Focus

Solar and wind costs continue to fall as power becomes cleaner

Forbes – April 30

Renewables and energy storage continue their march to dominance of the electricity sector as costs continue to fall. Solar PV and onshore wind are now the cheapest sources of new-build generation for at least two-thirds of the global population, according to the latest analysis by BloombergNEF (BNEF). The research group says that the global benchmark levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for onshore wind and utility-scale PV has fallen 9 percent and 4 percent respectively since the second half of 2019 – to $44/MWh and $50/MWh, respectively. The benchmark LCOE for battery storage now sits at $150/MWh, having halved in price from two years ago. This means that solar PV and onshore wind are now the cheapest sources of new-build generation for at least two-thirds of the global population. Those two-thirds live in locations that comprise 71 percent of gross domestic product and 85 percent of energy generation, BNEF says.

News

California eyes expedited microgrid deployment to help with fire season power shut-offs

Utility Dive - April 30

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a proposal this Wednesday that would require utilities to speed up the deployment of microgrids and other projects that could help customers during wildfire-related safety power shut-offs. The proposed decision also would give Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) the green light to deploy temporary generators at certain areas during the 2020 wildfire season, and upgrade substations so they can be quickly energized with local power during a shut-off. California's upcoming wildfire season is likely to bring more power shut-offs during the fall, CPUC Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma said in a statement. "Microgrids using independent energy supply can provide essential backup and resiliency for communities affected," she added. The proposal is scheduled for a vote on June 11.

CEC clarifies that solar and energy storage installers are essential workers

Solar Power World – April 28

The California Energy Commission (CEC) clarified that statewide orders in response to COVID-19 identifying essential electricity industry workers include solar photovoltaic and energy storage installers. The State Public Health Officer has designated essential critical infrastructure workers needed at this time to support critical sectors, including the construction and energy sectors. To ensure essential services are provided, the CEC supports local enforcement agencies continuing to permit building construction and energy projects, including PV and battery storage installations for both newly constructed and existing buildings.

Navajo Power CEO sees 10 GW of renewable potential across the Navajo Nation

PV Magazine – April 22

Navajo Power is preparing a bid to build 200 megawatts of solar power, after the Arizona utility Salt River Project issued a bid request specifying solar on Navajo Nation lands. The solar project selected by the utility will help make up for generation capacity lost last November when the coal-fired Navajo Generating Station closed; the utility will pay the Navajo Nation for the use of its transmission lines. “We believe you can go to 10 gigawatts of renewable resources” across the Navajo Nation, as coal plant retirements in the area open up transmission capacity, said Navajo Power CEO Brett Isaac. The Navajo Nation extends across parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

California to include avoided transmission costs in DER benefits calculation

Microgrid Knowledge – April 24

The CPUC has agreed to consider avoided transmission costs for the state’s three investor-owned utilities as part of its cost-benefit analysis for distributed energy resources (DERs). The issue centers on the CPUC’s “avoided cost calculator,” or ACC, a methodology used to determine the benefits of DERs that is used across commission proceedings such as net energy metering. Since it was first approved in 2005, the calculator has evolved to cover six types of avoided costs: generation capacity, energy, transmission and distribution capacity, ancillary services, renewable portfolio standard, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, until now, the calculator only included avoided transmission costs for Pacific Gas & Electric. In response to concerns raised by the Clean Coalition, Vote Solar, the Solar Energy Industries Association, and 350 Bay Area, the CPUC on April 16 revised a proposed decision so avoided transmission costs would also apply to Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric.

Projects

Digital Realty reaches wind energy agreement

North American Windpower – April 23

Digital Realty, a provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, has reached a new 7.5-year power and renewable energy credit agreement with Citi to supply renewable energy for Digital Realty’s portfolio of data centers in the Dallas region. The energy provided through the 162-megawatt Bearkat Wind Energy II LLC project in Glasscock County will serve a portion of the power needs of Digital Realty’s 13 data centers in the greater Dallas area.