Good morning and welcome to this week's Resources Intelligence Report.
NetZero Insider’s K Kaufmann has the details on the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office conditionally agreeing to a $2.26 billion loan guarantee for a planned lithium processing plant in northern Nevada. General Motors is an investor in the Thacker Pass project and would be its sole customer for its first 10 years of operation.
Tribal nations have been fighting the Thacker Pass plan, as they have been fighting other proposals on land they consider sacred. Grist reported on the San Carlos Apache tribe’s battle against a planned Arizona mine at the world’s third-largest known copper deposit. And Bloomberg Law looks at the lingering distrust of cleanup promises at uranium mines on Navajo territory.
Kaufmann also reports on an update from the DOE that indicates next-generation
geothermal could add 90 to 300 GW of clean power to the nation’s grid. This new technology, which is still being researched and developed, would bore deeper into the earth to reach concentrations of heat inaccessible through traditional technology.
In other geothermal news, Think GeoEnergy reports that two Democratic and two Republican senators are proposing measures that would expedite the permitting process on public land.
NetZero Insider staff also filed four offshore wind reports this week:
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced it has designated a final wind energy area in the Gulf of Maine that has been reduced sharply to protect fishing grounds and wildlife habitat. John Cropley reports that if BOEM decides to proceed with a sale, the 2-million-acre zone has the potential to accommodate 32 GW of floating wind capacity.
Cropley also has a second BOEM story, this one in the Gulf of
Mexico, where the regulator is proposing to hold a second offshore wind auction. The first one was a flop, attracting minimal interest and a lowball winning bid, but market factors have changed since then.
BOEM also has a supporting role in Cropley’s third offshore wind story — it and its executive director are among the defendants named in a federal lawsuit conservative activists filed in an attempt to block construction of Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, which is scheduled to start in May. The complaint alleges an improper and incomplete assessment of the project’s impact on the North Atlantic right whale.
And Jon Lamson fills us in on ISO-NE’s plans to analyze the impact of
relocating planned offshore wind points of interconnection from Maine to Massachusetts to see if it would reduce the scale and cost of needed transmission upgrades.
Other media were busy with offshore wind coverage as well:
Ocean Winds has bought Shell’s
share of their SouthCoast Wind joint venture and will seek a new partner, offshoreWIND.biz reports.
Reuters quotes the head of RWE saying that offshore wind development costs 30% more in U.S. waters than in Europe, where the industry is established and mature. He expects costs to drop as supply chain bottlenecks are eased.
And Bloomberg explains that limited availability of
installation ships is the latest chokepoint as the world tries to ramp up offshore wind energy capacity.
Finally, columnist Steve Huntoon weighs in with a commentary piece attacking critiquing a recent Washington Post article that said “America is running out of power” amid explosive demand growth. Yes, there are challenges ahead, but they do not rise to the crisis level, Huntoon asserts.
Our curated Intelligence Report continues below:
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Arizona
Arizona just added its biggest grid battery so far, to benefit a new Google data center. The project adds 260 MW of solar and 1 gigawatt-hour of storage to the greater Phoenix-area grid controlled by utility Salt River Project. Canary Media
U.S.
A new report highlights the risk 120,000 abandoned oil and gas wells pose to carbon dioxide storage in Louisiana, home to more proposals to pump the greenhouse gas underground than any other state. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The United States is facing a new energy crisis -- one that could make the climate crisis even worse. After more than 30 years of falling or flat demand for electricity, electric utilities are forecasting the nation will need the equivalent of about 34 new nuclear plants, or 38 gigawatts, over the next five years to supply power for data centers, electrification and new industry, according to filings made to FERC and compiled by Grid Strategies. Floodlight
U.S.
A coalition of electric utility, labor and other groups sent a letter to U.S. senators on March 5 asking them to support "compromise legislation" the groups say will help address a shortage of distribution system transformers while also improving the energy efficiency of the devices. Utility Dive
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California
Questions about environmental safety and community health loom over the greenwashed industry and proposed export scheme. Grist
California
Developers are not accounting for cumulative impacts, or the fact that natural resources used to make biomass like wood pellets are finite. This leads to the exacerbation of existing pollution in disadvantaged areas. This article was sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Grist
Michigan
The Michigan Public Service Commission rejected two applications made by local utility Consumers Energy to terminate power purchase agreements (PPAs) in place with biomass producers in the state and replace them with solar power. PV Tech
Michigan
The Michigan Public Service Commission has rejected two applications made by local utility Consumers Energy to terminate power purchase agreements in place with biomass producers in the state, and replace them with power generated from solar. PV Tech
U.S.
The decarbonization of America's transportation and industrial sectors depends on a significant increase in the production of renewable biomass for use in liquid fuel, bio-based chemicals, and other products. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
While the forest biomass industry maneuvers to try to take advantage of new federal climate policy, environmental advocates are pushing back and trying to protect trees. Inside Climate News
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Illinois
Illinois lawmakers are working with agriculture, business and labor groups to pass a plan this spring to advance carbon capture and storage projects across the state. Experts believe the technology could play a vital role in reaching the state's 100% carbon-free goal by 2050. WAND
International
X Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation ("JX"; President & CEO: Toshiya Nakahara) and Chevron New Energies ("Chevron"), a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding ("MOU") that provides a framework to evaluate the export of Carbon Dioxide (CO?) from Japan to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects located in Australia and other countries in the Asia Pacific region. Yahoo! Finance
International
The Nywaigi people in Australia have discovered a way to sequester carbon, boost coastal biodiversity, and create jobs. WIRED
International
Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation report highlights work needed to make onboard carbon capture technology feasible TradeWinds
International
enfinium, a leading UK energy from waste operator, has signed an agreement with global green technology company Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) to install the UK's first carbon capture pilot plant at an energy-from-waste facility. Bioenergy Insight
International
Investing in forest protection is the most effective approach to enhancing forest carbon sequestration and supporting biodiversity. GreenBiz
Louisiana
A new report raises concerns about the feasibility of storing carbon dioxide underground in Louisiana, given the state's high number of abandoned oil and gas wells. Environmental Health News
Michigan
Western Michigan University has gotten a significant funding boost, with a grant of more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. WKZO
New York
Carbon dioxide emitters and users are piloting technology in the Big Apple C&EN
North Dakota
The PSC last year denied
Summit's application, but the Iowa-based company asked for a rehearing after making changes to its route The Dickinson Press
Oregon
A metal found in the Earth's crust could be used to attract and remove climate-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Oregon Capital Chronicle
South Dakota
Summit Carbon Solutions says its proposed carbon capture pipeline would move something of value from one place to another for a fee, and is entitled to survey private land and use eminent domain to obtain the rights of way needed for its construction. Des Moines Register
Texas
Texas is set to
host a facility aimed at significantly reducing atmospheric CO2. Environmental Health News
U.S.
With temperatures continuing to rise, the Biden administration is pumping billions of dollars into the carbon capture industry. Ben Tracy takes a look at how two different carbon capture companies are approaching the task. CBS News
U.S.
President Biden's US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has supercharged interest in carbon transactions as global energy players look to take advantage of huge financial incentives for project development, says a specialist in clean energy legal deals. GasWorld
U.S.
One of the greatest technological advancements in the climate change space is, arguably, the fact that we now have the technology to outright remove CO2 from its point of emission, or even the atmosphere. R Street
Wyoming
Another company has announced intentions to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air and inject it for permanent storage in underground geologic formations in Wyoming. Wyoming Business Report
Wyoming
Last week, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill that will enable utilities to charge their customers retrofitting their power plants with carbon capture technology. Carbon Herald
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U.S.
Google has committed to purchase $35 million in carbon removal credits, matching the Department of Energy's carbon removal purchase program, the company announced March 14. It is the first company to do so, Google said. ESG Dive
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Kentucky
Kentucky's Senate on March 15 passed SB 349, which creates the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission. The group would analyze the state's energy needs through an economic lens and influence Public Service Commission decisions. The Courier-Journal
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U.S.
Three-fourths of U.S. households cannot install rooftop solar, whether from unsuitable roofs or lack of homeownership. Solar Power World
U.S.
Families in New Mexico, Illinois, and Washington D.C. will now Have Access to Community Solar Through HHS's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. U.S. Department of Energy
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U.S.
Ohm Analytics reported that the 2.3 GW of distributed generation, which includes rooftop solar, deployed in Q4 2023 marked the end of a long period of growth. Roth MKM warns that if a turnaround does not occur soon, residential solar could decline by 20% to 30% in 2024. pv Magazine
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U.S.
States are looking at passing "climate superfund" laws that treat disasters as if they were a toxic dump whose cleanup can be charged to the corporation that caused them. CleanTechnica
U.S.
For the fourth year in a row, President Biden is trying to eliminate federal tax breaks for coal, oil and gas companies. But fossil fuel subsidies have proven difficult to stop. New York Times
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U.S.
A few years ago, the idea of deliberately blocking the sun to combat climate change was taboo for scientists. But a lot can change in a short time. New York Times
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Hawaiʻi
A Senate Bill seeking to fund geothermal energy exploration in Hawai?i is moving through the State House of Representatives. Big Island Video News
Idaho
Southern Idaho is home to several unique geological features, including the Idaho Batholith. That granite body helps produce Boise's geothermal energy. KTVB 7
Illinois
Blacks in Green, an environmental justice non-profit, is spearheading a planned geothermal system in the West Woodlawn neighborhood in Chicago's South Side. Think GeoEnergy
International
The National Hydrocarbons Agency of Colombia is preparing for Colombia's first round of geothermal energy auctions by the 2nd quarter of 2024. Think GeoEnergy
International
As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, it is imperative for the Philippines to develop sustainable sources of energy. Having access to renewable energy is crucial for the country's future as its use will significantly aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. OneNetwork
Texas
Chevron is pursuing geothermal pilots in California and Japan as it tests new technologies that could extract heat from underground for energy use at the surface, CEO Mike Wirth said Tuesday during CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston. Houston Chronicle
Texas
Houston knows how
to dig holes. Perhaps when historians look back at this great city, when it has either returned to wetland prairie and piney woods or has advanced to its rightful place among the great cities of the world, it won't be oil and gas per se that define us, but our general knack for poking, cracking, extracting and moving all manner of molecules into and out of the earth. Houston Chronicle
U.S.
The release of the report, "Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Next-Generation Geothermal Power", by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) marks a pivotal moment in the recognition of geothermal innovation as a cornerstone for accelerating global decarbonization. Clean Air Task Force
U.S.
Three of the world's largest energy buyers - Google, Microsoft, and Nucor - will aggregate demand to accelerate projects in geothermal and other renewables. Think GeoEnergy
U.S.
A new bipartisan bill submitted by US senators seeks to expedite the permitting process for geothermal by applying exclusions already in place for oil and gas. Think GeoEnergy
Utah
Geothermal developers are drilling for zero-carbon sources of energy that can provide electricity consistently around the clock. The Salt Lake Tribune
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International
Ancillary services have allowed battery storage systems worldwide to garner revenue from managing frequency deviations in the grid. Markets in Asia should redesign to better accommodate ancillary services to cash in, Kashish Shah, senior research analyst for Energy Storage APAC, writes Wood Mackenzie
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International
A wholesale move to hydrogen will need significant new demand, which could only come with investments in infrastructure to reduce the cost. Reuters
International
There's enough natural hydrogen trapped underground to meet all projected demands for hundreds of years. An unpublished report by the US Geological Survey identifies it as a new primary resource, and fires the starter pistol on a new gold rush. Hydrogen Central
International
The purpose of the now sacked Hydrogen Turbine 1 (HT1) project was to explore the potential of generating hydrogen from offshore windfarms and transporting it to shore. Hydrogen Fuel News
New York
This funding will be allotted to support clean hydrogen research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects; and it can also help leverage federal hydrogen funding opportunities to promote the use of clean hydrogen in industrial processes, clean transportation, energy storage and for grid support. Solar Power World
U.S.
Green and blue hydrogen could be cost-competitive with natural gas as early as 2030 thanks to existing policy support and tax credits, according to analysis released this week by The Brattle Group. The Department of Energy believes national demand for hydrogen could reach 50 million metric tons by 2050. But to meet this demand would require an additional 700 GW of renewable energy -- equivalent to about two thirds of today's total U.S. generating capacity. Utility Dive
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Arizona
To fight climate change, the world needs copper. The third largest deposit on the planet is in Arizona, a site the San Carlos Apache say is "like Mount Sinai to us." Grist
U.S.
Once the world's top aluminum producer, the U.S. is now making much less of it -- just as cleantech industries drive up demand for the metal and advocates try to drive its emissions down. Canary Media
U.S.
Once the world's top aluminum producer, the U.S. is now making much less of it -- just as cleantech industries drive up demand for the metal and advocates try to drive its emissions down. Canary Media
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California
City of Palo Alto, Calif., decides to move ahead with natural gas ban despite court cases The Palo Alto Daily Post
California
Criticism of California program for "bio-gas" as it rewards the most polluting dairy and hog farms that pipe tons of animal shit into ponds that pollute the area - those are tapped to capture methane for the energy system. CalMatters
California
Pacific Gas & Electric wants ratepayers to cover $94.2 million test of adding hydrogen to its natural gas sytem. Manteca Bulletin
California
This approach could mark a significant advancement in power to gas technology and underscores the viability of potential for synthetic biomethane to help decarbonize natural gas infrastructure and its end uses from residential heating to manufacturing industries and transportation. Hydrogen Central
Indiana
AES Indiana plans to convert coal plants to natural gas in request filed with state regulators. Daily Energy Insider
International
Columbia University analysis on how natural gas price has impacted industrial demand in EU - still hasn't bounced back despite declines between 2022 and 2023 Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA
International
Saudi Arabian state oil company chief says energy transition is failing - questions IEA projections that oil/gas demand will peak by 2030. The New York Times
International
Gas executives expect low prices will mean more demand for LNG around the world. Natural Gas World
International
Executives say Europe needs to invest more in gas infrastructure to completely get out of using Russian natural gas Reuters
International
Mitsubishi, Sempra, Total Energies, Tokyo Gas and others join coalition for electric natural gas, which is cleaner burning and synthetic and produced by hydrogen and CO2 Nasdaq
Louisiana
Environmental justice organization chief asks FERC to pay attention to her local community on Louisiana's Gulf Coast and its large share of oil and gas infrastructure with new LNG projects proposed Common Dreams
Maine
Virdi Energy spending $ on infrastructure to deliver bio natural gas to Mainers Reuters
Massachusetts
A look at climate benefits of repairing leaky natural gas delivery systems instead of banning them NewBostonPost
Massachusetts
Radio segment on Massachusetts plans for natural gas industry future in light of climate goals TPR - The Public's Radio
Minnesota
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted last month to require long-range resource planning from the state's three largest gas utilities. Gas utilities will need to periodically submit plans showing load forecasts under various scenarios and how they will meet demand in a way that's safe, reliable, affordable and in line with the state's policies. Energy News Network
National
DOE is working with export countries to come up with firmer estimates of GHG impacts on LNG Exports E&E News by POLITICO
National
EQT executive warns lack of pipes and storage will lead to massive regional price swings in coming years. Gas demand up 50% from 2010, but pipelines grown by just 25% and storage 10%. EnerCom Inc.
National
Oil and gas industry at CERA wants to keep on drilling, but to minimize methane emissions. E&E News by POLITICO
National
EIA summary of 2023 oil and gas mergers sees highest number of deals in a decade EIA
National
Cheap natural gas might give the energy industry some issues, but are good for the whole economy Bloomberg
National
A lengthy investigative piece into the safety issues around LNG export facilities, including incidents in recent years CNN
National
Intrastate pipelines grew by 5.2 BCF/day of capacity last year, while FERC-regulated interstate pipelines just 1 BCF/day BIC Magazine
National
CATO's Fisher argues that FERC members should focus on NGA's terms when it comes to natural gas pipelines Cato Institute
National
Economic analysis finds that residential consumers have seen prices rise more than DOE estimated when approving major gas exports IEEFA
New Mexico
Commissioners honed in on the big price tag, few benefits in their final order. Source
NM
New York
New York legislators weighing bill that would cap natural gas costs at 6% of some residents' income and would stop utilities from spending ratepayer money on system expansion WGRZ.com
New York
New York State legislation would expand anti-fracking law to include new technique that involves injecting liquid CO2 in the ground to get gas out Times Union
North Carolina
Duke Energy has unveiled its plans for a new natural gas plant in Catawba County, part of the utility's transition away from coal that nonetheless shows its continued reliance on other fossil fuels. Duke filed an application to construct a new plant with the N.C. Utilities Commission recently. It would contain two units, for a total capacity of 850 megawatts, to replace the existing Marshall Steam Station. One of Duke's largest plants in the Carolinas, Marshall currently burns both coal and natural gas. NC Newsline
North Carolina
Environmental advocates concerned about utility's continued reliance on fossil fuels. NC Newsline
North Carolina
A look into Duke's plans to replace two aging coal plants with new natural gas units, which critics say would imperil the state's mid century carbon goals Raleigh News & Observer
Oklahoma
Deep dive into Oklahoma AG's investigation into Winter Storm Uri's impact on natural gas markets. Oklahoman.com
Oregon
The Public Utilities Commission rejected all three plans, saying they were 'unreasonably optimistic' about future gas demand. Oregon Capital Chronicle
Virginia
Dominion proposed the natural gas plant last summer as part of its non-binding, long-term planning document, called an Integrated Resource Plan, as a way to meet an expected increase in electric grid load growth, largely due to data center development in the state, more electric vehicle use and efforts to boost homes' energy efficiency. Virginia Mercury
Virginia
Democractic legislators oppose Dominion plans to build new natural gas plant in Richmond suburb. Loudoun Times-Mirror
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Arizona
About 30 million tons of uranium ore were mined at more than 500 sites on Navajo lands during the Cold War between 1944 and 1986. Many of those sites have never been cleaned up. Bloomberg Law
International
Despite the seeming revival of nuclear energy production today, very few of the countries that produce nuclear energy have defined a long-term strategy for managing highly radioactive spent fuel into the future. The Conversation
International
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said that while the process to construct these facilities will be much faster, they will not be excluded from federal environmental reviews. The Cool Down
International
How the SMR pipeline is shaping up after NuScale's cancellation. Wood
Mackenzie
New York
Shuttering of New York's Indian Point raises awkward climate crisis questions as gas -- not renewables -- fills gap in power generation The Guardian
U.S.
The bill includes more than $1.68 billion for the Office of Nuclear Energy's research and development activities. Pivotally, $2.72 billion was also provided to build out our advanced nuclear fuel supply chain. U.S. Department of Energy
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Connecticut
Some Connecticut lawmakers worry if DEEP cannot procure new offshore wind in 2024, the state could lose spots in the supply chain to other developments in the U.S. and worldwide, potentially pushing back the offshore wind timeline by three to five years, or more. WSHU
International
Amazon's latest commitment is to match all the electricity powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. To date, it has contracted 54,000 GWh of renewable energy from Iberdrola. Renewables Now
International
The feeder spread, which includes two tugs and two barges, will be built by Bollinger Shipyards, the largest privately owned shipyard group in the US, and owned and operated by ECO. offshoreWIND.biz
International
To squeeze more energy out of the wind, turbines are getting bigger and bigger. That means that ships capable of installing them are in growing demand. And at the moment, the fleet isn't expanding quickly enough. Yahoo
International
RWE, in a joint venture with National Grid, is developing the Community Offshore Wind project off the coast of New York. Reuters
Maine
The bill is emerging as the first source of debate over Gov. Janet Mills' selection of Sears Island as the preferred site of a wind terminal on the Midcoast, which faces an extensive permitting environmental assessment process. Maine Public
Maine
Labor unions and renewable energy advocates are at odds with some conservation groups over a proposal to locate a port for Maine's burgeoning floating offshore wind power industry on Sears Island in Penobscot Bay. Maine Beacon
Massachusetts
A third party administrator -- with the help of fishing representatives -- will decide how to divide up a $19.1 million pot through the Fisheries Compensatory Mitigation Program to Massachusetts fishermen. WBUR
Massachusetts
Ocean Winds, a 50:50 joint venture between ENGIE and EDP Renewables, said it continues a partnership strategy in the US and intends to bring in a new 50 per cent partner ahead of the final investment decision for SouthCoast Wind. offshoreWIND.biz
New Jersey
Many of the headwinds the sector faced stemmed from broader post-pandemic conditions -- such as inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain issues and more -- that strained many projects conceived during the pre-pandemic period. NJBIZ
Pennsylvania
Legislation would allow the state lease tracts of lakebed and collect royalties for electricity generation. Pennsylvania Capital-Star
U.S.
The U.S. Department of Energy offers an optimistic look at the industry in 2024 after a challenging 2023. U.S. Department of Energy
U.S.
The Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study, conducted by researchers from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, analyzed various potential scenarios for offshore transmission off the Atlantic coast of United States. Reve
U.S.
Collaboration with offshore-wind companies helps biologists uncover new information about migratory birds, bats and even butterflies. U.S. Fish annd Wildlife Service
U.S.
The growth and rapid evolution of the offshore wind industry and the introduction of new, US Jones Act-compliant offshore wind vessels mean that wind operations may involve the use of Jones Act seamen, maritime employees, and other non-maritime employees. North American Clean Energy
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Texas
The comments by a Saudi executive raised questions regarding whose predictions about the future of oil and gas are more likely to be true. New York Times
U.S.
Abandoned oil and gas wells often pollute groundwater and leak methane into the atmosphere, helping to drive climate change. Congress approved $4.7 billion in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law to plug them, but there are no state or federal requirements to revisit those plugs and ensure the wells aren't leaking. Bloomberg Law
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U.S.
The WindRunner could revolutionize renewable energy by transporting gigantic wind turbine blades from point A to B. New York Post
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International
In the Tracking COP28 Outcomes report, IRENA said that annual investments in renewable power generation must surge from $570 billion in 2023 to $1,550 billion on average between 2024 and 2030. pv Magazine
Michigan
The Michigan Public Service Commission held a second public meeting March 19 to walk through guidelines and take input on its renewable energy and energy storage siting plans. UpNorthLive
Nebraska
State Sen. Tom Brewer, a longtime opponent of wind energy, describes his Legislative Bill 399 as a much-amended effort that would give neighbors to a planned wind farm a chance to meet with the developers. But environmental groups see something more ominous: extra requirements on wind and solar energy projects that could frustrate expansion of such renewable energy. Nebraska Examiner
Oregon
The rules, which govern how distributed energy resources can connect to the electric distribution grid, are the product of a collaborative working group process and include an array of recommendations proposed by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
Batteries allow renewables to replace fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, while keeping a steady flow of power when sources like wind and solar are not producing. The Associated Press
U.S.
Regulatory and policy changes will be necessary for targeted electrification and gas decommissioning to achieve a scale that would support meaningful cost savings for gas ratepayers, according to Energy + Environmental Economics (E3). Utility Dive
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Maine
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. will manage feedstock collection and delivery logistics for an estimated 85,000 tons of biosolids per year collected from a network of wastewater treatment plants. Business Wire
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International
Chinese solar manufacturer Longi has responded to recent media reports claiming that it might cut 30% of its global workforce. pv Magazine
International
Solar power is scaling up to levels that make it central to a clean energy transition. My colleagues and I believe that solar development should proceed in a way that reflects ecological thinking. In our view, an ecovoltaic approach to solar can produce positive ecological outcomes and make solar energy even more sustainable, writes Matthew Sturchio, a Ph.D. student in plant and ecosystem ecology at Colorado State University. The Conversation
International
Sinovoltaics is studying the changes in the supply chains in manufacturing hubs in Europe and North America to determine site capacity, current and planned, for dozens of manufacturers. pv Magazine
International
China's Longi looks to slash costs as renewable energy sector faces tough headwinds from inflation The Guardian
Texas
The clean energy resource has made huge leaps but faces obstacles and drawbacks. The Dallas Morning News
U.S.
But market fundamentals, not the IRA's prevailing wage requirements, are to blame, experts told Solar Builder Magazine. Solar Builder Magazine
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Arizona
U.S. nonprofit electric utility Salt River Project and clean power firm NextEra Energy Resources have commissioned two solar-plus-storage plants in Arizona, adding 348 MW of solar generation to SRP's grid. Renewables Now
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Alaska
Researchers suggested that Alaska could deploy modular pumped storage hydropower to "reduce [project] costs by standardizing the design, manufacturing, construction, and operation." Utility Dive
International
According to a new report from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, the worldwide aggregated battery storage capacity in the C&I segment will reach 124 GWh by 2030. North American Clean Energy
International
In the eight weeks following the bulk dispatch relaunch, energy consultant Modo Energy published data confirming a 47% increase in weekly battery storage dispatched volume. In January 2024, National Grid ESO relaunched bulk dispatch for battery energy storage units in the Balancing Mechanism following its closure in December 2023 due to technical issues. The Solar Power Portal
International
Researchers in Italy have estimated the profitability of future vanadium redox flow batteries based on real device and market parameters and found that market evolutions are heading to much more competitive systems, with capital costs down to EUR260/kWh at a storage duration of 10 hours. pv Magazine
International
Lithium ion is the industry standard for a reason. Let's examines the most promising technological advances that could lead to further improvements in performance and cost from this versatile battery chemistry. pv Magazine
International
The first installations featuring the Tesla Powerwall 3 are currently being completed in the United States, with the company promoting a fully integrated solar-plus-storage and electric vehicle residential system, with big backup power capacity. pv Magazine
International
Lithium batteries are very difficult to recycle and require huge amounts of water and energy to produce. Emerging alternatives could be cheaper and greener. BBC
International
InfoLink's global lithium ion battery supply chain database indicates that the energy storage market experienced a severe surplus and a growing price war in 2023. Despite these forces, market momentum is supporting relatively rapid expansion. pv Magazine
Maryland
Maryland would extend for two years a tax credit for the installation of residential or commercial energy storage systems under legislation passed by the state Senate. Law360
Texas
Batteries can't distinguish between clean and dirty electrons -- a complication for transitioning grids. A Texas battery project shows how software and standards can help. Canary Media
Texas
Batteries can't distinguish between clean and dirty electrons -- a complication for transitioning grids. A Texas battery project shows how software and standards can help. Canary Media
U.S.
The stationary BESS industry has been reactive in most aspects, reeling to control project economics and schedules. But the industry as a whole has learned several lessons and proactive measures to implement. Energy Storage News
U.S.
The operating capacity of battery storage in the U.S. grew by 7.9 GW last year, bringing the country's cumulative installed base to 17 GW by the end of 2023. Energy Storage News
U.S.
The U.S. energy storage market reached a new deployment high in the final quarter of 2023, with 4,236 MW installed -- a 100% increase from Q3, according to a new report from Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association. Solar Power World
U.S.
Before the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, DOE predicted 50 GW of energy storage development by 2040. New DOE analysis puts that amount at 200 GW. Energy Storage News
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New York
Multiyear, $4B Initiative will Improve Grid Resilience,
Deliver Significant Benefits for Customers, Local Economies. North American Clean Energy
U.S.
A 2022 Princeton University report found that more than 80% of the IRA's emissions reductions could be lost if transmission expansion doesn't pick up beyond its recent rate of about 1% annually. TIME
U.S.
Funding Will Develop Tools to Clear Interconnection Queues and Improve Reliability During Extreme Weather Disruptions. U.S. Department of Energy
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International
The scale of the project transforming swathes of barren salt desert on the edge of western India into one of the most important sources of clean energy anywhere on the planet is so overwhelming that the man in charge can't keep up. CNN
New Hampshire
A bill calls for the New Hampshire Department of Energy to draft and assess rules that would create a uniform policy for all utilities to use, with the goal of making the process smoother and more predictable. New Hampshire Bulletin
U.S.
A growing alternative to using land solely for solar power generation is agrivoltaics, combining agriculture and solar power on the same piece of land. News From The States
West Virginia
FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison have begun construction on their second utility-grade solar site in West Virginia. The Rivesville solar site in Marion County will be situated along Morgan Ridge Road on approximately 27 acres. Once installed, the solar panels there will produce up to 5.5 MW of renewable power. North American Clean Energy
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