California continues blazing a trail in the US energy transition under two decisions last week, one that requires utilities to buy 11,500 MW of emissions-free power supply and a second that launches a new regulatory proceeding focused on preparing the grid for proliferating distributed energy resources (DERs), including electric vehicles. More … [Read more...]
Climate Action Is Needed Now – Microgrid Solutions Are Leading the (Green) Way
June 8, 2021 By
Gregg Morasca of Schneider Electric explores how organizations in the western United States are addressing climate change by undertaking the necessary and urgent introduction of microgrid solutions. The last year has brought a sense of reevaluation to the world, with both individuals as well as businesses pausing to take stock of what is … [Read more...]
California’s First-of-a-Kind Microgrid for Wastewater Treatment
March 23, 2021 By
Mike Byrnes, senior vice president of Veolia North America and CEO of SourceOne, Veolia's energy consulting company, discusses an innovative California microgrid project bringing energy independence, greater resiliency and efficiency for Rialto’s wastewater treatment plant. Growing numbers of climate change-linked natural disasters, such as … [Read more...]
Bracing for Multiple-Day Outages, Another California City Advances Microgrid Project
November 3, 2020 By
Another California community is moving ahead with a microgrid project, this one the city of Camarillo, which plans microgrids at five key city facilities in a move aimed at bolstering reliability while lowering electricity costs. Four of the projects include backup diesel generators coupled with solar and battery storage. One project … [Read more...]
Cost Savings Drives Decision to Install Microgrid at California Wastewater Treatment Plant
March 13, 2020 By
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...]
CPUC Should Adopt an Ambitious 2030 Carbon Emissions Target
January 27, 2020 By
A California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) proposal may not be the most efficient way for the state to attain a zero-carbon electric sector by 2045, which is required by state law. Mohit Chhabra and Sergio Sanchez Lopez of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) explain. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) should set … [Read more...]
California’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs: The Implications for Microgrids
December 2, 2019 By
In this Q&A with Microgrid Knowledge, Bob Georgeoff, vice president of Ameresco, explains the implications for microgrids of recent public safety power shutoffs in California. Microgrid Knowledge: What role can microgrids play when there is a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in California? Bob Georgeoff: Microgrids play a critical … [Read more...]
Sea Shield Signs Contract with DR Microgrid for Advanced Microgrid Project in California
May 14, 2019 By
California’s Sea Shield Marine, creator of anodes for divers and sea craft, expects to see its energy bills drop dramatically in the near future. That’s due to an advanced microgrid it is building in partnership with DR Microgrid. Sea Shield signed a contract in April with DR Microgrid for a project that will include advanced solar, combined … [Read more...]
Behind-the-Meter Solar PV, Energy Storage Set to Shift Calif. Time-of-Use Rates
December 12, 2018 By
In California, it can get expensive and complex for utilities to deliver electricity when demand is high. To help mediate these costs, California's utilities offer time-of-use (TOU) rates, prices for power based on demand trends on the grid. A new white paper from Enel X explores how behind-the-meter solar PV and energy storage are aligning to … [Read more...]
Microgrid Growth: How Far, How Fast Since Superstorm Sandy?
November 3, 2014 By
When massive storms hit, we get religion. Superstorm Sandy was that kind of storm. States along the US East Coast emerged from the wreckage two years ago this week with a new devotion to creating a more resilient electric system. Where the central grid failed, microgrids kept the lights on. So government leaders, businesses, and even some … [Read more...]
