Focus
U.S. could create 600,000 renewables and energy storage jobs by 2030
PV-Tech – June 8
The U.S. could create between 500,000 and 600,000 jobs across the solar, wind, and battery storage sectors if it reaches 50 – 70% renewables generation by 2030, research from new trade body the American Clean Power Association suggests. Within the solar industry, utility-scale PV will account for the majority of job growth, driven by new employment positions in areas such as construction, project development and operations, and manufacturing, according to the report prepared by BW Research Partnership. Solar jobs are said to be highly concentrated in California, where 36% of all U.S. solar employment was found at the end of 2020.
|
News
Q1 storage additions nudge 1GWh
ReNEWS – June 8
The U.S. brought online 910 MWh of new energy storage capacity in the first quarter of 2021, according to data from Wood Mackenzie and the Energy Storage Association. The new additions mark an increase of 252% over the first quarter of last year. After a record-setting quarter for deployments in the fourth quarter of 2020, the pace of storage deployments slowed in the first quarter 2021. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that nearly 12,000 MWh of new storage will be added in 2021, which is three times the amount of new storage added in 2020.
Energy Department announces new steps on battery production
The Hill – June 8
The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday announced a series of policy actions to scale up manufacturing of advanced battery technology, part of a broader White House effort to promote battery production in the U.S. The Federal Energy Management Program will also conduct a review throughout the federal government to analyze opportunities to use battery storage at federal sites. The effort comes as part of the Biden administration’s broader efforts to reach 100% clean electricity by 2035.
Report finds interest in microgrids and DERs among utilities’ industrial customers
Microgrid Knowledge – June 4
Utilities are finding that their industrial customers want to deploy microgrids and distributed energy resources and are seeking their help, according to new research from Deloitte. The study found that 39% of utilities surveyed said they are receiving requests from companies for help implementing microgrids, while 61% of the utilities surveyed said that they see revenue potential in helping customers develop microgrids.
|
Projects
SCE completes West of Devers transmission lines
North American Windpower – June 8
Southern California Edison (SCE) has completed its West of Devers transmission lines. The project increases transmission capacity necessary to bring renewable generation – more than 7,000 MW of renewable and battery energy storage resources in the coming years – from desert areas in the eastern part of California to the population centers of the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley. It triples the capacity of power delivery from 1,600 MW to 4,800 MW, which helps with system reliability into the Southern California population centers during peak summer demand.
Renewable energy transmission project in New Mexico to boost clean power exports
Carlsbad Current Argus – June 9
Federal land managers moved forward with a transmission project that could bring renewable electricity from rural New Mexico to markets in Arizona. The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project would originate in Torrance County south of Albuquerque and would transport up to 4,500 MW of energy west into Arizona, terminating in Pinal County, Arizona south of Phoenix. The federal Bureau of Land Management published a notice of its intent to develop an environmental impact statement ahead of granting a permit for the project on June 4, which would see the agency host three virtual hearings to solicit comments from stakeholders.
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions breaks ground on 250-MW Texas solar project
Solar Industry Magazine – June 7
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, a nonregulated commercial brand of Duke Energy, has started construction of the 250-MW Pisgah Ridge Solar project in Navarro County, Texas. Once in operation, it will be the largest utility-scale solar facility in Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions’ fleet. Charles River Laboratories has signed a virtual power purchase agreement for 102 MW of the project over 15 years.
|