Focus
Clean energy power line from Arizona to California approved for construction
The Center Square – July 15
The U.S. Department of Interior has approved the start of construction of a 125-mile transmission line project spanning from Arizona to Southern California that officials say will increase renewable energy delivery. The Ten West Link Transmission Line Project, which has been under consideration since 2016, will result in a 500 kV line that will connect existing substations near Tonopah, Arizona, and Blythe, California, the federal agency said. The Biden administration called the project a “significant milestone” in efforts to lower energy costs for consumers and reach a goal of permitting 25 GW of solar, wind, and geothermal energy production on public lands by 2025.
|
News
New federal funding promotes solar reuse, recycling, and manufacturing technology
Solar Industry Magazine – July 15
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a slate of new initiatives and $56 million in funding, including $10 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to spur innovation in solar manufacturing and recycling. The new programs are designed to drive innovation in solar technology and manufacturing, supporting opportunities for the U.S. to expand production of thin-film modules, which do not rely on foreign-dominated supply chains, as well as supporting newer technologies like perovskite solar cells.
A coming copper shortage could derail the energy transition, S&P Global report finds
CNBC – July 14
An all-electric future depends heavily on copper, and looming supply shortfalls could hamper nations’ goals of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, according to a new report from S&P Global. The report forecasts copper demand nearly doubling to 50 million metric tons by 2035. By 2050, demand will reach more than 53 million metric tons. S&P Global noted that this is “more than all the copper consumed in the world between 1900 and 2021.”
Clean energy PPA prices rose 6% in Q2 signaling ‘a new normal’
Renewable Energy World – July 18
Trade disputes, supply chain constraints, and increasing shipping costs sent prices for clean energy power purchase agreements higher by 6% last quarter, according to market analysis by LevelTen Energy. According to the report, solar prices increased 3% to $36.33 per MWh during Q2 2022, while wind jumped 13% to $33.91 per MWh.
|
Projects
Pattern Energy buys 3 GW SunZia transmission project to deliver wind energy from New Mexico to Arizona
Utility Dive – July 18
Pattern Energy Group has purchased the proposed SunZia transmission project, a 525 kV line set to deliver 3,000 MW to Arizona from wind farms that Pattern is developing in New Mexico. Pattern Energy expects to begin full construction of the SunZia transmission project and the SunZia wind projects next year, with operations for the bi-directional power line set to start in 2025, and the wind farms coming online in early 2026, according to the company.
Ormat powers up 30 MW geothermal plant in California
Renewables Now – July 19
Ormat Technologies has launched commercial operations at its 30 MW Casa Diablo-IV geothermal power plant in Mammoth Lakes. Under two separate contracts for 10 years, the plant will be supplying electricity from 7 MW of capacity to community choice aggregators Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Central Coast Community Energy. Separately, a 25-year PPA is in place with the Southern California Public Power Authority for the remaining 16 MW.
Alameda County Superior Court upholds county’s approval of Aramis solar project in Livermore
Pleasanton Weekly – July 15
An Alameda County Superior Court judge recently denied a local citizen groups’ lawsuit challenging the county-approved Aramis Solar energy project planned for development in unincorporated Alameda County. The plaintiffs failed to convince the court to overturn the county Board of Supervisors’ approval of the project, proposed by San Francisco-based Intersect Power, on the grounds that the development violates Measure D, which protects agricultural land and open space in eastern Alameda County.
|