Kentucky has 558 ideal sites for nanogrids and a dozen potential sites for regional community microgrids, according to a state study that aims to spur microgrid development at critical facilities in response to the growing threat of power outages. The Kentucky Regional Microgrids for Resilience Study was designed to help utilities, local and state … [Read more...]
Puerto Rico Issues Final Microgrid Rules as Hurricane Season Looms
Puerto Rico regulators on Friday issued final microgrid rules to help boost development, as the island continues to struggle to recover from last September’s island-wide power outage following Hurricane Maria. The rules (CEPR-MI-2018-0001) arrived in a speedier fashion than the norm for energy regulation, with just five months between draft and … [Read more...]
For Utilities, Electric Vehicles are the New Air Conditioners
Electric vehicles are quickly becoming one of the largest flexible loads on the grid in some areas, and the growth parallels the increase in numbers of air conditioners years ago, says a new study from the Smart Electric Power Alliance. However, the popularity of electric vehicles poses problems for utilities, which are finding that time-of-use … [Read more...]
Who Pushes Community Solar Now? Utilities!
The number of community solar projects has jumped by 64 percent in just the last 18 months, says a new study by the Solar Electric Power Association. And leading the charge are, believe it or not, utilities. Utilities have or are developing 87 percent of all community solar programs now online, 60 percent of active and planned community solar … [Read more...]