Trieu Mai’s Post

Yes we need more transmission infrastructure, but this piece fails to address how much more quickly and cheaply distribution grid connected solar and storage could accelerate the clean energy transition, and without the failure rates of utility scale solar and storage.

This is one area of clean energy that we don’t want to grow.   Aided by the Inflation Reduction Act, the momentum behind wind and solar continues to grow. The problem is that it has become a situation of hurry up and wait.   As of December 2023, there were 2.6 terawatts of projects sitting in interconnection queues throughout the country. According to Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory almost all of it – 95.4% to be exact - is clean energy.   Just how much have the interconnection queues grown?   In 2010 the total of all forms of energy in the queue was 463 gigawatts (GW). By 2023 that total grew four-fold to 2,598 GW. Given that in 2010 there wasn’t much renewable energy activity, the clean energy queue numbers have understandably grown exponentially, from 39 GW of wind to a combined 2,480 GW of wind, solar and storage.   From 2010, the backlog for wind increased almost 10-fold to 366 GW. The current solar backlog is 1,086 GW and storage accounts for 1,028 GW. Take away renewables and the total backlog actually declined from 2010 from 649 GW to just 118 GW of non-clean energy – mostly natural gas.   To put this in perspective, the 2.6 terawatts in the interconnection queues is double the capacity of the entire U.S. electric grid.   How did this happen?   There are a multitude of reasons including poor planning with respect to the interconnection process, a lack of qualified staff to review applications, and the architecture of the grid itself. These were all quite foreseeable, but no one bothered to look. They were too busy patting themselves on the back for igniting the renewable energy movement.   Steps are being taken to streamline and improve the process, but the reform process itself is woefully slow, and at the end of the day, likely inadequate in its present form. Given this, don’t expect the problem to diminish any time soon, causing a sustained headwind to our net-zero energy goals.   #berkleylabs #lawrenceberkleynationallaboratory #electricgrid #interconnection #cleanenergy #wind #solar #batterystorage   Photo: Copyright TriStar Pictures

Our Q3 GB Report is now available for free download! Download for FREE: https://lnkd.in/eNV6ZABM Here are some of the key findings from the quarter: Wind output recorded over the quarter was the highest for any Q3 since 2014, standing at 16.7TWh. In Q3, curtailment of wind generation became necessary particularly during windy spells in early July, mid-August and early September with bid volumes being used in order to manage the excess available wind generation. Gas-fired generation increased slightly from 13.4TWh to 13.8TWh in the third quarter, this marks the second lowest quarterly CCGT generation output in our 20-year data series, which underscores the growing impact of renewable capacity in displacing conventional gas-fired generation. #energymarkets #energysector #marketinsights #GB

What a great infographic of progress related to the clean energy transition and decarbonization efforts in the US. Willdan is committed to helping many public and private customers master plan, engineer, fund and implement projects to meet their short and long-term goals. 2024 U.S. Clean Electricity Outlook As the world urgently seeks sustainable energy solutions, the U.S. has the opportunity to lead the charge in the shift toward clean electricity. But what kind of progress can the country expect in the upcoming year?  To find out, we partnered with the National Public Utilities Council to visualize the projected 2024 electricity generation capacity of clean energy technologies in the U.S., using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The Rise of Battery Storage and Solar Power Looking ahead to 2024, U.S. generation capacity projections unveil a promising trajectory for battery storage and solar power. Battery storage is projected to grow by 82% compared to 2023 estimates, while solar is projected to grow by 40%. Wind power is also growing, albeit at a slower rate (5%) due to higher costs and permitting challenges, especially for offshore projects. #winwithwilldan #naesco #decarbonization #cleanenergy #renewableenergy

As of December 2023, proposed projects encompassing early 2,600 gigawatts (GW) — or 2.6terawatts — were making their way through the series of studies and steps required to plug into the power grid, according to a new report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Almost all of this backlog, known as the interconnection queue, consists of clean energy — and it’s mostly from solar and batteries. At 2.6 terawatts, the interconnection queue is now about double the size of the entire existing U.S. electrical grid. The problem has swelled in recent years as emissions reduction goals, clean energy subsidies, and falling costs have spurred unprecedented interest in building renewable power. In 2023, a typical project took nearly five years to make it through the queue. In 2015, that figure was just three years. Last July, the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission approved a broad set of reforms aimed at modernizing and speeding up the interconnection process, a move then chair Willie Phillips described as the “largest and most significant set of interconnection reforms” in the past two decades. Clean energy groups applauded the new rules but noted that the country still needs to fix the biggest issue causing the interconnection bottleneck: The U.S. just isn’t building enough power lines to carry all that new electricity. #energytransition #gridinterconnection #interconnectionqueue #solarenergy #powerlines #electricgrid #permittingprocess

This is one area of clean energy that we don’t want to grow.   Aided by the Inflation Reduction Act, the momentum behind wind and solar continues to grow. The problem is that it has become a situation of hurry up and wait.   As of December 2023, there were 2.6 terawatts of projects sitting in interconnection queues throughout the country. According to Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory almost all of it – 95.4% to be exact - is clean energy.   Just how much have the interconnection queues grown?   In 2010 the total of all forms of energy in the queue was 463 gigawatts (GW). By 2023 that total grew four-fold to 2,598 GW. Given that in 2010 there wasn’t much renewable energy activity, the clean energy queue numbers have understandably grown exponentially, from 39 GW of wind to a combined 2,480 GW of wind, solar and storage.   From 2010, the backlog for wind increased almost 10-fold to 366 GW. The current solar backlog is 1,086 GW and storage accounts for 1,028 GW. Take away renewables and the total backlog actually declined from 2010 from 649 GW to just 118 GW of non-clean energy – mostly natural gas.   To put this in perspective, the 2.6 terawatts in the interconnection queues is double the capacity of the entire U.S. electric grid.   How did this happen?   There are a multitude of reasons including poor planning with respect to the interconnection process, a lack of qualified staff to review applications, and the architecture of the grid itself. These were all quite foreseeable, but no one bothered to look. They were too busy patting themselves on the back for igniting the renewable energy movement.   Steps are being taken to streamline and improve the process, but the reform process itself is woefully slow, and at the end of the day, likely inadequate in its present form. Given this, don’t expect the problem to diminish any time soon, causing a sustained headwind to our net-zero energy goals.   #berkleylabs #lawrenceberkleynationallaboratory #electricgrid #interconnection #cleanenergy #wind #solar #batterystorage   Photo: Copyright TriStar Pictures

Researchers at Stanford University together with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have developed Photovoltaic Thermo Electric Generator (PV-TEG) that transforms #solar PV panels in a 24 hours clean #electricity generation machine. European Parliament It is indeed an #innovative solution that we can test on solar PV projects in #europeanunion. By maturing PV-TEG solution, we can really help #EU moving beyond #fossilfuels and #nuclearpower and into an era of 100% #renewableenergy. https://lnkd.in/dU8Rwzqn /Ayoub #AyoubHameedi #ProjectGE #ProjectHuner #solarpv #solarpower #renewableenergy #sustainability #ClimateAction #GlobalGoals #ParisAgreement #SustainableDevelopmentGoals

Today's 'Beyond 2030' report from National Grid ESO lays out the essential grid investments required to keep pace with the escalating electricity demand fuelled by the widespread adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles.   With our sights set on a secure, low-carbon electricity grid by 2035, proactive planning and increased funding are paramount to efficiently distribute power to areas in greatest need. While solutions like high voltage direct current undersea cables off the east coast of Great Britain may carry hefty price tags, they represent the type of forward-thinking required to satisfy nationwide demand.   Nevertheless, a blend of optimism and realism is necessary when considering our renewable energy ambitions. The 2035 forecasts for wind and solar capacity outlined in the report are notably ambitious compared to our current estimates. Achieving these targets will demand substantial investment, not only in grid infrastructure but also in the renewable generation assets themselves. It's imperative to recognise the challenges ahead. Want to keep up-to-date? As the GB networks evolve to incorporate the rapid build out of low-carbon technologies, make sure you and your business stay ahead of changes to network charges – find our more about our 15-year Transmission Network Use of System charges forecast: https://bit.ly/3TD99R4

The latest AEU report unveils a critical challenge in the energy transition journey: the slow and complex grid interconnection process. As of late 2022, an impressive lineup of over 1,350 GW of new generation and 680 MW of energy storage is waiting to be connected to the U.S. grid, a situation that jeopardizes the reliability of our energy systems. Key takeaways from the report: ▪️ Pace Concerns: The integration of new power sources is painstakingly slow, highlighting a major barrier in the shift towards renewable energy. ▪️ Regional Disparities: While places like California and Texas are leading with proactive upgrades and strategies, PJM grid users face significant hurdles due to outdated processes. ▪️ The Road Ahead: With FERC's new interconnection requirements on the horizon, it's a pivotal time for regions lagging behind to embrace change and accelerate progress. The report stresses the necessity of reforms to ensure the energy system's transition to renewables is not only a goal but a reality. For those connected to the PJM grid, staying informed and actively participating in these reforms is crucial. Follow us for more industry insights, and get more details on this topic in Utility Dive's recent article: https://loom.ly/UhIWpXg #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #GridInterconnection #PJM #EnergyPolicy #utilitiesmanagement #utilitiesmanager #energycosts #energymarket #energyconsumption #energycosts #energyanalysis

According to BloombergNEF, zero-carbon sources generated over 40% of global electricity for the first time last year, with wind and solar contributing 14% and accounting for 91% of new power capacity additions, while fossil fuels made up just 6%. This trend continues in 2024, with $313 billion invested in renewables in the first half alone, matching the previous year's pace and signalling robust growth for clean energy. The Technical Conference offers utilities professionals unparalleled access to industry insights, technical expertise, and innovations, bringing together global experts and thought leaders to explore cutting-edge advancements shaping the sector’s future. Submit your abstracts by Friday, 29 November 2024, for a chance to speak at the Technical Conference: bit.ly/4f6LD7D Download the brochure to view the full list of sub-categories and the call for papers guidelines: bit.ly/4gVAt6N #WorldUtilitiesCongress #Energy #Power #Water #Sustainability #Utilities #RenewableEnergy #LowCarbon