is reborn -- although not in the way the … [Read more...]
Good News for Microgrids from California Climate Bills
September 1, 2016 By
California's passage of two aggressive climate bills offers good news for microgrids, since they can act as levers to help the state reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Once again, the state has led the climate change battle, this time with last week's passage by the state legislature of the two bills, SB 32 and AB 197. The bills aim to reduce … [Read more...]
