Focus
Historic climate bill faces state schism on clean energy
E&E News – August 8
The suite of tax incentives in the $369 billion “Inflation Reduction Act” could spur record-setting growth in wind and solar capacity if prices for those zero-carbon generation sources remain low, according to several computer models. The sweeping congressional package passed the U.S. Senate as part of the budget reconciliation process, and the U.S. House is expected to vote on the measure this Friday. According to a new report from Princeton University, the pace of yearly wind power installations could double and solar generation could increase fivefold by 2025-2026 from 2020 levels, fueled by decadelong tax incentives in the act. The measure would have the greatest impact on investment in wind and solar power, which nearly doubles to $321 billion in 2030 versus $177 billion without the legislation, based on the analysis released last week from Princeton's ZERO Lab.
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News
Offshore wind energy planning in Humboldt starting this fall
KRCR – August 4
On Monday, the California Energy Commission expanded the state’s proposed offshore wind planning goals to 5 GW by 2030, up from 3 GW, and going to 25 GW by 2045, up from 20 GW. Assembly Bill 525, approved by Governor Newsom in September 2021, identifies three areas off of California’s coast to implement wind energy systems to reach these ambitious goals: two in Morro Bay and one in Humboldt County.
California becomes first state to roll out submetering technology to spur EV adoption
Utility Dive – August 8
California regulators last week approved first-of-their-kind protocols on submetering technology, which would essentially allow EV owners to measure their vehicles’ energy consumption separately from their main utility meter. Thanks to the decision, owners of EVs, as well as electric buses and trucks, will be able to avoid installing an additional meter to measure the electricity that is consumed by their vehicle, removing a key barrier to EV adoption across the state.
Energy secretary: Nuclear is key to meeting U.S. energy goals
Power Engineering – August 5
Research at an eastern Idaho nuclear facility is key to boosting nuclear energy to meet President Joe Biden’s goals of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050, Energy Department Secretary Jennifer Granholm said. She said increasing nuclear power could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming and extreme weather events such as floods and wildfires. About 100 nuclear power plants provide about 20% of the nation’s power and 50% of the nation’s zero carbon-emitting energy.
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Projects
Vistra claims battery storage portfolio will reach 1,213 MW by 2026
Energy Storage News – August 8
Vistra Energy has stated that it will have more than 1,213 MW of battery storage in operation in its portfolio by 2026. The company has nine projects under development across the MISO and PJM grid areas, as well as a 43.5 MW project in development in California and a 350 MW expansion phase at Moss Landing, which is already in construction.
17 square miles of Benton County agricultural land may be home to this new kind of farm
Tri-City Herald – August 8
A new large solar generation project is proposed for a rural area of Benton County, Washington. The Hop Hill Solar Project would produce up to 500 MW of solar energy power and also would include up to 500 MW of battery storage. But only 28% to 30% of the land would be covered with solar panels, each standing 8-to 10-feet tall. The rest of the land would be used for grazing sheep and agriculture production, according to BrightNight, the company which has proposed the project.
Proposed solar farm could power 23,300 homes in New Mexico
Santa Fe New Mexican – August 9
AES Corporation is working to build a 96 MW solar farm on 800 acres of private land in Santa Fe County. If it receives the necessary approvals, the Rancho Viejo Solar facility would be the largest in Santa Fe County and one of the larger facilities in a state that hopes to cut away at its greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades.
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