Microgrid player Hitachi sets long-term environmental strategy Hitachi, a key player in the microgrid market, has set a target to reduce carbon dioxide 80 percent across the company’s value chain as part of a new long-term environmental strategy. Called "Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050,” the plan also calls for a 50 percent improvement … [Read more...]
Energy Storage is an Enabler for Microgrids
ABB's Bob Fesmire explains how energy storage is becoming more refined, and acting as an enabler for microgrids. Most of the time when people talk about microgrids, they talk about reliability (e.g., for a hospital or other critical load) and renewables. When people talk about renewables, they often talk about storage (e.g., to maximize the … [Read more...]
With Flexibility, Eastern Grid Can Get More than 30 Percent Renewables Online
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...]
RMI: What it Will Take to Improve Energy Access and Security
Laurie Guevara-Stone, writer/editor for the Rocky Mountain Institute's Solutions Journal, interviews RMI trustee Maria van der Hoeven about energy access and security -- two critical global issues. A member of RMI’s Board of Trustees since October 2015, Maria van der Hoeven has had a long career working on challenging modern energy issues. She … [Read more...]
Good News for Microgrids from California Climate Bills
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...]