Focus
San Diego City Council takes the leap into community choice energy
The San Diego Union-Tribune – September 17
The city of San Diego is about to enter the power-purchasing business. On a 7-2 vote this Tuesday afternoon, the San Diego City Council approved the formation of a community choice aggregation, or CCA, energy program. The council also approved a joint powers agreement that will see San Diego partner with Chula Vista, La Mesa, Encinitas, and — by all indications — Imperial Beach to take the place of San Diego Gas & Electric when it comes to purchasing sources of electricity within their jurisdictions. The five-city regional JPA would be the second-largest CCA in California, behind only the Clean Power Alliance in the Los Angeles area. Under the CCA model, local governments determine what type of power will be bought and sold in a jurisdiction instead of the investor-owned utility, such as SDG&E. CCA backers say the program can deliver greener sources of power to customers at rates equal to or less than incumbent utilities.
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News
Looming grid shortfall prompts 2.5-GW California procurement proposal
Greentech Media - September 13
State regulators have proposed a major set of responses to what could be a looming grid reliability shortfall in Southern California, including a 2.5-gigawatt reliability resources procurement between 2021 and 2023. Although the proposed “all-source” procurement would allow existing natural-gas-fired peaker plants to compete, it could also open a massive new market for renewable energy, energy storage, demand response, and other preferred alternatives to fossil fuels. The proposal could also allow hundreds of megawatts of seawater-cooled gas plants, known as OTC plants, to keep running past their 2021 retirement dates, if the reliability shortfall it fears can’t be met by other means. Last week’s proposed decision from the California Public Utilities Commission is the culmination of more than a year of study and debate over the state’s grid reliability needs, as part of its integrated resource plan proceeding.
U.S. utility solar pipeline balloons to new high
Solar Industry Magazine – September 17
The national utility-scale solar PV market saw 11.2 gigawatts of new projects announced in the first half of 2019, bringing the utility PV pipeline to a historic high of 37.9 gigawatts, according to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight Report from Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association. This contracted pipeline is the highest in the history of U.S. utility solar photovoltaics, according to the report. In the second quarter alone, 6.2 gigawatts were contracted. Off-site corporate solar procurement represents 17 percent of the new utility-scale solar capacity announced in 2019.
U.S. utilities file legal challenge to EPA’s power plant rule
Reuters – September 16
Con Edison and eight other U.S. utilities have filed a legal challenge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants. The New York-based power company said in a statement this Monday that the Affordable Clean Energy rule undermines efforts already under way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, and energy efficiency and other clean technologies. In addition to Con Ed, the coalition comprises Exelon Corp, National Grid, PG&E Corp, Public Service Enterprise Group Inc, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Seattle City Light, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and New York Power Authority. Together, they serve over 23 million customers in 49 states. A similar suit was filed by Democratic-led states and cities in August.
California's new $120 million low-income solar program
PV Magazine – September 17
State regulators have unanimously passed a new program expanding solar access to low-income families in California. Disadvantaged Communities – Single-Family Solar Homes aims to increase the adoption of solar power in disadvantaged communities by investing $120 million into incentives annually through 2030. The program will provide $8.5 million per year to customers who meet income qualifications and live in the top 25 percent most disadvantaged communities in the state.
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Projects
IKEA invests in two giant solar farms
Fast Company - September 16
IKEA started putting solar panels on the roofs of its stores, distribution centers, and other buildings in 2011 to help cut its carbon footprint, and it now has 900,000 of its own panels. But the retailer has huge energy requirements and a goal to produce even more renewable energy than it uses. The company has now invested in two sprawling new solar farms. One solar farm, in Utah, will come into operation later this month and has 636,000 solar panels. Another plant, in Texas, will have 823,000 panels with operation scheduled for January 2020. IKEA has a 49 percent stake in the projects.
Duke Energy acquires Canadian Solar’s 200-MW Texas solar project
PV-Tech – September 13
Duke Energy Renewables has clinched another major solar acquisition in Texas, bringing its solar project count up to four in the state. The developer announced this week the acquisition of Canadian Solar’s Rambler solar scheme southeast of Dallas. The purchase from Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy will pave the way for construction works at the 1,700-acre site, with the plant scheduled to go live around mid-2020. Upon completion, the 200-megawatt project will generate enough power to cover the needs of 40,000 households, securing supply under a 15-year deal with an unidentified customer.
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