Blog
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Grid enhancing technologies find a place in FERC’s ANOPR on transmission planning
In the recently announced ANOPR on transmission planning, cost allocation, and generator interconnection reform process, FERC is seeking comments on whether it should require transmission providers to consider grid enhancing technologies in generator interconnection studies to interconnect renewable projects. FERC is also seeking comments from transmission providers who have already implemented and have experience with…
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SUN DAY says data show renewables could meet 33% of need by 2030…and maybe more
Last week, Ken Bossong of the SUN DAY campaign said that data released over the past decade by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as near-term forecasts by both agencies suggest continued strong growth by renewable energy sources. However, unless accelerated, that growth will fall short…
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New Mexico’s community solar program
Originally published at ILSR.org Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Energy Transition Act (SB 489) in 2019, which introduced the idea of a community solar program, and also mandated that New Mexico move to 50% renewable energy by 2030. However, New Mexico’s community solar program was truly born in 2021, when the Community Solar Act…
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Is someone you know changing the world? Nominate them for the constellation prize
The Constellation Prize was new to me (and most everyone) in 2020 when I got word of the nomination for some work that I had been involved in with the New York State Capitol, also known as the “Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza” in Albany. When I found out about the nomination of…
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The UK’s ‘Green Jobs Taskforce’ outlines plan to boost Britain’s green economy
Public support for clean energy is growing at a pace of knots and most governments now also view climate change as a non-negotiable priority to tackle. Additionally, the business case for transitioning to a low carbon economy is now better understood and stacks up as a means of future-proofing any country from energy deficits or…
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Solar and battery-powered mini-grids to bring electricity to 55,000 people in Nigeria for the first time
PowerGen, a developer of on- and off-grid distributed energy said this week that it has secured long term project financing to connect 55,000 people to electricity in rural Nigeria from CrossBoundary Energy Access with construction financing provided by Oikocredit, Triodos Investment Management (Triodos IM) and EDFI ElectriFI (the EU-funded Electrification Financing Initiative). The project is…
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Energy Storage, Clean Power associations planning merger to strengthen U.S. renewable energy unity
The U.S. Energy Storage Association intends to merge with the American Clean Power Association in a move to spearhead transformative growth for renewable energies. The merger would unify groups representing wind, solar, storage and transmission companies within the membership. “Our Board sees the merger with ACP as a powerful new chapter for our industry and…
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Natel Energy announces $20 million funding to further deploy Restoration Hydro Turbine
Natel Energy announced a $20 million funding round, led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) and supported by Chevron Technology Ventures, to build momentum in deploying its flagship product, the Restoration Hydro Turbine (RHT). “As more solar and wind power solutions are deployed, the role of hydropower will become increasingly important due to its inherent reliability,…
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California is planning floating wind farms offshore to boost its power supply – here’s how they work
Matthew Lackner, University of Massachusetts Amherst Northern California has some of the strongest offshore winds in the U.S., with immense potential to produce clean energy. But it has a problem. Its continental shelf drops off quickly, making building traditional wind turbines directly on the seafloor costly if not impossible. Once water gets more than about…
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Sandia explores molten salt batteries for grid-scale energy storage
New molten sodium batteries operate at lower temperatures using low- cost materials Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have designed a new class of molten sodium batteries for grid-scale energy storage. The new battery design was shared in a paper published today in the scientific journal Cell Reports Physical Science. Molten sodium batteries have been used for many…