Joe Reed

ACEP wanted to break the mold with the 2024 Alaska Electricity Trends Report by creating a snapshot of electrical usage that can be interacted with while also informing future development! The team created the report as a web-book - a document with high-level information that be updated and changed as needed! “We knew early on that the traditional report format was going to be a limiting factor for us. When visualizing data, small but significant changes in capacity across the state, such as rooftop solar, are not going to show up on paper. By moving to a dynamic report, users can interact with the graphics and see every detail, no matter how small," says Jesse Kaczmarski, an ACEP team member on the project. Learn more about the development of the report at: https://lnkd.in/d8hn8RgW View the report at https://lnkd.in/gGPk-pmm #ACEP #Electricity #Energy

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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently issued a decision that sets timelines for the state’s three largest investor-owned utilities to complete customer energization projects. Energization is the process of connecting electrification projects—such as electric vehicle charging equipment—to the grid so that we can make use of our clean energy technologies. By setting timelines to complete energization projects, the CPUC decision recognizes that the state’s clean energy transition can’t happen without the timely integration of electrification projects to the grid. IREC has been actively engaged in the decision’s proceedings and contributed to the decision’s results. Our new blog post digs into the CPUC’s decision requirements for energization timelines, how the decision sets out to implement current clean energy laws and goals, and why accelerating energization is crucial for our transition to clean energy. Read it now at https://lnkd.in/g3fqQ_fD!

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For anyone who will be at IEEE Power & Energy Society T&D Conference feel free to stop by our panel session on #EVs and #gridreliability. Will be an interesting cross-sector discussion including technology provider, independent system operator, and utility perspectives among others. E-mobility is driving the blending of Transmission and Distribution system planning, design, and operations. Particularly with the growing prevalence of distributed energy resources, IoT and grid-edge technologies, and virtual power plants (#VPPs).

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#ACOREMember Avangrid has entered into a PPA with Portland General Electric for a 120 MW #solar project. The plant will produce electricity for businesses enrolled in PGE's Green Future Impact program, including fellow #ACOREMember Meta's new data center. https://lnkd.in/dn-fB6Yu

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Jericho Energy Ventures' Hydrogen Technologies Secures U.S. Department of Energy Funding for California-Based Project #Hydrogen #ZeroEmissions #CleanEnergy Jericho Energy Ventures Hydrogen Technologies LLC https://lnkd.in/g8H4KHF4

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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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Grid analysts challenge Bonneville Power’s pace in adopting advanced conductors--my latest for PV Magazine USA. As the White House encourages utilities to use advanced conductors to help interconnect new renewable generation, the federally-owned utility Bonneville Power is moving slowly to use the high-capacity conductors, analysts said. Mike O'Boyle, Casey Baker, Michelle Solomon #AdvancedConductors

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This Fall's CAISO data has really illustrated that California's renewable energy system is operating near perfection. The state's most efficient power plants dip a little bit without the need for inefficient peaker-plants to turn on. More solar and batteries will be needed to meet regulatory requirements, but with a constant 6 GW of very efficient combined cycle natural plants on the margin and 3.5 cent marginal energy costs, might claim victory at this point and show the rest of the Country how to do it.

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In this month's Alaska Powerline's podcast, Greensparc's partner, Clay Koplin of Cordova Electric Cooperative discusses how small Alaskan communities like Cordova can lead the way in renewable energy and digital infrastructure to power the AI era. With growing demand for energy and the potential of local microgrids, Koplin envisions a future where Alaska’s renewable resources fuel data-driven industries, reduce diesel reliance, and transform the state into a digital powerhouse. 🌿💡 Tune in to learn how partnerships and innovation are shaping Alaska’s energy future! #RenewableEnergy #Microgrids #AI #AlaskaEnergy #SustainableFuture https://lnkd.in/e22-dDy2

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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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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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Interested in how the electric grid is evolving during the energy transition? Check out these three episodes from With Great Power! 1️⃣ What cleaning the grid means for Californians: https://hubs.li/Q02R6t1k0 2️⃣ Preparing the grid for millions more electric cars: https://hubs.li/Q02R6sqg0 3️⃣ The urgent need for more grid automation: https://hubs.li/Q02R6rM80

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The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and the Department of Local Affairs have released the Colorado Microgrid Roadmap! NORESCO aided the CEO and S&C Electric Company in the facilitation of stakeholder engagement and development of this report. The roadmap resource explains the definitions, benefits, and challenges of microgrids in Colorado. It also explores opportunities within the state, especially from the perspective of vulnerable populations and regions most at risk for outages. Read the CEO’s press release: https://lnkd.in/eGk7HMPT For more about NORESCO’s involvement with microgrids, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/eFK35QRC #ColoradoEnergyOffice #microgrids #codesandstandards #energyresiliency #renewableenergy

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has closed a $72.8 million loan guarantee to develop a solar-plus-storage microgrid on the Viejas Reservation in California, supporting the Tribe’s energy independence and resilience. This project, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, will install a 15-MW solar generation system and a 70-MWh battery, providing reliable renewable energy to THE VIEJAS BAND OF KUMEYAAY INDIANS. Supported by U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., Starbucks, and the California Energy Commission, the project will create 250 jobs and lower energy costs for the Tribe. The savings will fund essential services like infrastructure maintenance, cultural programs, and more. This milestone underscores the Administration’s commitment to building resilient Tribal communities and advancing California’s clean energy goals. #cleanenergy #tribalmicrogrid #renewableenergy #solarstorage #tribalcommunities #energyresilience #investinginamerica #solarpower #sustainability #california

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Grid Reliability Impacts of EV Charging-Two Important Initiatives-Call for Engagement Several years ago, with the support of EnerTech Capital, the California Mobility Center, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), WECC and other organizations, I was fortunate to be involved in helping to form and manage a working group focused on increasing cross sector collaboration to better understand and mitigate potential adverse impacts of EV charging. In April 2022, a CMC working group published a paper including a number of grid friendly charging recommendations, as well as highlighted the need for more robust technical collaboration between the electric industry and EV OEMs and real-world data to both support and build on recommendations regarding grid friendly charging behaviors. I'm highlighting two recent initiatives and encouraging ongoing technical engagement and support from experts in utility, automotive, communications, software, consulting, and related fields. NERC is proposing to stand up an electric vehicle task force under its industry led Reliability Security Technical Committee. The task force deliverables over 2 years include reports regarding bulk power system reliability risks, a technical report on EV charging states and type tests, improvements in EV charging load modeling, and recommendations regarding interconnection requirements. For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected] In addition, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute recently made available a paper entitled “Exploratory Pilot: Analyzing Grid and EV Interactions Through Measuring Driving Behavior, Charging Behavior and Electricity.”  James Sayer and Eric Wingfield led the work for UMTRI, together with Taylor Spalt from Utilidata. The pilot monitored ten vehicles for operational data over 86 days at 8 public charging locations outfitted with Utilidata’s meter adapters. Among the observations was that during specific charging events, EVs generated increased power loss, contributed to voltage loss, and created unfriendly grid responses among other effects. Further research is recommended to support the assessment of potential broader grid impacts, as well as improve modeling. These observations are consistent with the findings contained in the CMC working group report. The paper also included observations regarding charging behaviors and impacts. Continued stakeholder supported research by UMTRI is critical and can help inform the NERC EV Task Force initiative. Please reach out to Eric Wingfiled at UMTRI for a copy of the paper. He may be reached at [email protected] Fostering electric system reliability is critical to the success and reputation of the automotive and utility industries.  Getting this type of collaboration off the ground and maintaining momentum is not easy, especially given the pressing challenges facing both industries. Please lean in. Your support is critical.

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Via ESN: " NextEra turns to California state regulator for 1.2GWh BESS to get around city’s moratorium: NextEra Energy Resources (NEER) has become the next IPP to seek approval of a renewable energy development incorporating battery storage via the California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) opt-in process, as permitted under Assembly Bill (AB) 205.  " #EnergyStorage #Energy #BatteryStorage

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