NetZero Insider’s resources Intelligence Report often highlights wind and solar, but this week we’re also going to show some love to geothermal, which could be an important contributor to helping the U.S. add 700-900 GW of clean firm capacity by 2050.
According to the Department of Energy’s latest Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report, it could get 90 GW from next-gen geothermal — and up to 300 GW depending on the development of storage capabilities and other emerging technologies.
Geothermal also received increased attention during the recent CERAWeek in Houston, where it was raised repeatedly as a potential pathway for
transition for oil and gas companies.
And it’s attracting attention in Minnesota, as well, where it’s emerging as a go-to technology for St. Paul Public Schools as the district seeks to renovate aging facilities in line with its climate action plan. In addition, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority last week awarded a $4.7 million loan to The Heights Community Energy, which plans to build and operate a district geothermal energy system at The Heights development on the East Side of St. Paul.
Storage also deserves a mention this week. Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association reported the U.S. energy storage market shattered previous records for deployment across all segments in the final quarter of 2023, with 4,236 MW installed — double the amount in Q3.
Resource adequacy was on the minds of RTO and NERC executives who gathered in D.C. for the Electric Power Supply Association’s Competitive Power Summit last week. NetZero Insider’s James Downing reported on officials’ concerns that nuclear, gas and coal plant retirements could threaten reliability.
Thus it was welcome news for many, K Kaufmann says, when the Biden administration approved a $1.5 billion loan to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan, which shut down two years ago.
Our reporters also were on top of the latest offshore wind developments, with correspondent Hugh Morley reporting on the federal government’s approval of New York’s 924-MW Sunrise Wind project. Morley also reports that the developer of New Jersey’s most advanced offshore wind project is pushing ahead
with a second project, as the state prepares to launch a new solicitation that could add as much as 4 GW in capacity.
And Jon Lamson tells us the coordinated offshore wind procurements of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island received a total of 5,454 MW in bids from four developers, falling short of the 6,000-MW solicitation cap.
What’s the best way to deliver all that offshore wind energy to loads? Downing and Rich Heidorn Jr. report on a DOE study that says an interregional transmission network could produce almost $1.6 billion in generation savings and improved reliability annually versus radial lines.
Finally, our curated coverage also includes two stories on the debate over the future of natural gas.
E&E News reported on a study by research firm Energy Innovation: Policy and Innovation arguing utilities likely could meet growing demand with renewable electricity and energy efficiency instead of building new gas plants.
But the head of the American Gas Association said U.S. residential and commercial demand for natural gas still is rising, despite state climate policies.
All this and more in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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International
It is estimated that 30% of the world's terrestrial carbon stocks are found in the boreal forest, 60% of which is below ground. Organic soil horizons contain about one-third of the soil carbon. Phys.org
Iowa
State regulators should pause their final deliberations over Summit Carbon Solutions' pipeline permit so they can review how the company's recently announced expansion plans will affect it, the influential Iowa Farm Bureau Federation says. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Louisiana
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
Louisiana
The Department of Energy is giving the green light to Project Cypress, a cluster of facilities in southwest Louisiana that will filter carbon dioxide directly from the air and store it underground. HeatMap
New York
The vote is a new win for the state's anti-fracking movement, which sees the novel process as a way to skirt a ban it pushed through ten years ago, and heads off a Texas-based company that says it would produce net-zero natural gas and sequester carbon dioxide. Inside Climate News
North Dakota
The North Dakota Republican Party will vote on a resolution that backs the rights of landowners and objects to using eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. Nebraska Examiner
U.S.
SLB and Aker Carbon Capture will combine technology portfolios, expertise and operations platforms to bring carbon capture solutions to market more quickly and more economically Yahoo! Finance
U.S.
Lego Group plans to double its annual spending on emissions reduction and sustainability measures between 2023 and 2025, investing a total of $1.4 billion over the period. GreenBiz
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Virginia
Two bills that would expand the public's access to shared solar in Virginia are awaiting a signature from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. They would increase the number of projects allowable under the shared solar program in Dominion territory, and also add measures that could lower the minimum charge. A separate bill would create a shared solar program in Appalachian Power Company territory throughout Southwest Virginia. Virginia Mercury
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U.S.
With load growth in the news, a South by Southwest panel examined how VPPs can address it Canary Media
U.S.
LEAP releases new DER management software meant to make it easier for resources to sign up, participate Power Online
U.S.
Deep dive into how price responsive demand could help the grid and what barriers remain to it Yahoo Finance/Utility Dive
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International
Technologies to slow global warming by manipulating the environment are rapidly advancing, but some experts want to pump the brakes. Inside Climate News
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Alaska
The Makushin geothermal project in Unalaska, Alaska can still progress despite the setbacks, although under a different structure led by the local government. Think GeoEnergy
International
An increased focus on geothermal energy during the recent CERAWeek in Houston bodes well for geothermal's growing prominence on the global energy stage. Think GeoEnergy
Minnesota
Geothermal heating and cooling is emerging as a go-to technology for St. Paul Public Schools as it seeks to renovate aging facilities in line with the district's climate action plan. Minnesota's second-largest school district is also one of the city's largest property owners, with 73 buildings containing more than 7.7 million square feet. Its climate action plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at least 45% by 2030. Energy News Network
Minnesota
Today, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) awarded a $4.7 million loan, the first for MnCIFA, to The Heights Community Energy, who plans to construct and operate a district geothermal energy system at The Heights development on the East Side of Saint Paul. St. Paul Minnesota News
New York
Brightcore Energy has secured a new incentive program under Con Edison that will subsidize Thermal Conductivity Testing for GSHP projects. Think GeoEnergy
Texas
Texas has become an early hot spot for geothermal energy exploration as scores of former oil industry workers and executives are taking their knowledge to a new energy source. Texas Tribune
Texas
In 2009, on a plot of shrub-covered cattle land about 45 miles northwest of McAllen, Shell buried and abandoned a well it drilled to look for gas. The well turned out to be a dry hole. Vegetation grew back over the site. Click 2 Houston
U.S.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the release of its latest Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report, focusing on the potential of next-generation geothermal power to transform the US energy landscape. Energy Global
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Kentucky
An Eastern Kentucky coal mining site set to become a giant hydropower battery is getting a significant boost from the federal government. Florida-based Rye Development is in line for an $81 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for its Lewis Ridge Pumped Storage Project. Kentucky Lantern
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Texas
Supporters say developing hydrogen as a fuel is critical to slowing climate change. Critics are concerned that producing it with fossil fuels will prop up the oil and gas industry. Texas Tribune
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U.S.
Direct lithium extraction has been touted as a more environmentally friendly way to mine the resource needed for EV batteries. But the technology is largely untested and could impact already limited water supplies in the Southwest. Inside Climate News
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California
Berkeley repeals landmark natural gas ban after it settles federal lawsuit that it lost at the Ninth Circuit The New York Times
Florida
Noptero builds landfill gas production plant in Vero Beach, Fla - first in its region. WPEC
Louisiana
To make south Louisiana's oil and gas infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather, Entergy Louisiana wants to build a $441 million natural gas power plant at the mouth of Bayou Lafourche. Louisiana Illuminator
New York
A look into legislation NY might pass soon that would limit natural gas utilities' obligation to serve in service of fighting climate change The New York Times
South Carolina
South Carolina House passes bill that would require regulators to approve major new natural gas power plant from Dominion/Santeee Cooper News From The States
Texas
Arlington, Texas City Councilors would reject new natural gas production in city, but state law blocks them from doing so Fort Worth Report
Texas
San Antonio muni is buying two nearby natural gas plants under a plan approved by the city Yahoo
Finance
U.S.
President Biden halted approvals for new exports of liquefied natural gas to study its effect on the climate, national security and the economy. Major oil- and gas-producing states are angry. The New York Times
U.S.
Addressing the U.S.'s consumption of natural gas is more important to the climate than restricting LNG exports, argues Philippe Benoit, managing director at Global Infrastructure Advisory Services 2050. The Hill
U.S.
New campaign from environmentalists pushes back against concept of natural gas as a "bridge fuel" By Reuters - Investing.com
U.S.
Video details lawsuit from 16 state AGs against Biden's LNG approval pause Yahoo News UK
U.S.
FERC opens NOI after pipeline customers complain about packaging disparate segments of capacity together in auctions for service (claim was it forced them to pay for unneeded capacity) The National Law Review
U.S.
FERC approved two new pipelines - East Tennessee and Transco Natural Gas
Intelligence
U.S.
EQT, US' largest producer of natural gas, expects data center demand will drive demand for natural gas in power sector Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
BLM finalizing rule to limit methane emissions from natural gas/oil drilling on federal lands Yahoo Finance/Bloomberg
U.S.
Report by research firm Energy Innovation: Policy and Innovation argues that utilities could likely meet growing demand with renewable electricity and energy efficiency instead of building new gas plants. E&E News by POLITICO
U.S.
AGA CEO sees natural gas demand growing, despite policy push to cut back in some states Natural Gas Intelligence
Washington State
Gov. Inslee is expected to sign bill that requires Puget Sound Energy to start planning for move away from natural gas Big Country News
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Michigan
Report out of Michigan argues nukes, natural gas are better for dealing with climate change reliably and affordably than renewables The Center Square
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Michigan
Members of Michigan's bipartisan Nuclear Energy Legislative Caucus have introduced a package of bills looking to spur the development of nuclear energy within the state. Last week, several state representatives announced a slate of five bills that would define advanced nuclear reactors -- also referred to as small modular reactors -- within state law, clarify siting requirements, and create programs to support the development of the nuclear and hydrogen energy industry. Michigan Advance
Texas
A nuclear power plant hasn't been built in Texas in decades because of cost and public fears of a major accident. Now the governor wants to find out if smaller reactors could meet the state's growing need for on-demand power. Texas Tribune
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U.S.
The push to commercialize artificial intelligence is swelling the electricity demands of the three biggest cloud computing companies -- Amazon, Google and Microsoft -- and they're looking for carbon-free energy, including nuclear and geothermal, to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from that growth. GreenBiz
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Florida
Florida legislature is about to ban offshore wind turbines in state waters, which wouldn't be put there to begin with, to protect the beaches. Excluding hurricanes, of course, Florida doesn't have sufficient wind power, either onshore or offshore, that, say, states in the US Northeast or Texas have to sustain a wind power industry. That's why Florida has no wind farms - either onshore or offshore. The Sunshine State is a US solar power leader. Electrek
International
The offshore wind industry is apparently not satisfied with producing carbon-free renewable energy. They are also cleaning up around the edges, too. One area of attention is the replacement of dirty petroleum fuels used by the working vessels that ferry crews and equipment to offshore construction sites. Electrification is on the menu as a long term solution, and in the meantime alternative fuels are getting attention. CleanTechnica
Massachusetts
A move to designate two million acres in the Gulf of Maine as a hub for wind energy is snagging a sharp hook from Massachusetts fishermen who say the development overlooks risks to the North Atlantic right whale. A handful of Bay State fishermen advocacy groups are teaming with counterparts from across New England in criticizing the Biden administration's plans to industrialize the area off the coasts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Boston Herald
New Jersey
To find policy solutions that work for both communities and industries, it's critical to continue bringing offshore wind and transmission developers together with all the companies needed to create a 100% clean energy future in New Jersey, writes Heather O'Neill, CEO of Advanced Energy United. Asbury Park Press
North Carolina
The cost of potential wind farms off North Carolina's coast -- and what Duke Energy customers end up paying for them -- will be heavily influenced by an N.C. Utilities Commission decision later this year, a TotalEnergies official says. Raleigh News & Observer
U.S.
Limited accessible shallow water seabed along the U.S. Atlantic and strong state demand all point in the right direction for the offshore wind sector after a tumultuous 2023, according to a new report by industry intelligence firm Aegir Insights. Mid-Atlantic and northeastern states have set some 53 GW of offshore wind procurement targets over the next decade, yet available acreage in federal waters would allow only 50 GW of development. Recharge
Virginia
Avangrid Renewables recently renewed its pitch to the City Council for easements needed to connect its offshore wind project to the grid. But Sandbridge residents who oppose the cable landfall in their neighborhood still have unanswered questions about the proposal. The Virginian Pilot
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Massachusetts
To coordinate communities' transition off fossil fuels and onto clean energy, Massachusetts established an Office of Energy Transformation, it announced March 15. The office, which Massachusetts says is the nation's first of its kind, will focus on ensuring adequate electric infrastructure as demand increases; coordinating with gas and electric utilities to maintain reliability, safety and affordability throughout the transition; and preparing workers and businesses for the transition. Smart Cities Dive
U.S.
As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced up to $475 million in funding for five projects in Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to accelerate clean energy deployment on current and former mine land. This funding -- made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law -- will support a variety of diverse, locally-driven clean energy projects that can be replicated in current and former mining communities across the country. Department of Energy
U.S.
As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced up to $22 million to improve planning, siting and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities. Six state-based projects will receive $10 million through the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning program to develop and expand statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings and technical resources to local governments and communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. Department of Energy
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California
The California Public Utilities Commission has passed a decision allowing distributed renewable energy resources like residential solar and battery energy storage to interconnect to the grid without triggering grid impacts that require costly infrastructure upgrades. pv magazine
Michigan
Legislation introduced this month in the state Senate aims to create new state rebates for installing solar power and battery storage systems at home, with the goal of lowering costs and creating new incentives for Michiganders who make the shift to renewable energy. The ‘Gander
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International
Janet Yellen warned in a March 27 speech that China's surplus of clean energy products is depressing prices in global markets and squeezing U.S. green manufacturing. After years of clean energy investment, China has an excess of solar power, EVs and lithium-ion batteries, allowing it to export those products at cheaper prices to markets around the world. CNBC
U.S.
Walmart has furthered its commitment to renewable energy, announcing two large deals to add both utility and community-scale solar in numerous locations across the United States. The retail giant has state plans to add 1 GW of on-site clean energy such as solar and energy storage by the end of 2030. Walmart has also taken on a role as a community solar investor and has a plan to add 2 GW of these types of projects, which typically enable electric ratepayers to subscribe to a portion of an off-site solar project. pv magazine
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Illinois
Two bills that would regulate battery disposal and storage are awaiting action from the full Illinois Senate after unanimous committee approval. Senate Bill 3481, sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency by February 2026. Senate Bill 3686, sponsored by Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, would require battery producers and importers to implement an IEPA approved battery stewardship plan starting in 2026. Capitol News Illinois
Maine
Existing energy storage resources, combined with stand-alone energy storage projects and storage paired with generation projects in the ISO New England interconnection queue, should together result in Maine meeting its short-term energy storage goal, according to a report the state's Public Utilities Commission released this month. A state law requires Maine to have 300 MW of energy storage capacity by 2025 and 400 MW by 2030. Utility Dive
Minnesota
A state study released this month says the batteries are a necessary piece of plans to be carbon-free by 2040. Minnesota Star Tribune
U.S.
The U.S. energy storage market shattered previous records for deployment across all segments in the final quarter of 2023, with 4,236 megawatts installed over the period, a 100% increase from Q3 according to a new report. Wood Mackenzie
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Indiana
Hoosier farmers are seeing the economic benefits of leasing their land for renewable energy development, but additional transmission lines are needed for further growth. New lines will give new farmers the opportunity to deliver their wind and solar "crop" to market, while also spurring a host of economic benefits for their neighbors. It's time to develop the next generation of grid infrastructure needed to unleash the tremendous potential of our available resources to support Indiana families, writes Sarah Beth Aubrey, founder of the Indiana Agriculture Coalition for Renewable Energy. Indiana Capital Chronicle
Minnesota
A simple technology that can make the grid more efficient has gained traction in Europe, but not the United States -- until now. Inside Climate News
New York
National Grid, which serves Massachusetts and New York State, said March 20 it is investing $4 billion to upgrade upstate New York's power grid. That money will go toward 70 projects, which will include building substations and rebuilding more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines connecting towns near Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. National Grid plans to roll out these projects over the course of six years. Utility Dive
U.S.
Granholm says controversial energy efficiency rule for distribution system transformers has been adjusted, final rule due in June Yahoo Finance/Utility Dive
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Nevada
Several conservation groups are asking the federal government to cancel a proposed utility-scale solar energy development, arguing the project will cause significant impacts to the imperiled Mojave desert tortoise. Nevada Current
Ohio
The Ohio Power Siting Board approved a 6,000 acre solar energy project in Madison County on March 21. Known as Oak Run, it's the largest solar power generation facility approved in Ohio to date, according to a review of approved projects, and possibly one of the largest in the country. However, some local elected officials and community members aren't happy with the decision. WYSO Public Radio
West Virginia
Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia has vetoed a bill that aimed to expand the size of solar plants that electric utilities can build. The bill, known as HB 5528, sought to attract new businesses and industries to the state. It would have doubled the potential size of a solar plant to 100 megawatts, while maintaining the total cap at 200 MW per utility. The bill also removed the sunset provision, giving utilities more time to build facilities. WVNews
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