Focus

California PUC proposal would order an additional 4 GW of clean energy resources to bolster grid reliability

Utility Dive – January 23

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering asking electricity providers in the state to procure 4 GW of new capacity to ensure grid reliability, in addition to the 11.5 GW of procurement the regulators ordered in 2021. The additional capacity is required for a variety of reasons, including updated load forecasts that suggest electricity demand is increasing more than previously expected, the impacts of a changing climate, and the likelihood that more fossil fuel plants will be retiring, according to the agency.

News

ACP reports corporations purchased nearly 20 GW of clean energy in 2022

Solar Industry Magazine – January 18

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) has released a report that shows corporations purchased more clean energy in 2022 than any previous year. Even as power purchase agreement prices increased, corporations purchased nearly 20 GW of clean energy in 2022, more than 4 GW higher than any previous year. By the end of the year, over 300 corporations had contracted more than 77 GW of clean energy.

Battery storage helping California avoid curtailment, but shedding set to grow further in 2023

Energy Storage News – January 23

Grid operator CAISO recently revealed that a total of 2.4 TWh of wind and solar production was curtailed over the course of 2022, two-thirds of which occurred in March-May. This is because conditions become favorable to solar PV generation before peak summer demand meaning lots of excess solar in the middle of the day, said Eric Hinojosa, energy analyst for BTU Analytics. By 2025, battery storage could help CAISO avoid up to 11.8 GWh of renewable energy curtailment a day, Hinojosa estimates.

U.S. approves design for NuScale small modular nuclear reactor

Reuters – January 20

The U.S. nuclear power regulator has certified the design for the NuScale Power Corp's small modular reactor. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval, published in the Federal Register last Thursday, clears a hurdle for NuScale. The company plans to build a demonstration small modular reactor power plant at the Idaho National Laboratory. NuScale says the 462 MW six-reactor project will be fully running in 2030.

Projects

Construction begins on 3 GW transmission line between Arizona and California

PV-Tech – January 23

A 500 kV, 125-mile transmission line between California and Arizona broke ground last week, promising to bring over 3 GW of renewable energy capacity to the U.S. Desert Southwest region. The Ten West Link project will connect to the Arizona grid before traveling west to California, both of which are under the remit of the Western Interconnection grid. Reportedly, over 7 GW of renewable energy assets are currently applying for interconnection with the grid via the Ten Link line.

Home Depot outfitting more stores with solar rooftop panels

Chain Store Age – January 19

The Home Depot, which has pledged to produce or procure 100% renewable electricity equivalent to the electricity needs for all of its facilities by 2030, is working with DSD Renewables to install 13 MW of rooftop solar across 25 store locations in California. Construction will begin in early 2023.

Solar plant northwest of Flagstaff expected to offset 1 billion pounds of CO2 each year

Arizona Public Media – January 23

Salt River Project (SRP) has partnered with Clēnera to bring Arizona its largest solar plant by 2024. Construction of the CO Bar Solar plant will begin this year on 2,400 acres of private land in Coconino County. CO Bar Solar will provide 1,000 MW of solar in total, with SRP customers receiving 400 MW.

Longroad starts work on Arizona solar+storage project

Renewable Energy World – January 18

Longroad Energy said it has lined up financing and started work on Sun Streams 3, a 285 MW/860 MWh storage project in Maricopa County, Arizona. Sun Streams 3 is expected to begin commercial operations in 2024, and it has a long-term power purchase agreement with Arizona Public Service.

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