Caroline Winn

Additional stress being placed on grid transformers is contributing to outages and higher distribution charges as utilities are forced to upgrade and replace transformers. Studies have found that sub-metering behind the meter results in 35% less usage; and transformer monitoring can result in intelligent transformer maintenance preventing outages.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continues its investment in improving the nations interconnection process with a focus on advancing AI technology in the space. GridUnity looks forward to being a part of this important initiative.

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Interesting read on near term electricity reliability planning - growth of intermittent capacity; asset shifts; growing cyber-threats; sector-coupling gas & grid; inter-regional capacity markets and demand growth. A lot to digest. In my view, district energy systems fit perfectly in the mix to support cities, communities and campuses as the energy transition unfolds. https://lnkd.in/eFQr9uGs

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Capacity market prices for energy in PJM surged, signaling a crucial demand for additional generation. PJM Interconnection's footprint is set to allocate $14.7 billion for capacity in the 2025/26 delivery year, a substantial rise from $2.2 billion in the previous auction. Stay informed about the energy sector's evolving landscape: [Link to the article] #EnergyMarket #CapacityAuction #PJMInterconnection

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Events like this with California having 1 - 6 hours with 100% of power demand met by wind, water and solar is interesting shows the massive buildout of solar. This shows almost anything is technically feasible, but a very important question is this. What is the cost to customers to achieve this using intermittent resources to meet and always needed demand? A hint of that answer is California has the 2nd highest power prices for residential customers in the Continental U.S. at 29.7 cents/kWh (second only to Rhode Island), which is 91% higher than the U.S. average residential rates of 15.5 cents/kWh. A notion of the cost of build-up to this level of solar is California's residential power costs have rise 50% since 2019 while the U.S. average is up only 25%. Such a power cost from this type of resource mix would cause significant quality of life and economic harm to average families if it occurred here in Florida where average residential power costs are 14.8 cents/kWh, where 75% of our electricity comes from natural gas generation. Yes, we are adding solar, but it will be done in measured amounts so as not to impact customers bills significantly. In a state like Florida that has the highest percentage of fixed and low income families in the country due to the retirees, price really matters. Add to it that Florida families use twice as much electricity as those in California or New York, and you understand why the 33 Member cities that make up Florida Municipal Power Agency and together serve 3 million Floridians or 14% of the state's population focus on providing low cost, reliable power while be sustainable. That is a more balanced approach that meets the economic and quality of life needs for all customers, not just those whose incomes can afford much higher cost of energy. #affordableenergy

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Today, Edison International published Reaching Net Zero, a forward-looking analysis that reinforces the urgent need for public-private collaboration, enhanced efficiencies and significant investment in clean firm generation to meet California’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.   While California’s clean energy future is within reach, it is not assured. We need proactive planning to address and navigate challenges and risks.   Edison International is committed to delivering 100% clean electricity to customers and reaching net-zero GHG emissions by 2045. I hope you’ll take some time to read this significant new analysis.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gWVNyKCX   #NetZeroBy2045 #cleanenergy #sustainability #renewableenergy #ClimateWeekNYC

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Does PJM give a signal to build anything other than short term sources - intermittent wind or solar backed up by batteries or natural gas? The capacity market would need to be 40 yrs or more to cover long lived assets like nuclear (a 40 to 80yr asset) or hydro (similar long lived asset) if it isn’t already built. This same market forced the shutdown of TMI one of the best running nuclear plants in the world.

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Great insight penned by two prior FERC chairs (1 GOP, 1 Democrat) re: bipartisan energy policy recommendations. Tracking w/ most opeds of this type, behind the meter distributed energy generation is a key component for hardening our grid, especially as larger and larger power consumers seek grid connection and the energy transition continues to evolve. RPower helps solve for this by partnering w/ data centers, refineries, manufacturing sites, etc that draw significant power in deregulated energy markets such as #ERCOT and #PJM. Give us a call or drop me an email at [email protected] to learn more. Not only will you back up your critical infrastructure, you will also be a part of the solution to ensure reliable energy, w/ or w/o reliable grid based power, is delivered to your facility. Our partners enjoyed 100% uptime during and after Beryl. RPower Susan Good Jamie Smith Nash Whitney Robyn Johnson Patrick Bartell "However, if we’re to take the White House hopefuls and their running mates at their word, namely that they feel every American is entitled to reliable and affordable power, and that an “above all energy policy” is how that guarantee will be upheld, then we two former chairmen of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — one Republican, one Democrat — have but one strategic recommendation. It’s by leveraging existing regulatory authorizations to make better use of our existing assets and infrastructure — both utility-owned and “behind” the customer meter — that policymakers in Washington and beyond may not only best address the grid’s problems, but do so in a manner that has durable bipartisan appeal."

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Senator Manchin's Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA) aims to speed up energy project approvals 🌎 It includes provisions to strengthen the electric grid and streamline permitting for both renewable and fossil fuel projects. ⏳ EPRA mandates FERC create a rule for interregional transmission planning within 180 days, aiming to expedite clean energy projects hindered by delays. 💡 This could be a major boost for climate tech entrepreneurs seeking to build and scale their renewable energy solutions. The act could provide a much-needed push to overcome regulatory hurdles and bring clean energy projects to fruition. Source in the comments #Senate #EPRA #ClimateTech

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At Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s December open meeting, the Commission accepted NERC’s Five-Year Performance Assessment, highlighting our efforts to ensure a #reliable, #resilient grid and advance standards for integrating new #energy resources. Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/geHRMKYn

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Starting your 2025 sales plan for major overhead and underground HV and EHV transmission projects? Look here, but remember routing and permitting lead times for some of these projects have been over 10 years. We need better policy and technical solutions to expedite the build out. Federal policies break down quickly on a state by state and local basis. We engineers should offer solutions built around technologies like underground, super conductors, advanced (composite core) conductors , DLR, rigorous FERC 881 compliance and compact designs (like BOLD). More capacity from existing rights-of-way is a megatrend and the solution for our immediate transmission needs. Do you agree? Thanks. Mike #pdi2 #innovation #transmission

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NERC recommends adding 35,000 MW of interregional transmission capacity as "prudent additions" to address grid resiliency needs! Note that this assessment solely focuses on energy adequacy and the level of assistance likely available from neighboring regions during resiliency challenges, such as winter storms. The study does not, for example, consider: 1️⃣ Resilience support available from regions beyond the immediate neighbors (such as PJM's exports to SPP during winter storm Elliot). 2️⃣ A multi-value perspective that takes into account the added economic and public-policy benefits of interregional transmission, which often justify expanding interregional transmission beyond these NERC results (as DOE's National Transmission Planning Study has most recently shown). NERC report: https://lnkd.in/e_GuKkAk Utility Dive summary: https://lnkd.in/eW3U_E34 North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) #gridmodernization

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The Biden administration's proposal significantly expands the range of technologies eligible for tax credits, reflecting a broader strategy to decarbonize the U.S. energy sector. By including hydropower, geothermal, and other innovative energy sources, the proposal aims to encourage a diverse mix of clean energy solutions. However, the focus on ensuring net-zero emissions through rigorous lifecycle analyses indicates a commitment to genuine environmental benefits rather than merely expanding the list of eligible technologies. #GreenEnergy #Renewables #ProductionTaxCredits

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To fully harness the power of wind and solar, we must also invest in expanding and modernizing the transmission infrastructure, ensuring it can handle the increased load and variability. This approach will help to mitigate challenges and maximize the impact of our renewable resources, creating a resilient and reliable grid that supports our clean energy goals. Renewables are not just part of the solution—they are the foundation. The task ahead is significant, but the benefits of a renewable-powered future for New England and other regions are immense. #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergyFuture #WindPower

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Interregional transmission can provide many benefits -- yet power markets and grid operating practices are not set up to fully capture these benefits. This new report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the DOE Grid Deployment Office lays out the barriers that need to be addressed to realize the full value of existing and new interregional transmission: https://lnkd.in/ekzximcU One of the necessary steps to improve seams-related inefficiencies is "intertie optimization," which we addressed here: https://lnkd.in/ew3QtcpQ and here: https://lnkd.in/dptXMG3t Great work by Christina Simeone, PhD and Amy Rose! #gridmodernization

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The California Energy Commission has launched an RFP for "Distributed Energy and Electrification Analysis" using the LF Energy Arras project. The goal of the initiative is "to buildout the state’s electric distribution grid model to support the CEC in assessing various electrification and distributed energy resource (DER) adoption scenarios." Learn more about the RFP and how to submit a proposal at https://hubs.la/Q02TtnTR0 #lfenergy #energy #utilities #arras #energytransition #der #climatetech

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The forecast for electricity needs in the Pacific Northwest points to rapid growth and increased demand. While more renewable energy is coming online, the existing transmission system also needs to be expanded. Learn more about the plans for the Northwest power grid at https://lnkd.in/gwM2HTj3

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Another missed opportunity to improve resilience and community good will. This Puget Sound Energy 230kV line upgrade was very controversial https://lnkd.in/epSUBNTV with the utility claiming a “critical need” as far back as 2013. The neighborhoods wanted the line underground….not to be. In time, utilities will start to evaluate “the total cost of ownership” of transmission and distribution lines that might include the lost revenue customers have during extended outages, the internal costs of YEARS of fighting with your franchise granting communities, and the significant advances in UG technology that reduces construction costs and, according to FERC 1 https://lnkd.in/etxbWdA6 reports filed by all IOU’s, has lower O&M costs. Planners, engineers and data scientists take note. Be sure to evaluate all your options. Thanks. Mike #pdi2 #underground #totalcostofownership

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