NetZero Insider has been devoting a lot of coverage to East Coast offshore wind development because that is where the wheels are turning for the young industry — and where the wheels are falling off.
As John Cropley reports:
Ørsted canceled its offtake agreement with Maryland for the planned 966 MW Skipjack Wind project, saying the financial terms were no longer profitable, due to inflation and interest rate increases. But the project is not dead, and it could be rebid into future solicitations.
A reset has begun in New York, where the contracted offshore wind pipeline has dropped from 4,362 MW to 132 MW in the past month. New offshore proposals totaling 4 GW are in advanced negotiations, with final contract decisions expected this quarter, and three bids totaling 3 GW were submitted late last month in the latest solicitation.
Two federal agencies central to offshore wind development regulation have finalized a strategy to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale — whose favored habitat overlaps many of the Northeast wind energy lease areas, particularly off the New England coast.
Our Ayla Burnett weighs in from the Left Coast with a report on California’s draft plan for offshore wind development. California’s offshore wind target is the most ambitious of any state’s so far and yet the most distant, because it relies on floating turbine technology still in development. The Golden State hopes to deploy 25 GW, but not until 2045.
Back on land, Hugh Morley reports on New Jersey’s public transit agency abandoning a long-running plan to build a gas-fired emergency generator for its electric commuter rail system, which had come under criticism from environmentalists.
And James Downing has a story on a National Bureau of Economic Research study that put numbers on a commonly cited barrier to grid expansion — greater capacity means greater competition and potential losses for existing generation operators.
Our curation includes additional news about other instances of conflict:
The New Yorker has a piece on farmers opposing the Grain Belt Express transmission line.
Oil and Gas Daily reports on efforts by Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy (R) to counter President Biden’s “hostility” toward the LNG industry.
Energy News Network explains why advocates worry a hydrogen hub will fuel environmental injustice in Indiana.
The Cape Cod Times looks at why some locals are worried about offshore wind power development.
Click through the Intelligence Report below for the rest of last week’s news on the decarbonization of generation resources:
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Iowa
Summit Carbon Solutions has reached an agreement to nearly double the number of ethanol facilities that will connect to its proposed carbon dioxide pipeline system in Iowa, the company announced Jan. 29. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Mississippi
A key component in Amazon Web Services' commitment to spend $10 billion to construct two "hyperscale data centers" in Madison County is an agreement with Entergy to provide the large volume of electricity that such an endeavor will require. Officials said the project -- which will include building solar power fields -- will not increase rates for other Entergy customers, and could lower them. Mississippi Today
U.S.
Upgrading the grid can be lengthy, expensive and complex. For utilities, flexible interconnection can help bring down costs by optimizing existing grid infrastructure and deferring costly grid upgrades. Closing the gap between what the grid can accommodate and the scale of the energy resources that can be connected will benefit both utilities and customers. Environmental Defense Fund
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Minnesota
Some groups aired worries about how a project to convert livestock waste might supercharge a divide between small or medium-size farms and the state's largest dairies. Star Tribune
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Indiana
EPA last week issued permits allowing a West Terre Haute-based company to construct two underground wells for carbon sequestration. EPA has approved just two such Class VI permits: to Archer Daniels Midland operating in Macon County, Illinois, and Indiana's Wabash Valley Resources. It's a victory seven years in the making. Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana
The
U.S. EPA has issued permits for the state's first two "wells" that will be used to store carbon dioxide underground as part of the capture-and-sequestration technology being pitched as a way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb the effects of climate change. IndyStar
International
Researchers at the University of Surrey used artificial intelligence to adjust a system based on a real coal-fired power station and capture 16.7% more carbon dioxide (CO2) while using 36.3% less energy from the UK National Grid. Mining.com
International
Norway's energy minister has
emphasised the country's world-leading credentials and ambitions for the offshore capture and storage of carbon dioxide, while on the same day it was revealed the nation's massive oil fund made a record annual return in 2023. Upstream
Louisiana
State and industry officials are bullish on the prospect of Louisiana becoming a national leader in the practice of carbon capture and sequestration, basically capturing carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to atmospheric warming and injecting it deep into the ground. NOLA.com
Louisiana
An LSU-led collective of more than 50 entities statewide has won the National Science Foundation's largest competitive grant -- up to $160 million over the next decade to imagine and build a new energy industry. WBRZ 2
New Jersey
The New Jersey Senate made a
significant legislative move on January 29 by introducing a pioneering bill aimed at establishing a Low-Carbon Transportation Fuel Standard (LCTFS). ChemAnalyst.news
North Dakota
Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann said Jan. 26 he believes state regulations for pipelines supersede county ordinances, an opinion that is a blow to carbon pipeline opponents. No vote was taken during a PSC work session, but the two other members of the commission indicated they agree with Christmann. A vote will be taken at a future meeting. North Dakota Monitor
Ohio
The Biden administration is considering a rule change to allow carbon dioxide from air or industrial processes to be captured and stored in national parks. The Athens Messenger
Oregon
The Oregon Climate Action Commission approved $10 million in investments with the goal to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions. The broader goal is to incentivize practices that capture and store carbon in the state's natural and working lands. Jefferson Public Radio
South Dakota
[Video] KTIV 4
South Dakota
An ethanol production company headquartered in Sioux Falls announced Monday it will partner with the remaining company looking to build a carbon capture pipeline in South Dakota. South Dakota Searchlight
U.S.
Both
companies agree to collaborate on three major CO2 removal projects in a critical step toward developing direct air capture hubs in the U.S. capable of capturing megatons of CO2. Business Newswire
U.S.
The Office of Fossil
Energy and Carbon Management at the Department of Energy has issued a request for information concerning U.S. government efforts to achieve a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. ExecutiveGov
Wyoming
As with all technology, the more CO2 capture units are built, the more the cost will come down. No one has more to gain than Wyoming and its energy communities with the successful widespread deployment of this technology. While WyoFile continues to press the cost of carbon capture, we should ask our coal communities, can we afford not to? Randall Luthi, chief energy adviser for Gov. Mark Gordon, poses that question. WyoFile
Wyoming
The stimulus is intended to 'equalize' a federal tax incentive that rewards permanent CO2 storage over carbon dioxide used to produce oil. WyoFile
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U.S.
Transportation costs increased across all three modes (railroad, waterway, and truck) and across almost all regional and state routes. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
As domestic consumption of U.S. coal declines in the near term, we expect exports to account for a larger share of total U.S. coal consumption, according to our recently released Short-Term Energy Outlook. We expect U.S. coal consumption will total 482 million short tons in 2024, 29% less than in 2019. We expect that exports will make up 19% of total demand in 2024 and 21% in 2025, up from a share of 14% in 2019 because of decreasing domestic consumption, especially from the electric power sector. Energy Information Administration
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U.S.
First-mover states are saturating, fueling intense competition. And those rich incentives? They're increasingly tied to serving elusive low-income customers often skeptical of promises that are too good to be true. Renewable Energy World
U.S.
The projects will help approximately 5,000 households, along with area non-profits, businesses and a public school district, save as much as 20% on their monthly electricity costs. Solar Builder Magazine
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California
SunRun program offered 27 MW of power to California grid over 90 days this summer. Energy-Storage.news
U.S.
Commercial buildings, which account for 37% of all electrical load in the United States, offer an opportunity to implement impactful demand response strategies. TechXplore
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California
With an instantaneous peak output of nearly 32 megawatts, the program frequently supplied the grid with up to 30 megawatts -- sufficient power for more than 20,000 homes. North American Clean Energy
North Carolina
The program will offer incentives for customers to install batteries and rooftop solar -- and turn control over to Duke Energy. Utility Dive
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International
A look at how high data center demand is going, could be 1/3 of power demand in the US by 2026. It will require efficiency rules to deal with reliably, affordably. Network World
International
Danish firm Danfoss is working with Google to improve efficiency of cooling in its data centers, reuse waste heat. Energy Digital
International
A look into the growth of data centers globally, which has shifted from primary markets like NoVa's Data Center Alley as the grid is short on capacity there. Questions whether efficiency can be maintained as AI advances The Economist
Missouri
Details Ameren's application for $370 million investment in efficiency and DR for programs that would run 2025-2027. Columbia Missourian
Vermont
Vermont leads New England in heat pumps per capita with 63k installed - Maine has highest number at 131K, but also a higher population. Massachusetts, with its leading regional population, lags with just 30k. Burlington Free Press
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Fossil Fuels
Since early 2003, the United States has retired the same amount of fossil fueled electricity generation capacity as it has installed, even while the size of the economy has grown by two thirds. pv Magazine
International
The research found the oil operations are releasing vast quantities of compounds that can cause localized air pollution and form damaging particles that can travel across the continent. Inside Climate News
U.S.
Documents and recordings obtained by HEATED detail a multi-million dollar plan to spin the fossil fuel as "clean" and "renewable." Heated
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California
Controlled Thermal Resources has broken ground on an integrated geothermal power and lithium production facility at the Salton Sea in California. Think GeoEnergy
California
Murrieta Hot Springs, a palm-shaded haven of steaming streams and coveted mud just north of Temecula, California, has been home to a Christian Bible college, a TV-free vegetarian commune and a popular mostly Jewish resort. Now comes a new chapter that will open the grounds and waters to the public for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Guam Daily Post
International
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) are human-made or enriched reservoirs within the Earth's subsurface, from which heat can be extracted to produce geothermal energy. The energy produced by these reservoirs could serve as an alternative source of electricity, helping to mitigate carbon emissions. Tech Xplore
International
Flexible geothermal plants preferentially displace the most expensive competing resources by shifting their generation on diurnal and seasonal timescales, with round-trip energy storage efficiencies of 59-93%. Benefits of EGS flexibility are robust across a range of electricity market and geothermal technology development scenarios. Nature
Massachusetts
The city of Boston, Massachusetts will be implementing the first networked geothermal pilot project in a public housing community in Dorchester. Think GeoEnergy
U.S.
ORNL and NREL Modeling Finds Installing Geothermal Heat Pumps in About 70% of US Buildings Could Reduce Need for New Long-Distance Transmission Lines by 33% Clean Technica
U.S.
The US DOE Geothermal Technologies Office has announced a $31-million funding opportunity for projects on EGS wellbore tools and low-temperature energy storage. Think GeoEnergy
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Indiana
A federally funded hydrogen fuel production hub promises to decarbonize industry and transportation, but locals worry it will perpetuate pollution and accelerate carbon pipeline projects. Energy News Network
Indiana
Indiana environmental and citizen groups say a lack of transparency for a planned regional hydrogen fuel hub is stoking fears that the project will primarily benefit polluting heavy industries -- though the federally funded program is meant to be part of a clean energy transition. Energy News Network
International
This is largely because market demand is "undershooting" manufacturer's expectations on the back of delays to green hydrogen projects, despite investments in both clean H2 and electrolysers tripling in 2023. Hydrogen Insight
U.S.
The high cost of the production tax credit -- $3/kg is equivalent to $91 per megawatt-hour, based on the energy content of hydrogen -- is far greater than wholesale electricity prices in the U.S., which in 2023 averaged between $30/MWh and $50/MWh. Manhattan Institute
U.S.
The world needs to complement clean electricity with some other low-carbon energy. Can hydrogen fill the gap? Canary Media kicks off a special series. Canary Media
U.S.
Top energy analysts Jesse Jenkins and Michael Liebreich dissect the role that clean hydrogen can realistically play in the clean energy transition. Canary Media
U.S.
Thanks to generous subsidies, the world is about to start making a lot more low- and zero-carbon hydrogen. These charts show how. Canary Media
U.S.
Clean hydrogen can help decarbonize the world. But only if it's made in an emissions-free way and used to do the stuff electricity can't handle. Canary Media
U.S.
Experts worry that U.S. policies to make clean hydrogen cheaper aren't enough to convince today's dirty hydrogen users to make the switch. Canary Media
U.S.
Hydrogen-based fuels, by contrast, pack more energy per volume than batteries or even hydrogen alone. And, unlike with biofuels, the ingredients needed to make these alternatives to petroleum are virtually unlimited. Canary Media
U.S.
Critics say the $7 billion program -- the country's chief plan to stoke demand for clean hydrogen -- could direct the fuel to industries where it's mostly a distraction. Canary Media
U.S.
Fossil fuel interests want to shape the emerging clean hydrogen economy to serve their business needs -- a desire in conflict with climate goals. Canary Media
U.S.
Fossil fuel giants and renewables stalwarts alike are betting they can produce hydrogen without all the carbon emissions. Canary Media
U.S.
California is about to get its first hydrogen train, and more H2 vehicles are en route. But their role in decarbonizing transportation is still a matter of debate. Canary Media
U.S.
Experts worry that U.S. policies to make clean hydrogen cheaper aren't enough to convince today's dirty hydrogen users to make the switch. Canary Media
U.S.
Critics say the $7 billion program -- the country's chief plan to stoke demand for clean hydrogen -- could direct the fuel to industries where it's mostly a distraction. Canary Media
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U.S.
For the first time, FEMA will fund net-zero energy projects, including solar, through its Public Assistance grant program, which covers rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other community infrastructure investments post-disasters. Solar Power World
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Colorado
Xcel wants a 7.4% rate hike in Colorado starting next year when higher rates from Winter Storm Uri are set to expire. CBS News
Illinois
Editorial calls on City of Chicago to hold off on banning gas in new buildings, leaving it for the state to debate. Chicago Tribune
International
The conflict in the Middle East joins Ukraine as a source of potential energy price spikes in the near future, IEA warns. Financial Times
International
With new reliance on US natural gas post Ukraine, Europeans are worried that restrictions on exports being adopted post Biden's review could lead to problems down the road. The New York Times
International
Mongolian President tells FT that major project to ship Russian gas to China through his country faces delays as two sides cannot agree on key issues. Project has been complicated by high natural gas prices. Financial Times
International
Despite strong climate goals, Europe's reliance on natural gas is driving billions of investment in fossil fuel extraction/shipment around the world. Bloomberg
International
With Houthis in the Red Sea and drought in Panama two of the major global arteries have issues with shipping and the article looks at how that could impact gas prices. Natural Gas World
International
Africa is home to 40% of recent natural gas discoveries and countries like Senegal want to develop them and use $$ to grow their economy, but environmentalists worry about impact on climate change. The Washington Post
International
Gas demand is expected to rise 2.5% this year, driven by China, IEA said. Agency also expects more price volatility in '24 than last year. Natural Gas Intelligence
Minnesota
A new pipeline in Minnesota would carry gas from dairy cows to consumers and Star Tribune reports on a public hearing on the proposal held by state regulators. Star Tribune
National
Republicans in Congress plan big pushback to Biden's LNG pause, including possible legislation to try to stop it. E&E News by POLITICO
National
Law firm's analysis of the implication's of Biden's LNG pause, which could impact FERC too - which it said is not immune from outside pressure. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
North Carolina
MVP Southgate has changed its plans - for a shorter route with a bigger pipeline and environmentalists argue that should require a new review to go forward. Raleigh News & Observer
U.S.
Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy wrote in a Monday Wall Street Journal op-ed that he will block all of President Joe Biden's State and Energy department nominees until the administration relents. Oil Gas Daily
U.S.
A year after a major methane leak from underground gas storage, a new study identifies potentially thousands of similarly risky sites across the United States. Energy News Network
U.S.
According to a new report, there are thousands of potential opportunities for a natural gas leak across the country. The new analysis of data collected by federal regulators suggests there are as many as 11,446 storage wells in the country with the same key risk as the wells that failed at Rager Mountain and Aliso Canyon: They have only a single barrier to failure. Energy News Network
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International
Provincial government-owned Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will start preliminary work for the Pickering station this year and the project is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s, Ontario said in a statement. Reuters
International
The Biden administration and American companies are plowing billions of dollars into SMRs in a bid for business and global influence. CNN
Ohio
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission panel was to hear arguments Jan. 30 about whether two citizen groups can challenge Energy Harbor's application to extend the life of Ohio's Perry nuclear plant through 2046. The Ohio Nuclear-Free Network and Beyond Nuclear say they are worried about potential radioactive leaks into Lake Erie, as well earthquake risks that were not understood four decades ago when the plant was originally licensed. They also question whether the company adequately considered whether relicensing is necessary. Energy News Network
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California
Floventis Energy's 60 MW floating wind proposal continues moving through the state permitting system(s), with the California State Lands Commission and the U.S Department of the Air Force now working on a joint environmental impact report/statement for the demonstration project. OffshoreWIND.biz
Delaware
US Wind program is offering each coastal town $2 million, paid $100,000 per year for 20 years. Cape Gazette
International
Onshore wind has made some progress over the past decade, but access to offshore wind development is controlled by the federal government, so it had been slowed to almost a stop by the conservative government that was previously in power. Clean Technica
International
To help tackle these challenges, stakeholders are encouraged to continue focusing on technology and long-term planning to support the continuation of the historical downward cost trajectory, writes Brian Bell, Global Director of Offshore Wind at Fugro. The Engineer
International
If we're to switch to a zero-emissions economy, some cutthroat tactics will be necessary, writes Bloomberg columnist David Fickling. Bloomberg
Maine
The state has zeroed in on two potential wind port sites in Searsport: Mack Point, a piece of shoreline that now partly houses a Sprague Energy oil and cargo terminal; and Sears Island, a state-owned conservation area popular for birding and outdoor recreation. Renewable Energy World
Massachusetts
One theme among those who spoke is what they contend is a lack of information about both the potential benefits and drawbacks of utility-scale offshore wind facilities. Cape Cod Times
U.S.
State regulators and electric utilities whose contracts have been canceled are also frustrated by sophisticated and experienced developers' need to terminate those projects. S&P Global
U.S.
The Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters is the result of intensive work over two years among scientists and representatives from government, industry, and environmental groups that make up the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind. Clean Technica
U.S.
The Save the Right Whales Coalition is just one of a panoply of anti-renewable organizations identified in a new report from the Brown University Climate Development Lab that outlines a coordinated effort to combat the threat of offshore wind to the fossil fuel industry. WBUR
Virginia
The bill was backed by multiple major renewable energy companies and would have required the Virginia Department of Energy to conduct a competitive bidding process for non-utility developers to provide that needed amount of electricity. Virginia Mercury
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California
California's oil output a century ago amounted to it being the fourth-largest crude producer in the U.S., and spawned hundreds of oil drillers, including some of the largest still in existence. Reuters
U.S.
Exxon accused the investors in its lawsuit of abusing the process by putting forward resolutions to advance their agenda of diminishing its fossil fuels business, rather than grow shareholder value. It said that 90% of its shareholders voted down a similar proposal last year. Reuters
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International
The average supply cost indicated in the winning bids is 7.8 c/kWh (2023 dollars), excluding transmission and balancing. Energy Global
International
The research data was collected by conducting a public participation survey in the regions of Southwest Finland and Satakunta that are wind power hubs and have a relatively high population density on a Finnish scale. TechXplore
North Dakota
Public Service Commission Chair Randy Christmann noted that Verizon, which has a contract to buy power from a proposed NextEra wind farm in Oliver County, has no need for the electricity. KFGO
Oklahoma
Pontotoc Wind will generate about 500,000 MWh of power each year. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and will produce more than 200 jobs. Businesswire
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Hawaii
The closer the state gets to reaching its groundbreaking clean energy goals, the harder it will be to achieve them. Fast Company
Hawaii
Hawaii is blessed with an abundance of wind, sun and geothermal power but doesn't have a drop of fossil fuel. Instead, every 10 days or so an oil supertanker arrives at a refinery near the Honolulu port, producing almost 80% of the state's energy, Mikulina said. USA Today
International
Renewable power sources generated enough energy to meet 100 per cent of Scotland's electricity demand in 2022, recently released government data shows. Euronews
Michigan
At a panel hosted by Evergreen Action on Jan. 26, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined members of Energy Innovation, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights to discuss how the Clean Energy Future plan will impact Michigan's environment and the future of its economy. Michigan Advance
Minnesota
A potentially influential state task force, to move forward the 2040 carbon-free pledge, recommends a number of changes to the permitting process, but "prime farmland" rule likely to stay. Star Tribune
Nebraska
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen believes clean energy has a future in the state. During his radio call-in show last week, a listener asked for the governor's thoughts on solar and wind energy. With regard to solar, Pillen says he's a believer. WJAG
U.S.
Federal funding potentially reaching more than $1 billion will support the agreement, which began as a proposal to the Biden Administration from the four tribes and two states. pv Magazine
U.S.
Decades-old, yet reliable, technologies are making a comeback as batteries for wind and solar power. Sierra Club
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California
Rooftop solar installations in the state have plummeted by more than 80% just during the time between regulators' approval of a plan slashing energy credits and the court's ruling upholding it, writes Anthony Lacey of the Environmental Working Group. Common Dreams
California
Businesses have a habit of getting hooked on corporate welfare and then suffering painful withdrawals when government subsidies taper off, the Wall Street Journal's editorial board writes. Wall Street Journal
California
We know for certain that California's solar industry is not going away. The sector is a cornerstone of the state's economy, employing over 78,000 people and driving nearly $100 billion of private capital into communities statewide. Clean Technica
International
The initiative reflects stepped-up EU efforts to reduce buildings' emissions of greenhouse gases as part of the fight against climate change. Buildings account for around 36% of emissions in Europe and are part of an EU renovation wave. TechXplore
Minnesota
Solstar is a retired solar entrepreneur's effort to bring solar -- and jobs -- to a community where he rarely worked during his three-decade career in the industry. Energy News Network
U.S.
We should still be fighting for NEM, especially in areas where the penetration rates of solar remain low, but we need to simultaneously build our second line of defense for the equitable implementation of ToU, writes industry veteran Jessica Fishman. Solar Power World
U.S.
But these projects can be difficult to finance. And because houses of worship generally don't pay taxes, they've had trouble capitalizing on renewable energy tax benefits. Michigan Advance
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Arizona
Arizona lawmakers took the first steps Jan. 25 to treating sunlight the way Alaskans treat oil: Tax the power generated if it's going out of state and divide up the revenues among residents. SB 1066, approved on a 3-2 party line vote by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water, would require counties to establish a 12.5% royalty on every dollar received by companies that operate solar farms for commercial sale of electricity. And then those dollars would be divided up among residents. White Mountain Independent
Georgia
Suniva ordered equipment for thermal process steps annealing, diffusion and anti-reflective coating and passivation from Germany's Centrotherm, as it proceeds with plans to expand high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cell production in Norcross, Georgia. pv Magazine
Illinois
The Green Energy Justice Cooperative recently placed first, second and fourth in the Illinois Power Agency's second round of community-driven community solar project selection. Being selected for this solar development program, made possible through the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, represents an important step in developing and building clean energy projects in Illinois communities. The co-op, founded by environmental justice group Blacks in Green and local partners, is now applying for renewable energy credits totaling $12.5 million. Inside Climate News
International
The country added 216.9 gigawatts of solar last year, blowing away its previous record of 87.4 gigawatts from 2022, the National Energy Administration said in a statement. China also added 75.9 gigawatts of wind, up from 37.6 gigawatts last year, also a record. Financial Post
International
The company says its solar panel achieved 25% conversion efficiency - the percentage of solar energy shining on a panel converted into electricity. That's a big deal compared to the more typical 16-24% in commercial solar panels. Electrek
Minnesota
One installation at a time, a solar nonprofit that matches socially conscious investors' cash with lower-income homeowners is spreading the benefits of solar in North Minneapolis. Solstar was formed three years ago by solar entrepreneur Ralph Jacobson following his retirement from IPS Solar, the pioneering Twin Cities' solar company he founded three decades ago earlier. It is a collective effort for clean energy leaders in North Minneapolis to address racial disparities. Energy News Network
New Hampshire
The state plans to use $1.4 million from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to help fund the installation of solar projects up to 60 kilowatts on municipal buildings or land. Renewable Energy World
New York
Developing an in-state energy industry will generate some demand for commercial real estate. GlobeSt
Rhode Island
Gov. Dan McKee launched a program Jan. 25 designed to make solar energy more accessible to Rhode Islanders. The Affordable Solar Access Program, also called ASAP, will provide solar leases and power purchase agreements to Rhode Islanders of low-to-moderate income that own single-family homes. PosiGen has partnered with the state to make the leases and agreements possible. WPRI-TV
U.S.
The short-term impact of extreme weather, such as flooding, high winds, hail, wildfire and lightning, was minimal in most PV systems studied. pv Magazine
U.S.
Events such as hail or high winds can have a lasting impact on solar panels' productivity, an NREL study found. Utility Dive
U.S.
While the math gets tricky on how to earn the domestic content tax credit, there's no question that the incentive has driven U.S. solar tracker manufacturing since the IRA was passed in 2022. Solar Builder Magazine
U.S.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will begin paying to install solar panels on schools, hospitals and other public buildings that are rebuilt after disasters, making them more resilient against future disasters while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The change reflects the disaster agency's decision to use federal dollars to expand renewable energy as it copes with worsening climate shocks. The New York Times
U.S.
Across the country, houses of worship are pursuing solar systems. As of 2021, about 2% of houses of worship in the United States have solar systems, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which the University of California manages for the U.S. Department of Energy. That's disproportionately high; houses of worship make up only 0.6% of all non-residential buildings. Grist
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California
The sector is a cornerstone of the state's economy, employing over 78,000 people and driving nearly $100 billion of private capital into communities statewide. Solar Energy Industries Association
California
Peaking at nearly 32 megawatts from 8,500 solar-plus-storage residential systems, Sunrun and Pacific Gas and Electric customers provided consistent, reliable clean energy to California's power grid through the summer and fall of 2023 through an exclusive partnership between PG&E and Sunrun, the nation's leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service. PR Newswire
North Carolina
The North Carolina Utilities Commission has given Duke Energy the green light to move ahead with its PowerPair residential solar-plus-storage incentive program, which will begin enrolling customers in May. Utility Dive
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International
So even though we're building more solar and wind capacity, we can't trust it to supply enough energy in winter, writes Jason Hayes of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. USA Today
International
The China Electricity Council (CEC) said in a yearly report that grid-connected wind and solar would make up around 40% of installed power generation capacity by the end of 2024, compared with 37% for coal. Bangkok Post
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Arizona
Salt River Project has teamed up with CMBlu Energy for a pilot project that will use solar energy and discharge it overnight. It will supplement SRP's power system, helping provide stored power for longer periods, especially in times of fluctuating, high energy demand. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, with the project operational by December 2025. Arizona PBS
Indiana
This system is expected to be operational by December 2024 and online during the MISO 2024-2025 winter season. Power Engineering
Indiana
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved a proposed large-scale battery storage project in development in the U.S. state by AES' regional utility subsidiary. AES Indiana said Jan. 26 that the regulatory body has green-lit the 200-MW/800MWh Pike County Battery Energy Storage Project, in the Indiana county of the same name. The standalone battery energy storage system asset is expected to come online by December this year. Energy Storage News
International
The first production lines will be opened in two months time at the company's new Jankomir facility on the outskirts of the Croatian capital Zagreb as part of a pilot project with Croatian renewable energy company ENNA. U.S. News & World Report
International
The amount invested in energy storage soared globally during 2023, while battery manufacturing will require the biggest share of spending among clean energy technologies by 2030 to achieve net zero. BloombergNEF has just published the latest edition of its annual "Energy transition investment trends" report for 2024, including the above takeaways. Energy Storage News
Maine
Battery storage that holds and releases solar and wind power when the sun won't shine and a breeze doesn't stir is drawing increased investment from developers as Maine tries to reach its clean energy goals. The question of who can own energy storage is now before state regulators. Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel
Nebraska
Solar and wind energy are needed increasingly across the state. They're more friendly to the environment, but many neighborhoods don't allow them. However, a bill was introduced in the unicameral Jan. 25 that hopes to address the issue. If passed, LB1119 would protect a homeowner's right to install and use an electric system on their property for the purpose of saving energy. WOWT
Tennessee
The machines that turn Tennessee's Raccoon Mountain into one of the world's largest energy storage devices -- in effect, a battery that can power a medium-size city -- are hidden in a cathedral-size cavern deep inside the mountain. But what enables the mountain to store all that energy is plain in an aerial photo. The summit plateau is occupied by a large lake that hangs high above the Tennessee River, so close it looks like it might fall in. Science
U.S.
From interconnection to market structures, U.S. power grid operators are grappling with an onslaught of battery storage development, which has boomed due to the critical need to shore up variable renewable energy. Renewable Energy World
U.S.
From interconnection to market structures, U.S. power grid operators are grappling with an onslaught of battery storage development, which has boomed due to the critical need to shore up variable renewable energy. Power Engineering
U.S.
Portable battery storage on wheels has become a standard offering from a host of battery system suppliers. Around two dozen companies showcased portable battery options at the 2024 Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America in San Diego -- ranging from the size of a toaster to a large camping cooler. The appeal of these units may primarily be their portability, to power off-grid appliances while camping or doing remote construction work, but they're also an intriguing option for homeowners in need of backup power in a pinch. Solar Builder
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U.S.
Farmers in Missouri are opposing the Grain Belt Express, a transmission line that will connect wind farms in Kansas with cities in the East. New Yorker
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International
Scientists in Switzerland used project-level data from BloombergNEF to analyze completion times of renewable energy projects across 48 countries. pv Magazine
U.S.
PPA pricing rose in some markets like California and declined in others, including Texas, said a report from LevelTen Energy. pv Magazine
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North Dakota
A North Dakota utilities regulator expressed concern Jan. 29 about a wind energy project that he said would provide "greenwashing" to a large corporation. Public Service Commission Chair Randy Christmann noted that Verizon, which has a contract to buy power from a proposed NextEra wind farm in Oliver County, has no need for the electricity. News From The States
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