A new report from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association details why there's a future in microgrids for association members--and everyone else. "Powering Microgrids for the 21st-Century Electrical System," lays out the business case for microgrids, identifies the technological advances that will increase microgrid use, and provides a … [Read more...]
With Flexibility, Eastern Grid Can Get More than 30 Percent Renewables Online
September 6, 2016 By
With increased flexibility, the eastern grid can get more than 30 percent renewables online, and at times, can boost its renewables penetration to up to 60 percent. That's the word from a new report from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), "The Eastern Renewable Generation Integration Study (ERGIS)." To bring … [Read more...]
Good News for Microgrids from California Climate Bills
September 1, 2016 By
California's passage of two aggressive climate bills offers good news for microgrids, since they can act as levers to help the state reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Once again, the state has led the climate change battle, this time with last week's passage by the state legislature of the two bills, SB 32 and AB 197. The bills aim to reduce … [Read more...]
Microgrid Roadmap Building Continues in California…ViZa to Bring Microgrids to Africa with Jabil Inala
August 30, 2016 By
The California Energy Commission plans to hold its next microgrid roadmap workshop 10 a.m. PT, September 6 at the Secretary of State Building in Sacramento. The state launched the series of workshops in May to set priorities for microgrid policy and help the industry standardize, commercialize and drive down costs for consumers. The CEC is … [Read more...]
Microgridding the U.S. One State at a Time
August 23, 2016 By
Many revolutions in the U.S. electric power industry begin within states, where policymakers drive change to lower electric rates or green energy supply. This is proving true again as the ‘microgridding’ of the U.S. power grid begins. In the last three weeks alone, California, New Jersey and Washington state have issued grants or put forward … [Read more...]
New Jersey to Offer Funds for Community Microgrids
August 12, 2016 By
New Jersey has kicked off a plan to incentivize community microgrids with $1 million in funds for feasibility studies. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is circulating a draft application to be used in the competition. The board seeks stakeholder input on the application by August 30. New Jersey has mapped 24 communities in 17 … [Read more...]
Massachusetts Positions to be Third State to Set an Energy Storage Mandate
August 1, 2016 By
Massachusetts entered the vanguard of the energy storage industry with legislative approval late Sunday night of an energy storage mandate. The mandate – a requirement that utilities procure a specified amount of energy storage by 2020 – is part of a broader energy bill state lawmakers passed minutes before the legislative session ended for the … [Read more...]
Maryland Regulators Reject BGE’s Utility Microgrids; Raise Competition Issues
July 22, 2016 By
Maryland regulators made clear this week that utility microgrids won’t be a slam dunk in the restructured state. The Public Service Commission rejected a proposal by Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) to construct, operate and recover costs for two public purpose microgrids. In doing so, the commission focused on specific problems it had with … [Read more...]
Sen. Cantwell Seeks Help on Grid Modernization from National Academy of Sciences
July 20, 2016 By
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell has asked the National Academy of Sciences to assist Congress as it considers federal funding for grid modernization, including microgrids. In a July 15 letter, the Democrat from Washington seeks the academy’s help with legislation now in conference committee that focuses on microgrids, grid storage and distribution … [Read more...]
Manufacturers See Growing Use of Sophisticated Microgrids. Urge White House to Speed the Trend
July 13, 2016 By
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association says it envisions growing use of sophisticated microgrids and is urging the White House to take action to speed the trend. NEMA described what it sees ahead for microgrids and other modern energy technologies in recent comments on the Quadrennial Energy Review. President Barack Obama initiated … [Read more...]
