Energy storage made headlines on both coasts last week.
NetZero Insider’s Ayla Burnett has the story on the California Energy Commission’s report that long-duration energy storage will be crucial to meeting the state’s goal of emissions-free power by 2045. The report notes that this will be expensive unless there are breakthroughs in storage technology.
John Cropley has a story on suggested revisions to New York
state’s Fire Code stemming from fires in three different grid-scale battery energy storage systems last year. A working group formed in the wake of the blazes proposed the code changes as part of its safety review. Meanwhile, insurance industry representatives weighed in on best practices for reducing storage risks in a piece in Solar Power World.
Cropley also looks at the state of the offshore wind industry, as reflected in the recently reported financials of some of the largest developers and manufacturers in the sector. Most notably, Ørsted lowered its installation goals, suspended dividends, will cut up to 800 jobs and plans to pull out of some smaller markets as a result of its multibillion-dollar losses in the U.S. Reuters took an analytical look at Ørsted’s situation and concluded that the belt-tightening is the right first step to restoring its credibility, but only the first step of many.
Also this past week, the U.S. Department of Energy opened the second
solicitation in its transmission facilitation program, in which it expects to spend up to $1.2 billion to spur the development of the grid capacity needed to support electrification. Rich Heidorn Jr. has the story.
In Washington state, John Stang updates the controversy over
the proposed Horse Heaven Hills Energy Center, a large wind and solar facility. Scout Clean Energy contends that changes ordered by the state’s siting council are unscientific and would render the project untenable.
The opposition to the Horse Heaven Hills proposal is far from unique. USA Today reports that at least 15% of counties in the U.S. have effectively halted new utility-scale wind, solar, or both.
Rooftop solar also is coming under pressure as regulators in Utah,Hawaii and other states reduce their compensation. Puerto Rico, however, is making rooftop installations more attractive.
More coverage of net zero resources is gathered in the Intelligence Report below:
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Hawaii
Hawaii's most promising pathways to a carbon-free economy are coming into focus with the recent release of the report Hawaii Pathways to Decarbonization. Importantly, state lawmakers have introduced bills (Senate Bill 2525 and House Bill 2178) that would implement one of the report's key recommendations. Civil Beat
North Carolina
Duke Energy proposes to build a new natural gas plant in Person County and three small modular nuclear reactors in Stokes County over the next 10 years, projects the company says are necessary to meet "unprecedented" energy demand while reducing carbon emissions as legally required. In filings with the state Utilities Commission, Duke estimated that construction costs for these projects would hike average monthly energy bills for Duke Energy Progress residential customers by 39% over previous estimates in 2033; Duke Energy Carolinas customers would pay 73% more per month. NC Newsline
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Colorado
Our interviews so far have often focused on the pollution that seeps and drifts through Commerce City and north Denver, and the people who are working to fight it. We thought it made sense, this week, to talk to two environmentalists with the city and county of Denver who are working toward awareness and solutions to climate change. Commerce City Sentinel Express
Illinois
The state is aiming to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, the Illinois Manufacturers' Association announced this week. Fox 32 Chicago
International
Carbon capture tax credits are uncapped and costs could end up being higher CBC
International
Carbon capture and sequestration in all of its various ineffective, inefficient and expensive forms is having another run up the hype cycle. CleanTechnica
International
A new strategy released by the European Union (EU) has outlined the potential role that carbon capture technologies could play in reducing emissions by 90% by 2040 and reaching climate neutrality by 2050. GasWorld
International
India is set to launch a carbon capture policy that it says will allow it to keep exploiting its vast coal resources and deal with its growing emissions, according to to a top government energy adviser. BNN Bloomberg
New Mexico
U.S. legislation targeting carbon capture, specifically focused on geological sequestration, faced a significant setback as a proposed Senate bill failed to advance past the initial committee, New Mexico Political Report reported Wednesday. Carbon Herald
North Dakota
The North Dakota Public Service Commission has voted 3-0 in favor of a rule pertaining to a carbon dioxide pipeline. Summit Carbon Solutions filed a request asking the state to override two ordinances passed in Burleigh and Emmons County which more strictly limited how the pipeline could be built in both counties. SCS plans to transport concentrated carbon dioxide from several ethanol plants which would be stored permanently underground. KX Television
U.S.
PPL Corporation announced the company and its research partners were selected for a $72 million award negotiation by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to help fund a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture research and development project expected to cost in excess of $100 million. Power Engineering
U.S.
Thousands of miles of oil and natural gas pipelines already crisscross the country. Now, many more are being proposed to carry things like hydrogen and carbon dioxide as ways to combat climate change. NPR
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U.S.
A glaring loophole already had allowed at least a half-billion tons of the waste to go unregulated. Now the agency says many of the facilities that are subject to the rules do not comply. Inside Climate News
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New York
Statewide Solar for All, which is already being reviewed by the state Public Service Commission, barely provides any cost savings while undercutting a program that is already providing substantially more relief to people who desperately need it. The Journal News
U.S.
It says the future is bright for community solar, as states have strengthened programs, federal legislation is increasingly implemented and billions of dollars are invested in solar projects for all income levels. pv Magazine
Washington
Legislators in Washington State were hoping to boost the state's community solar program with bills that would establish The Fair Access to Community Solar Act; however, supporters will have to wait another year. pv Magazine
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Canada
Ontario system operator signs up 100k
customers for massive virtual power plant program that can provide grid with 90 MW of capacity. Smart Energy International
Carolinas
Duke launching a virtual power plant program for solar plus storage - 60 MW spread across its Carolinas utilities Yahoo Finance
Colorado
Colorado regulator pushing for Xcel to roll out VPP by the end of the year. Yahoo
Finance
International
The 90-MW program is among the largest of its kind in Canada, but reproducing it in the U.S. could prove tricky. Utility Dive
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican pilot program using DERs in 6500 residential customer sites, could lead to a much larger virtual power plant if successful Next City
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U.S.
Newly-discovered documents reveal that the early climate science conducted by Charles David Keeling at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) between 1954 and 1956--which led to the famous Keeling Curve, "a key piece of evidence that climate change is human caused"--was sponsored by a group of industrialists and civic leaders who banded together in 1953 to tackle Los Angeles' smog problem. The Energy Mix
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Florida
Following senior commencement, Miami University plans to break ground for construction, but not for a new academic building or residence hall. Miami Student
Idaho
Boise is home to the largest geothermal system in the country, making Idaho a leader in geothermal energy use. Yet much of the infrastructure made to harness this energy, built in the 1980s, is nearing the end of its lifespan. Boise State Public Radio
International
Following earlier eruptions near the Svartsengi geothermal plant and the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, new volcanic activity is now seeing lava flowing towards the facilities. Think GeoEnergy
Maryland
Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat, or WARMTH Act, creates a pilot program that would establish networked geothermal projects in a handful of neighborhoods across the state. Maryland Matters
Maryland
House Bill 397, the Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat or WARMTH Act, creates a pilot program that would establish networked geothermal projects in a handful of neighborhoods across the state. It is aimed at chipping away at carbon emissions as required by the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, which set in motion a mandate to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2031 and reach net-zero emissions by 2045. Maryland Matters
Maryland
The WARMTH bill proposes the implementation of pilot networked geothermal heating projects across underserved communities in the state of Maryland. Think GeoEnergy
Massachusetts
It's a first-in-the-nation utility scale networked geothermal system, which works by harnessing the earth's ambient temperature. Commonwealth Beacon
Massachusetts
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are still a rarity, with Massachusetts utilities exploring new ways to decarbonize the systems through systems of pipes and deep wells that exchange heat. Commonwealth Beacon
Ohio
The Miami University in Oxford, Ohio will soon begin drilling for a future geothermal heating and cooling system to replace an existing natural gas facility. Think GeoEnergy
U.S.
There's much more to renewable energy than just wind farms and solar arrays - and some of those renewable sources have more in common with conventional fuels like oil and natural gas than you might think. RealClearEnergy
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California
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
International
There are now 54 independent studies which make it clear that hydrogen has no place in homes or commercial buildings. And if it has no place in buildings, there's no future for gas utilities and there will be no convenient and inexpensive hydrogen network used for a multitude of purposes running through cities. CleanTechnica
U.S.
A Stanford University report found that transitioning to clean energy could enable many countries to reduce annual energy cost by around 61%. pv Magazine
U.S.
Fossil fuel giants and renewables stalwarts alike are betting they can produce hydrogen without all the carbon emissions. Canary Media
U.S.
Case studies and best practices from advising developers of the DOE's $7 billion Regional Clean H2Hubs program, plus lessons for future clean energy projects. RMI
U.S.
Industry says leniency is needed while the market develops, but community groups say hydrogen production must not siphon clean energy off the grid. Energy News Network
U.S.
Concerns have been raised by industry leaders about whether there is a sufficient supply of green hydrogen to sustain this green transformation. Power Engineering International
U.S.
Utilities say the fuel can help them achieve a carbon-free grid. Climate hawks say it opens up a morass of waste and greenwashing that may impede better solutions. Canary Media
Washington
A rebirth of the former smelter site as a big hydrogen factory could hinge on finding an affordable, high-volume supplier of renewable electricity. The Columbian
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Utah
Power companies including Chevron are readying a massive hydrogen battery in Utah. Two large salt caverns are being emptied -- their salt dissolved through water -- after which they will be filled with hydrogen gas. The battery will work like this: Surplus renewable energy, generated during the country's autumn and winter seasons, will be used to create the hydrogen, which will then be stored in the caverns. When demand is high and renewable capacity cannot meet the requirement, i.e. summer, the hydrogen will be burned along with a small amount of natural gas to produce electricity, bridging the gap. Emerging Technology News
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U.S.
The owners or operators of hydroelectric facilities, including pumped storage hydropower, receiving the efficiency incentives will make capital improvements that improve their facility's efficiency by an average of 14% with a statutory minimum of 3% improvement per facility. U.S. Department of Energy
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Carolinas
Duke seeking to build more gas plants to meet demand, would use MVP expansion to fuel them. Natural Gas Intelligence
Pennsylvania
As AG, Pa. Gov Shaprio was critical of natural gas and fracking, but he has embraced the industry as governor and lost some supprot from environmentalists in the process. InsideClimate News
U.S.
On Jan. 16, a record high of 141.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas was consumed in the lower 48 states, exceeding the previous record, set Dec. 23, 2022, S&P Global Commodity Insights estimates. Well-below-normal temperatures caused by a large mass of arctic air that covered most of the continental United States increased demand of natural gas used for residential and commercial space heating and for electric power generation. Both consumption of natural gas and withdrawals from underground storage increased to record volumes because of the higher demand. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
Well-below-normal temperatures caused by a large mass of arctic air that covered most of the continental United States increased demand of natural gas used for residential and commercial space heating and for electric power generation. Energy Information Administration
U.S.
Last month, the Biden administration said it would pause the permitting process for new facilities that export liquefied natural gas in order to study their impact on climate change, the economy and national security. Even with the pause, the United States is still on track to nearly double its export capacity by 2027 because of projects already permitted and under construction. But any expansions beyond that are now in doubt. The New York Times
U.S.
Even with President Biden's pause, the United States is still on track to nearly double its export capacity by 2027 because of projects already permitted and under construction. New York Times
Texas
Texas sets oil and gas production records in 23, despite low prices. Natural Gas Intelligence
Texas
Gulf Coast Midstream wants to build new storage facility on Texas Gulf Coast - first new storage facility in region for a decade Natural Gas Intelligence
Texas
A look at how Biden's LNG pause will impact 4 projects under development in Texas, which are waiting for approvals. Houston Chronicle
Texas
Lt. Gov. Patrick and Blackrock host investors in Houston - trying to attract new investment in natural gas plants in ERCOT. Texas Standard
Pennsylvania
Op-ed arguing that Sens. Fetterman and Casey should pay attention to their voters who oppose an LNG export facility, rather than O&G industry. The Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and Bob Casey released a statement this week expressing concern about the president's decision to pause some export approvals for liquified natural gas, or LNG. The Biden administration announced Jan. 26 that it was pausing approvals of new exports of LNG to all countries without a free trade agreement with the United States. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star
International
a dive into the issues around emissions from LNG - the liquifaction process and methane leakage can make all-in emissions much bigger than direct Scientific American
New Jersey
NJ legislators to consider approving a ballot intiative that would add a constitutional amendment banning fossil fueled power plants from being built. NJ Spotlight News
New Jersey
New Jersey lawmakers are exploring a tectonic shift in the state's energy policy that could phase out nearly all of its fossil fuel power plants in the coming decades and ensure they don't return without a rewrite of the state constitution. In 2022, roughly 51.3% of the energy generated in New Jersey came from natural gas plants, with nuclear power (43.5%) accounting for much of what remained, according to the Energy Information Administration. New Jersey Monitor
National
article explains the numerous factors that go into LNG exports' climate impacts, including what it replaces. MIT Technology Review
National
Explainer on recent expansion of LNG withdrawals that has made US the number one exporter in less than 10 years. The New York Times
Massachusetts
Massachusetts utilities, regulators and lawmakers are beginning to chart their next steps following an order issued two months ago that signaled the beginning of the end of natural gas in the state. While hailed as a transformational win by clean energy advocates, the Dec. 6 decision is light on specifics, instead laying out broad, guiding principles that stakeholders will need to convert into policy. Utility companies, the legislature, and state regulators still have to lay out concrete strategies for translating the ideas in the order into meaningful change, advocates said. Energy News Network
International
FT looks into who will benefit from Biden's LNG pause Financial Times
International
Sweden closes probe into Nordstream explosion and makes none of its findings public. The New
York Times
International
LNG Tankers avoiding Houthi attacks in Red Sea by going around Africa, but it is not adding costs as Europe is well supplied with storage, Norway and imports from the USA. Natural Gas Intelligence
International
Germany is moving towards natural gas power plants, but it wants ones that are hydrogen ready. Bloomberg
Washington State
A bill reforming Washington State utility regulations could eventually lead to PSE cutting off natural gas service to existing customers Washington Examiner
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North Carolina
Duke Energy proposes to build a new natural gas plant in Person County and three small modular nuclear reactors in Stokes County over the next 10 years, projects the company says are necessary to meet "unprecedented" energy demand while reducing carbon emissions as legally required. NC Newsline
South Carolina
Nearly 700 employees at the Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility, located 25 minutes southeast of Columbia, South Carolina, are set to vote on whether to form a union represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. HuffPost
U.S.
Argonne harnesses the power of machine learning-driven models to study nuclear reactor performance as scientists seek to develop cost-effective small nuclear reactors. Argonne National Laboratpry
U.S.
It said the technology would combine Holtec's SMR-300 small modular reactor design with the group's HI-THERM HSP solar thermal system, and Holtec's Green Boiler. Power Magazine
U.S.
All the small modular reactor projects are dead. The sooner we get off this misguided quest, the more we can focus on rationally dealing with our energy and climate challenges, writes M.V. Ramana, the Simons chair in disarmament, global and human security and professor at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Utility Dive
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U.S.
U.S.-based nuclear company Holtec has announced the development of a new power plant design that will integrate the use of nuclear and solar energy. NucNet
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Connecticut
The collaborative is part of the state's offshore strategic roadmap, which calls for the new nonprofit to work collaboratively with various parties and stakeholders to advance the regional supply chain, as well as in conjunction with neighboring states. offshoreWIND.biz
International
Offshore wind will not go away, it is, and will continue to be, a growth industry, but there could be a rethink of how the industry is structured and what it is worth. Energy Voice
International
The measures mean Orsted won't need to resort to an equity raise to strengthen its balance sheet, and imply the group's debt shouldn't threaten its investment grade rating. Reuters
Maryland
Stung by news that one of the two companies that was planning to install wind energy turbines off the coast of Ocean City is reassessing its projects, House leaders are drafting legislation designed to shore up the state's offshore wind industry. House Economic Matters Chair C.T. Wilson (D-Charles) and Vice Chair Brian M. Crosby (D-St. Mary's) planned to introduce a bill to buttress USWind, the one company fully committed to building wind installations in federal waters near Maryland, and encourage more players to enter the marketplace. Maryland Matters
New Jersey
The price demanded and received by independent competitive suppliers shows there is at least some upside to the utility-owned, captive ratepayer-financed model behind Dominion Energy Virginia's massive offshore wind facility. Bacon's Rebellion
New York
According to Orsted, the offshore wind project would deliver an estimated $700 million in investments toward jobs, assets, and partnerships throughout the county. WSHU
U.S.
According to the draft EIA, installing suction bucket foundations has environmental advantages over pile driving since it produces less noise and less disturbance for underwater life. offshoreWIND.biz
U.S.
It will use these two facilities to service the growing domestic offshore wind market, filling a critical supply chain gap for offshore wind components and alleviating bottlenecks for a market with goals of deploying 30 GW by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
US Forged Rings has announced a $700 million investment in the U.S. offshore wind industry to construct a state-of-the-art tower fabrication facility and a steel forging plant. The U.S.-based company will use these two facilities to service the growing domestic offshore wind market, filling a critical supply chain gap for offshore wind components and alleviating bottlenecks for a market with goals of deploying 30 GW by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. The company is in final stages of evaluating East Coast locations and expects to announce a decision soon. North American Clean Energy
Virginia
As Virginia seeks to acquire at least 2.6 gigawatts of offshore wind energy to fulfill legally binding decarbonization targets, the bill would require the state to consider a range of bids from offshore wind developers other than Dominion. Inside Climate News
Virginia
As Virginia seeks to acquire at least 2.6 gigawatts of offshore wind energy to fulfill legally binding decarbonization targets, the bill would require the state to consider a range of bids from offshore wind developers other than Dominion. Inside Climate News
Virginia
A bill that would have opened the door for someone other than Dominion Energy to supply Virginia with the remaining amount of offshore wind energy it needs to comply with the Virginia Clean Economy Act won't be considered until 2025 after senators voted to carry it over to the next session. The legislation from Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, 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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International
It's estimated that 720,000 tons of blade material will be disposed of over the next 20 years in the US, and lawsuits are beginning to spring up over the dumping of blades. The Independent
Wyoming
The nameplate on the turbines advertises that the total portfolio of turbines can generate up to 2,556 megawatts of juice, but that's an unlikely target as the utility estimates it produces roughly 40% of the time in a year, at a best-case scenario of 30 mph windspeed. Cowboy State Daily
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Alaska
Forming an IPP will give each community access to a state subsidy that will lower the cost of renewable power. pv Magazine
Hawaii
Today, Hawaii leads the nation in the amount of rooftop solar installed per person, far ahead of second and third place states, Massachusetts and California. The islands are on track to hit a 2030 milestone by generating 40% of its electricity from renewables -- a stark contrast from 20 years earlier, when about 90% came from burning petroleum and even more polluting coal. The state ranks third for the highest level of electric vehicle adoption, behind California and Washington. Hawaii also shuttered its last remaining coal plant in 2022. Capital & Main
International
Amazon has signed a corporate power purchase agreement with Engie, increasing its share of output from Ocean Winds' Moray West offshore wind farm in Scotland to 473 MW when the site becomes operational this year. Amazon will secure more than half of the project's clean energy capacity to help power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025, five years ahead of its original target. Engie
Louisiana
To meet customers' needs for renewable energy, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved the construction of facilities that would add approximately 225 megawatts of solar power to Entergy Louisiana's generation portfolio. In 2023, the company sought commission approval of two projects to source more solar energy -- one in Iberville Parish that would account for approximately 175 megawatts, the other in Ouachita Parish that would be referred to as the Sterlington Solar Facility and account for an additional 49 megawatts. Entergy Newsroom
Mississippi
During a nasty 2023 campaign, incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves derided his Democratic opponent Brandon Presley for taking campaign contributions from his "solar panel buddies ... that have tried to run the oil business out of America." A few months later, Reeves, now in his second term as governor after prevailing in that reelection contest, stood proudly at a news conference in the Mississippi Capitol recently and boasted of providing millions in tax breaks and state cash to a company that embraces green or renewable energy, including -- gulp -- solar energy. Mississippi Today
North Carolina
Critics say the utility is "tripling down" on natural gas, ironically to serve load growth that comes partly from companies seeking a clean energy supply. Energy News Network
North Carolina
Clean energy is aligned with conservative values. So says North Carolina Rep. Kyle Hall, a Republican legislator in his fifth term from a small town near Winston-Salem. And pollsters have known for years that energy independence, less pollution, economic development, and other aspects of clean energy are popular with voters across the political spectrum. Still, those factors aren't always enough to propel policies favoring solar, wind and electric vehicles forward. Energy News Network
U.S.
A DOE report warned about potential impacts on low-income residents while also noting that about 400 MW of new capacity is needed soon to stabilize the island's electric grid and minimize outages. Utility Dive
U.S.
Consumer fatigue is setting in, stalling confidence, and stagnating progress, EY says in the 'Energy transition consumer insights' report. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
Carbon emissions reductions would exceed 80 percent by 2030, potentially reaching up to 88 percent. Further, the plan would keep costs low for customers by unlocking $5.7 billion in estimated tax credit savings from the Inflation Reduction Act for renewable generation and energy storage additions. Daily Energy Insider
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Hawaii
The state's consumer advocate and the Hawaii State Energy Office have raised concerns that the legislation, if enacted into law, will result in higher bills for customers who don't have rooftop solar. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
North Carolina
The debate over rooftop solar in North Carolina entered the courtroom Feb. 7 when a three-judge Court of Appeals panel heard a challenge to Duke Energy's reduced payments for home solar arrays. The lowered credits are part of a complicated truce between Duke, some of the state's oldest rooftop installers and multiple clean energy groups, all of whom sought to avoid the bruising battles over net metering seen in other states. But the new payments have tamped interest in homes going solar since they took effect last fall, with one installer reporting residential sales falling by as much as 50%. Energy News Network
Puerto Rico
California, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana and North Carolina have all taken recent steps to change or get rid of net metering -- payments to rooftop-solar owners for the surplus electricity they send back to the grid -- but Puerto Rico is bucking the trend, protecting its generous solar credits until at least the end of the decade. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi signed a bill last month extending the U.S. territory's program. The reason, advocates say, is that net metering is too essential to the archipelago's clean energy goals, and the security of its people. Grist
U.S.
A growing number of U.S. families want to install off-grid rooftop solar panels, but the financial incentives designed to encourage them have become controversial. Atmos
U.S.
The reason, advocates say, is that net metering is too essential to the archipelago's clean energy goals, and the security of its people. Grist
Utah
In the wake of net metering cuts leading to an industrywide implosion in California, Utah regulators are proposing a law that would increase compensation for exporting rooftop solar generation. pv Magazine
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Arkansas
The Little Rock Board of Directors on Feb. 6 voted to proceed with the development of a 4.9-megawatt solar array. City officials hope the facility will supply approximately 70% of the city's electricity needs, putting the city closer to a goal of powering 100% of its operations and fleet using clean energy by 2030. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
California
Residential solar company Sunrun has published the results of its Peak Power Rewards system, which saw residential solar systems deployed amongst its customers provide an average of 27 MW of power to the California electric grid for 90 consecutive days. The program, conducted with the Pacific Gas and Electricity Co. (PG&E), involved 8,500 Sunrun customers discharging electricity from their residential solar systems to PG&E's grid between August and October. In return, customers received $750, a Nest thermostat and Net Energy Metering credits towards their next bill with the utility, while their battery systems stored 20% of their power discharged, for use in emergencies. Energy Storage News
Connecticut
To date, this facility has been used for $30 million in capital for over 100 solar projects totaling 25 megawatts of capacity across the state under solar power purchase agreements. North American Clean Energy
Hawaii
The price that most Hawaii electrical utility customers pay for, or in some cases receive payment for, grid stability is being wrestled over at the state Legislature. A pair of bills sought by the rooftop solar industry seek to increase rates that residential and business rooftop solar system owners receive for helping Hawaiian Electric balance its power needs on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii island under a program approved by the state Public Utilities Commission in December and scheduled to begin March 1. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
International
Solcast reports that, last year, large regions were 10% or more above long term trends for solar radiation, including Western and Northern Europe, Eurasia, much of China, Southern Australia, the Midwestern and Southern U.S., Central and most of South America. pv Magazine
New York
The city is going all-in on solar with numerous supportive policies, changes in regulations, and programs to expand solar access. pv Magazine
New York
The New York State Public Service Commission has announced a virtual public statement hearing regarding the Homer Solar Project. The project calls for the construction, ownership and operation of a 90 MW solar farm within the towns of Cortlandville, Homer and Solon. The project will be sited on nearly 600 acres of leased private lands, with the 90-MW facility capable of powering over 20,000 homes within the state. The company says the project will help achieve the state's goal of 70% renewable energy by the end of this decade. WXHC
U.S.
From its Q3 2023 results, Sunworks reported a nearly 30% revenue decline from the prior year, with a revenue of $28.7 million in 2023 compared to $40.7 million in 2022. Solar Power World
U.S.
New research from Belgium shows the importance of assessing inverter reliability by including climate-based PV panel degradation rates. The scientists found that, especially in hot and arid climates, PV inverters should be designed with parameters above the standard value. pv Magazine
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U.S.
At least 15% of counties in the U.S. have effectively halted new utility-scale wind, solar, or both, USA TODAY found. These limits come through outright bans, moratoriums, construction impediments and other conditions that make green energy difficult to build. USA Today
U.S.
The opposition to renewable energy isn't as simple as left vs. right. There's no one group fighting renewables. Instead, there are many, with a range of objections. USA Today
U.S.
Some of the common objections are a matter of opinion - are wind turbines ugly or beautiful? Does a field of solar panels ruin a rural setting, or help preserve it? But other arguments are based on false information. USA Today
U.S.
Thanks to the power of algorithms, that flood of negative information can be unleashed at the whim of powerful forces with an agenda that may or may not benefit the community as a whole. CleanTechnica
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International
Graphene looks set to disrupt the electric vehicle battery market by the mid-2030s, according to a new artificial intelligence analysis platform that predicts technological breakthroughs based on global patent data. Energy Monitor
International
While more energy-dense BESS units mean packing more into smaller footprints, they may have additional implications for noise and fire safety, a developer source told Energy-Storage.news. With the widespread proliferation of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) technology, suitable land for projects has become harder to come by. This has made energy density an increasingly important consideration for developers when procuring BESS for projects and various BESS providers now provide as much as 5 MWh in a 20-foot shipping container-sized unit. Energy Storage News
New Jersey
A bill aimed at creating a pilot programme to incentivize energy storage deployment in New Jersey has advanced through the state's legislature after senators voted in its favor. The state Senate's Energy and Environment Committee voted narrowly, 3-2, in favour of taking forward a bill sponsored by committee Chair Bob Smith and Vice Chair Linda Greenstein. Energy Storage News
New York
Babylon Town board members are expected to vote this month on a temporary moratorium for lithium-ion battery storage facilities, after a public hearing Jan. 31 at which a few members of the public voiced concerns about the regulation and safety of such facilities. The proposed six-month moratorium on battery energy storage system facilities is centered on fire and environmental worries, town officials said. It includes a possible extension of up to another six months. Newsday
U.S.
After coming down last year, the cost of containerized BESS solutions for U.S.-based buyers will come down a further 18% in 2024, Clean Energy Associates said. The average 2024 price of a BESS 20-foot DC container in the U.S. is expected to come down to$148/kWh, down from$180/kWh last year, a similar fall to that seen in 2023, when CEA launched a new quarterly BESS pricing monitor. Energy Storage News
U.S.
The Department of Energy opened another round of battery manufacturing funding late last month, offering $15.7 million for research and development opportunities for next-generation batteries and energy storage, according to a Jan. 29 press release. Manufacturing Dive
U.S.
Risk from fires can be reduced by adhering to NFPA 855 standards for all new BESS installations. These standards were released by the industry in 2020 after research by NFPA's Property Insurance Research Group found fire hazards with lithium-ion batteries. Solar Power World
U.S.
Independent economic analysis and research firm EBP US has released a new report that estimates the U.S. battery industry powers roughly $8.1 trillion worth of domestic industrial economic output annually, or roughly 20% of the U.S. economy. PR Newswire
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U.S.
If approved, Duke could have the only local planning process that uses proactive, multi-value scenario planning, according to North Carolina clean energy groups. Utility Dive
U.S.
Anjali Patel, a consultant for Americans for a Clean Energy Grid, a nonprofit advocacy group, said past transmission planning has put economic needs, reliability needs and state interests in "separate buckets" and has been relatively short-sighted, even though transmission investments can last 40 or 50 years. Renewable Energy World
U.S.
Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are looking for a happy medium to enable the grid of the future, filling a gap between high and low voltages for power electronics technology that underpins the modern U.S. electric grid. CleanTechnica
U.S.
It provides critical situational awareness as the grid increasingly shifts to intermittent renewable power. TechXplore
U.S.
Electric utilities, which designed their system to meet peak demand in sizzling weather, are straining to keep up during the cold. New York Times
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U.S.
Chicken litter (poop, etc.) produced from 4,889 chicken houses reached 1.6 billion pounds creating serious ecological issues. Farmers should not be denied the ability to plant solar panels under the guise of making more land available to grow chickens and the grains to feed them. Gerald Winegrad, an attorney and environmental leader who served in the Maryland General Assembly for 16 years, 12 as a senator, asks if 2 million acres of farmland aren't enough. Maryland Matters
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