Renewables

Critics Rip Into LIPA Plan to Alter Solar Power Valuation

Dec

Justin Bell, LIPA's director of rates and regulation, speaks about the utility's new solar-energy pricing scheme, during a Uniondale meeting on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Photo Credit: Newsday / Mark Harrington

LIPA says the goal is to make sure the excess energy produced by home and business solar is properly valued so the programs last.

newsday.com - by Mark Harrington - November 27, 2017

A contingent of solar-energy installers, environmentalists and a construction company on Monday criticized a LIPA proposal that would alter the current system for valuing power produced by solar and other green-energy systems, saying it would stifle growth in a market already pressured by reduced state incentives.

At hearings in Hauppauge and Uniondale to seek input on the new plan, critics were unanimous in castigating the new system, which they said adds uncertainty and complexity to a program that works just fine in its current form. . . .

. . . The Long Island Solar Energy Industry Association, an industry group, has launched a petition drive to oppose the program, which it says, will “negatively impact solar adoption at a time when we need to accelerate” it.

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Pittsburgh's Microgrids Technology Could Lead The Way For Green Energy

Nov

Gene Lutz drives an electric fork lift powered by renewable energy at Pitt Ohio, a trucking company with an office in Harmar, Pa. The firm has invested in solar and wind energy, along with a bank of storage batteries, to create an independent microgrid that would hold up in a storm. Researchers hope to build more of these and link them together to create a reliable backup supply. Daniella Cheslow/NPR

npr.org - by Daniella Cheslow - November 12, 2017

When President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, he said he represented "Pittsburgh, not Paris."

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto disagreed. He traveled to Germany this week as part of an unofficial delegation of more than 100 Americans, American officials and business owners who say they are still committed to climate talks taking place in Bonn. One element of Pittsburgh's climate strategy has been encouraging innovation in a technology known as microgrids.

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Costa Rica Runs Entirely on Renewable Energy for 300 Days

Nov

submitted by Jeff Williams

"Eólica" or wind power plant in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. ICE Group / Twitter

ecowatch.com - by Lorraine Chow - November 21, 2017

Costa Rica has charted another clean energy accolade. So far this year, the Central American country has run on 300 days of 100 percent power generation from renewable energy sources, according to the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE), which cited figures from the National Center for Energy Control. . . .

. . . Costa Rica currently receives 99.62 percent of its electricity from five renewable sources, the highest proportion since 1987. This year, 78.26 percent of electricity came from hydropower, 10.29 percent from wind, 10.23 percent from geothermal energy and 0.84 percent from biomass and solar.

Costa Rica has emerged as a global environmental leader, with its frequent 100 percent renewable energy streaks and its 2021 goal of becoming carbon neutral—a deadline set a decade ago.

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South Fork 100% Renewable Energy Forum

Aug

The 2nd annual South Fork 100% Renewable Energy Forum will take place on June 28, 2017

renewableenergylongisland.org

The 2nd annual South Fork 100% Renewable Energy Forum will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 12:30PM to 6:15PM at LTV in Wainscott. With both Southampton and East Hampton townships now aiming to meet community-wide electricity needs 100% with renewable energy sources, elected officials, energy experts and community stakeholders will be gathering to learn, discuss and plan for the energy transformation of Long Island's South Fork.

The event, organized by Renewable Energy Long Island and co-sponsored by the Towns of East Hampton and Southampton, is open to the public and free of charge but RSVPs are required as space is limited.

Refreshments will be served.

RSVP today to reserve your seat.

WHEN

June 28, 2017 at 12:30pm - 6:15pm

WHERE

LTV Studios

75 Industrial Rd

Wainscott, NY 11975

Agenda:

11:30 AM Pre-program activity (outside):

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South Fork Clean Energy Forum Summary

Aug

CLICK HERE - VIDEO - South Fork Clean Energy Forum - Part 1

CLICK HERE - VIDEO - South Fork Clean Energy Forum - Part 2

renewableenergylongisland.org - June 19, 2016

On June 15, 2016 Renewable Energy Long Island, along with a number of cosponsors, organized the South Fork Clean Energy Forum, to discuss with community leaders how to build a smarter, more affordable, more resilient energy system for the South Fork of Long Island. At the forum, experts presented exciting new plans to make the South Fork a leader in clean energy.

The South Fork Clean Energy Forum was the first time the public was able to get an in-depth look at the various building blocks and proposals for a new energy system for the South Fork. It was also the first energy forum ever co-sponsored by both towns, and the first one to be broadcast in both towns.

CLICK HERE for additional information, and links to presenters' Slide Decks to view their PowerPoint presentations or prepared remarks.

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Utilities companies won't let you sell your own solar power. Why not?

Aug

The electric utility sector is broken – but the transformation we need will be virtually impossible so long as a handful of wealthy elites are calling the shots

Utilities companies have their sights on ending net-metering: your ability to sell excess power at market rates. Photograph: Rex

CLICK HERE - REPORT - Energy and Policy Institute - Utilities Knew: Documenting Electric Utilities’ Early Knowledge and Ongoing Deception on Climate Change From 1968-2017

theguardian.com - by Kate Aronoff - August 1, 2017

A new report from the US-based Energy and Policy Institute last week found that investor-owned utilities have known about climate change for nearly 50 years – and done everything in their power to stop governments from doing anything about it.

From their commitment to toxic fuels to their corrosive influence on our democracy to their attempts to price-gouge ratepayers, it’s long past time to bring the reign of privately-owned electric utilities to an end.

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Why are Californian Solar Firms Paying to Give Away Power?

Jul

Getty Images

bbc.com - June 29, 2017

California companies are generating so much solar power that firms in other states are getting paid to take it.

The state has been forced into the arrangement to "avoid overloading its own power lines", according to the Los Angeles Times.

The situation doesn't necessarily mean we are "throwing money away", says economist Severin Borenstein, a professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

"But it probably is an indication that there are some serious problems in the way we're running the grid and the way we're making investment decisions."

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New York is Building the Energy System of Tomorrow Today

Jun

REV4NY - May 2, 2016

In New York, the energy system of tomorrow is taking shape today. What does the grid look like? Watch this video to learn more about the vision behind New York’s plan for a clean, affordable and resilient energy system for all New Yorkers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUm91OTuvLg

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More Than 30 States Embrace Grid Modernization, New Policy Tracker Finds

Jun

CLICK HERE - 50 States of Grid Modernization (60 page .PDF report)

CLICK HERE - 50 States of Solar (11 page .PDF report)

A new quarterly report from the folks who brought you '50 States of Solar' aims to chronicle grid modernization initiatives across the US

utilitydive.com - by Herman K. Trabish - May 31, 2017

Grid modernization is a hot topic in the power sector as utilities across the country replace aging infrastructure and upgrade their systems for new energy technologies.

But until now, there was no easily-accessible tool to track the myriad regulatory actions on advanced metering, non-wire alternatives, ratemaking reform and the like.

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Are Solar and Wind Really Killing Coal, Nuclear and Grid Reliability?

May

Lessons from the Lone Star State: A surge in wind power on the Texas grid didn’t cause reliability problems (and brought down electricity prices) because regulators improved the efficiency of wholesale electricity markets. Sarah Fields Photography/Shutterstock.com

theconversation.com - by Joshua D. Rhodes, Michael E. Webber, Thomas Deetjen and Todd Davidson - May 11, 2017

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry in April requested a study to assess the effect of renewable energy policies on nuclear and coal-fired power plants.

Some energy analysts responded with confusion, as the subject has been extensively studied by grid operators and the Department of Energy’s own national labs. Others were more critical, saying the intent of the review is to favor the use of nuclear and coal over renewable sources.

So, are wind and solar killing coal and nuclear? Yes, but not by themselves and not for the reasons most people think. Are wind and solar killing grid reliability? No, not where the grid’s technology and regulations have been modernized. In those places, overall grid operation has improved, not worsened.

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