U.S. energy panel approves rule to expand transmission of renewable power

Associated Press – May 13

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday approved a long-awaited rule to make it easier to transmit renewable energy such as wind and solar power to the electric grid — a key part of President Joe Biden’s goal to eliminate carbon emissions economy-wide by 2050. The rule, under development for two years, is aimed at boosting the nation’s aging power grid to meet surging demand fueled by huge data centers, electrification of vehicles and buildings, artificial intelligence, and other uses. The rule is intended to streamline how power lines are sited and how costs are shared between states.

News

Biden announces new tariffs on Chinese EVs, semiconductors, solar cells, and more

CBS News – May 14

President Biden announced new tariffs Tuesday on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, batteries, solar cells, steel, and aluminum. The tariffs on Chinese EVs will rise to 100%, quadrupling the current tariff of 25%. The president is directing the tariff on solar cell imports from China to double to 50%. It's the latest bid by the Biden administration to keep China from undercutting U.S. companies and threatening U.S. manufacturing jobs, many of which are unionized positions.

Interior Department proposes offshore wind sales in Oregon, Gulf of Maine

Renewable Energy Magazine – May 3

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced two proposals for offshore wind energy auctions off the coast of Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine. The two sales proposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have the potential to generate more than 18 GW of offshore wind energy, enough to power more than six million homes.

$6B in Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for advanced energy projects open this month

Utility Dive – May 3

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service will issue up to $6 billion in 48C tax credits in a second round of funding set to open later this month. The new round of funding builds on last month’s issue of $4 billion in funding from the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit program, meant to incentivize clean energy manufacturing and recycling, industrial decarbonization, and critical materials processing, refining, and recycling.

Giant batteries are transforming the way the U.S. uses electricity

The New York Times – May 7

Since 2020, California has installed more giant batteries than anywhere in the world apart from China. They can soak up excess solar power during the day and store it for use when it gets dark. Across the country, power companies are increasingly using giant batteries the size of shipping containers to address renewable energy’s biggest weakness: the fact that the wind and sun aren’t always available. Over the past three years, battery storage capacity on the nation’s grids has grown tenfold, to 16,000 MW. This year, it is expected to nearly double again, with the biggest growth in Texas, California, and Arizona.

Brookfield, Microsoft ink largest renewables offtake agreement with 10.5 GW of power

PV-Tech – May 2

Brookfield Renewable has signed an energy framework agreement with Microsoft for over 10.5 GW of renewable capacity. Under the terms of the deal, Brookfield will construct a new renewables portfolio to generate this contracted capacity between 2026 and 2030, across the U.S. and Europe, that will include both solar and wind projects, alongside “new or impactful carbon free energy generation technologies.”

Projects

BLM to request input on 3 GW of solar proposals in Nevada

Renewables Now – May 7

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will seek public feedback regarding the construction of three solar-plus-storage projects on public lands in Nevada, with a virtual public meeting due to be held on May 30. The three contemplated schemes are collectively called the Coaldale solar project. To be located about 35 miles west of Tonopah, within the Battle Mountain District, all three will be built on public lands designated as solar variance areas and will be equipped with battery energy storage systems (BESS).

WattEV opens electric truck charging depot in Bakersfield

Electrek – May 6

WattEV has opened the first electric truck charging depot in the U.S. to use the new Megawatt Charge System (MCS), capable of delivering up to 1.2 MW of power, currently the highest-speed charger available in the U.S., along with solar and battery backup on-site and a unique partially grid-islanded setup. WattEV says that its charge depot in Bakersfield includes the first MCS charger in North America.

California Community Power, CADEMO execute offshore wind MOU

North American Windpower – May 3

California Community Power, conducting joint power procurement on behalf of nine California community choice aggregators, and CADEMO have executed an MOU to facilitate advancement of CADEMO’s offshore wind project. The MOU intends to establish a collaboration between both parties in supporting the project, set to be located off the coast of Vandenberg Space Force Base, in California state waters. CADEMO is expected to produce approximately 200 GWh annually.

Cypress Creek Renewables adds solar and storage to the ERCOT grid

Solar Industry Magazine – May 6

Cypress Creek Renewables has completed construction and reached commercial operation of its 208 MW solar and 80 MWh co-located storage hybrid facility, Zier, in Brackettville, Texas. Cypress Creek is backed by EQT Partners. Financing for the project was supplied by partners including the North American Development Bank.