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...]
How Well does the Energy Industry Serve People of Color?
August 7, 2020 By
The energy industy (both fossil and renewable) is failing to provide benefits to people of color, and in many instances undermining the health of this community. That was one of the messages from a group of medical, energy and poverty experts who spoke at Race and Energy, a webinar presented this week by Pecan Street, a data research and … [Read more...]
Scrutiny Begins of New Energy Resource Plan Issued by Puerto Rico’s Utility
June 11, 2019 By
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) issued a revised integrated resource plan (IRP) late last week in the latest move to redesign the island’s grid to avoid a repeat of the massive power outages brought by Hurricane Maria. Like its earlier version, the new plan segments the island into eight minigrids but incorporates more … [Read more...]
Reverse Auctions May Become the Key to Energy Storage Rollout, EDF says
April 25, 2019 By
When Xcel Energy conducted a reverse auction in 2018 to help build out its energy storage systems, it received hundreds of bids. It’s all about integrating energy storage into its wind and solar energy networks to increase reliability. In a traditional auction, the seller does business with the highest bidder. But in a reverse auction, the … [Read more...]
Agreement with Illinois’ Largest Utility Could Jump-Start Private Microgrids
April 19, 2018 By
In this edition of Industry Perspectives, Christie Hicks, of the Environmental Defense Fund, sheds light on a new a new agreement with Illinois’ largest utility, ComEd, that may pave the way for private microgrids to use utility wires. Imagine you and your neighbors have solar panels on your roofs. You want to create a mini-power grid so … [Read more...]
