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☆ Rapid renewable energy growth leads FBI to warn hackers will hit new, vulnerable power supply
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Michelle Castillo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Government incentives, including the Inflation Reduction Act, have encouraged individuals and private ownership groups to invest in clean energy systems. The renewable energy industry's rapid expansion in the U.S. in some cases is occurring without traditional utility protocols and regulations. The boom in renewable energy has also led manufacturers of products and services to ramp up their offerings. Inverters connected to the internet, in particular, could be controlled by hackers to reduce output or overheat home energy systems. Other major players in the U.S. utilities and renewable energy sector, including Next Era Energy, Constellation, Enphase Energy, First Solar and Sunrun, did not respond to requests for comment.

Persons: Jim Hempstead, SEIA, Bheshaj Krishnappa, Freddie Mac, Moody's, Jim Guinn Organizations: FBI, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Metropolitan Washington Council, Governments, Department of Defense, U.S ., Solar Energy Industries Association, Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, Constellation Energy, Corporation, cybersecurity, Cybersecurity, GE Vernova, Constellation, Enphase Energy Locations: U.S, California , Utah, Wyoming, United States, China, Russia, Iran, cyberattacks

☆ Texas needs money to keep the lights on during extreme weather. It’s funding more fossil fuel instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But rather than shuttling money into strengthening its grid to make sure the lights and A/C stay on during increasingly extreme weather, Texas is pouring billions of taxpayer dollars into new natural gas-fired power plants. Adding more electricity to the grid isn’t necessarily a bad thing because the state is facing higher demand, said Texas energy expert Doug Lewin, founder of consulting firm Stoic Energy. The state prioritizes natural gas power plants or backup natural gas generator systems. Centerpoint and other Texas utilities are no stranger to extreme weather. “In addition to extreme weather, the company’s service area also experiences heavy precipitation and extreme temperatures,” the company wrote in the report.

Persons: Beryl, Doug Lewin, ” Lewin, it’s, Texas Republicans ’, ” Michael Webber, Centerpoint, Joshua Rhodes, ” Rhodes, Rhodes, It’s, haven’t, doesn’t, ”, Alison Silverstein, Microgrids, Lewin, “ We’ve, “ That’s Organizations: CNN, Houston, Energy, Texas Republicans, University of Texas, Centerpoint Energy, UT Austin, Texas Public Service Commission Locations: Houston, Texas, Austin, “

☆ Making the power grid 'smart' could save us all money and prevent blackouts. Chattanooga made the $280 million investment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Chattanooga's utility built a $280 million smart grid, creating $2.7 billion in economic value. The local utility, called EPB of Chattanooga, spent $280 million to refurbish its power system with smart technologies to make a "smart grid." The traditional power grid carries electricity from a power plant to homes and commercial buildings. Smart grids can bring huge economic benefitsEven Congress knows the nation needs a smart grid. Though a smart grid requires a big up-front investment, it can save a lot of money down the line.

Persons: —, That's, Tiago Majuelos, Monika Skolimowska, Kevin Schneider, Schneider, Joshua Rhodes, David Wade, EPB, Wade, Taylor, David Swanson, We're Organizations: Infrastructure, Service, Chattanooga Smart, US Department of Energy, Wall Street, Getty, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, American Society of Civil Engineers, University of Texas, Department of Energy, C Electric Company, BI, Reuters, Nationwide Locations: Chattanooga , Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, EPB, California, Austin, Hamilton County, Palm Springs , California, Columbia, Southern California

☆ 'Basel III' bank rules could pose unexpected threat to Biden's green energy plans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Emily Wilkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Banks help fund the vast majority of renewable energy projects through tax equity investments, which allow the banks to benefit from federal tax credits for renewable energy. Currently, renewable energy draws $18 billion to $20 billion annually through tax equity investments, according to the American Council on Renewable Energy. "Many people joke that we're on the 'solar-coaster,'" Torres said about the ups and downs of renewable energy. The higher capital requirements for renewable energy projects in Basel III puts the regulation on a collision course with the Biden administration's push for cleaner and greener energy sources. "The clean energy industry's experience with tax equity investments does not warrant such a radical change," the group's letter read.

Persons: Julian Torres, Torres, he's, Banks, Jerome Powell, Biden, Dominic Lacy, Sean Casten Organizations: D.C, Gallaudet University, Washington , D.C, Gallaudet, Federal Reserve, FDIC, American Council, Renewable Energy, Basel III, Tesla, American Bankers Association, Bank, Institute, Clean Energy State Alliance Locations: Washington ,, Basel

☆ See what the future of zero-emissions transit looks like in suburban Maryland
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Montgomery County, Maryland aims to transition its electric bus fleet to zero-emissions by 2035. The microgrid is set to power a transit center for 200 zero-emissions vehicles and be the first on the East Coast to produce green hydrogen from renewables . Montgomery County opted to build a microgrid so it didn't have to rely on power from Pepco, the local utility. A rendering of another sustainable transit depot that Alphastruxure will build in Montgomery County, Maryland. "So we're going to have resilience, we're going to have green power 98% of the time, and we're getting our greenhouse-gas emissions down."

Persons: Catherine Boudreau, Michael Yambrach, Yambrach, Montgomery, AlphaStruxure, Carlyle, that's, Don Scheuerman, we're Organizations: Service, Montgomery, Schneider Electric, Montgomery County Department of General Services Locations: Montgomery County , Maryland, Silver, Montgomery, Montgomery County, Pepco

The U.S. power grid, much of it built nearly a century ago, is being strained by storms, floods and heat waves fueled by climate change even as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence are boosting power demand, Granholm told reporters in a call. In 2021, the Texas grid collapsed during a cold spell, killing more than 200 people and leaving millions of homes without power. The projects will help bring more than 35 gigawatts of new electricity onto the grid from wind and solar and other renewable power and invest in 400 microgrids, or self sufficient energy systems, the Department of Energy (DOE) said. It was the first round of selections under the broader $10.5 billion grid resilience and innovation partnerships program managed by DOE. In southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO Energy (PECI.UL) will boost grid reliability and resilience through substation flood mitigation, replacing aging infrastructure, and deploying battery systems for backup power.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Joe Biden's, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, Timothy Gardner, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Wednesday, Energy, Department of Energy, DOE, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, PECO Energy, Holy, Thomson Locations: Mountain View , California, U.S, Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Arizona, Washington

☆ America's electric grid is in shambles. Biden has made the largest federal investment ever to try and fix it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Matthew Daly | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Biden announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen the electric grid. This is the largest federal investment ever made in grid infrastructure, said US Energy Secretary. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said it was the largest federal investment ever in grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden electric systems and improve energy reliability and affordability. The federal spending, combined with money promised by private partners, could result in up to $8 billion in investments nationally to upgrade the grid, Granholm said. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe largest grant, $464 million, will go to improve five transmission projects across seven Midwestern states, from Iowa to North Dakota.

Persons: Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, Chip Somodevilla, ″, Mitch Landrieu, Joe Biden, Landrieu, Jonathan Foley, Foley, Tim Walz, Steve Karnowski Organizations: US Energy, Service, Wednesday, Energy, Biden, Resilience, White House, Minnesota Gov, AP, of Commerce, CPS Energy, Consumers Energy, Flint, DTE Energy, Portland General Electric Locations: Maui, California, Georgia, Louisiana, American, Oregon, Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, California , Oregon , Utah, Minnesota, Locust Grove, Orleans, San Antonio, Texas , Colorado , New Mexico, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Detroit

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen electric grid resilience as extreme weather events such as the deadly Maui and California wildfires continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said it was the largest federal investment ever in grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden electric systems and improve energy reliability and affordability. The federal spending, combined with money promised by private partners, could result in up to $8 billion in investments nationally to upgrade the grid, Granholm said. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe largest grant, $464 million, will go to improve five transmission projects across seven Midwestern states, from Iowa to North Dakota. In southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO Energy Co. will increase grid reliability and resilience through substation flood mitigation and replacing aging infrastructure.

Persons: —, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, ″, Mitch Landrieu, Joe Biden, ” Landrieu, ”, Jonathan Foley, ” Foley, Isabella O'Malley Organizations: WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Energy, Biden, Resilience, White House, Entergy, CPS Energy, DTE Energy, PECO Energy, Portland General Electric, Associated Press Locations: Maui, California, Georgia, Louisiana, American, Oregon, Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, California , Oregon , Utah, San Francisco, Locust Grove , Georgia, Orleans, San Antonio, Minnesota, Texas , Colorado , New Mexico, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Detroit, Pennsylvania, New York

☆ Biden administration to invest $3.5 billion to improve the resiliency of the electric grid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The sun sets behind power transmission lines in Texas, the United States on July 11, 2022. The Biden Administration is putting almost $3.5 billion into improving the strength and resiliency of the United States' electric grid, government officials said on Wednesday. The investments in the electric grid will get more than 35 gigawatts of clean energy onto the grid, the Department of Energy says. "Right now, the U.S. electric grid is the largest connected machine in the world. "Every time you turn on a light, charge your laptop, plug in an air conditioner or put leftovers in the fridge, you rely on the electric grid, and that grid has been in need of upgrade for a very, very long period of time," Landrieu said.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Bill Gates, Jennifer M, Granholm, Mitch Landrieu, Landrieu Organizations: Infrastructure Law, Resilience, Innovation, Department of Energy, Microsoft, White Locations: Texas, United States, U.S

The Energy Department has announced a $325 million investment in new battery types that can help turn solar and wind energy into 24-hour power. Batteries are increasingly being used to store surplus renewable energy so that it can be used later, during times when there is no sunlight or wind. The department says the projects will protect more communities from blackouts and make energy more reliable and affordable. “Long-duration battery storage is like a rainy-day savings account for energy storage,” said Jodie Lutkenhaus, professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University. This one is led by the California Energy Commission in collaboration with Faraday Microgrids.

Persons: ”, Christopher Rahn, “, Jodie Lutkenhaus, ” Lutkenhaus, Amanda Smith, Faraday, Rejoule, Infrastructure David Crane, Elisabeth Moyer, ” Rahn Organizations: Energy Department, Pennsylvania State University, Texas, M University, “, Law, Xcel Energy, Energy, Children's, California Energy Commission, Smart Systems, EV, Canada . Energy, Infrastructure, University of Chicago, AP Locations: Lake, American, Minnesota, U.S, California , New York, Hawaii, Becker , Minnesota, Pueblo , Colorado, California's, Madera, Georgia , California, South Carolina, Louisiana, Petaluma , California, Santa Fe , New Mexico, Canada

☆ At Africa’s First Climate Summit, a Clear Call to the World: Invest in Us
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Max Bearak | More About Max Bearak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Heads of state from across Africa concluded an inaugural climate summit on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, by issuing a declaration that called for an urgent restructuring of the way wealthier nations engage with the continent. The declaration stressed numerous times that rather than being a hapless victim, Africa was primed for leadership on clean energy and environmental stewardship. This lack of financing is one of the biggest issues dividing rich and poor nations as the world struggles to slash carbon dioxide emissions. It will be one of the main points of contention at the United Nations global climate summit starting Nov. 30 in Dubai. The historic gathering in Nairobi was partly an effort by poorer nations to amplify their argument.

Organizations: United Nations Locations: Africa, Nairobi, Kenya’s, Dubai

☆ Clean Energy Projects Are Booming Everywhere. Except in Poor Nations.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Max Bearak | More About Max Bearak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The world is racing ahead with enormous investments in renewable energy, for the first time this year plowing more money into solar power than oil. But the world’s poorest countries, mostly in Africa, are effectively priced out of the action by a global lending system that considers them too risky for investment. Only 2 percent of global investment in renewable energy has been in Africa, where nearly a billion people have little or no access to electricity. Clean energy projects would help stabilize their countries and economies, they say, reducing the very risk that investors say they fear. It’s an issue that looms large this week at a climate summit in Kenya, as it will at climate talks sponsored by the United Nations later this year in Dubai.

Persons: Archip Lobo Organizations: United Nations Locations: Africa, Kenya, Dubai, Congo

Many opponents of renewable energy, she added, “are worried about the impacts to their very way of life.”Roadside opposition to renewable energy projects near Baldwin City, Kan. “We see offshore wind as a critical technology,” said Dan Burgess, the director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. Across the country, clean energy projects of all types are tied up in lengthy permitting processes. By then, India had not completed any offshore wind projects. Since 2000, the United States has barely built any major transmission lines that connect different regions of the country.

Persons: Scott Dickerson, ”, Biden, Alison Bates, “, Columbia University’s, Dan Burgess, Habib Dagher, Janet Mills, Gregory Wetstone, Mack, James Gillway, SunZia, ” Hunter Armistead, Broussard, There’s, Vaughan Woodruff, Tucker Carlson, Teslas, ” Ali Zaidi, Dagher, Rolf Olsen, who’s Organizations: University of Maine, Sears, Officials, Federal, International Energy Agency, Colby College, White, Columbia, Climate, The University of, Maine Governor’s Energy, Environmental, University of Maine’s, Composites Center, Gov, American Clean Power Association, American Council, Renewable Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, . Clean, Union United, China India European Union United States, China European Union United, China India United States European, China United States European Union, China United States European Union India, Energy, The New York Times, United, Pattern Energy, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Toyota Prius Locations: Penobscot Bay, Maine, , Maine, United States, Europe, China, Australia, India, Los Angeles, Ohio, Jersey Shore, Waterville , Maine, Baldwin City, Kan, Massachusetts, Ukraine, Gulf, Searsport , Maine, Searsport, Bangor, Mack, West, Union United States, U.S, China United States European Union India, Great, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Riesel , Texas, Energy, San Bernardino County, In Kansas, Atlantic City, N.J, New York, Manhattan, Sears

☆ A historically Black neighborhood in Chicago is harnessing a first-of-its-kind microgrid, raising a new standard for sustainable energy in disenfranchised areas.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood has a microgrid, which can operate independently if necessary. A microgrid, a smaller version of the city's electrical power grid, went live last year in the iconic South Side neighborhood of Bronzeville. It's this kind of energy reform, said William Davis, the executive director of the Bronzeville Community Development Partnership, that should "start in the hardest-hit areas." Solar panels on several neighborhood buildings are also contributing power to the microgrid, integrating the zero-carbon energy into Chicago's grid system. Together, the microgrid and energy initiatives represent progress in a community that might have otherwise been overlooked, Davis said.

Persons: Bronzeville, Jesse Owens, Louis Armstrong, Joe Biden, William Davis, Zheng, it's, Yami Newell, It's, Davis Organizations: Service, Congress, Heritage Area, Development Partnership, Illinois Institute of Technology, Black Metropolis Deemed, Department of Energy Locations: Chicago's Bronzeville, Bronzeville, New York, New Jersey, Texas

☆ Solar trees could soon be charging your car
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Metal trees with a seven-meter canopy of solar panels that generate electricity may soon be coming to car parks and shopping malls in the UK. In the UK, EV charging infrastructure is rapidly growing, with more than 40,000 public charging points installed by the end of April 2023, up 37% from the previous year, according to ZapMap, an EV mapping service. SolarBotanic Trees has partnered with RAW Charging to supply co-branded trees (shown here in a rendering) as part of a network of EV charging sites. Charging upSolarBotanic Trees are likely to cost between £18,000 and £25,000 ($22,000 to $30,000), considerably more than a conventional solar panel source. Shelley notes that he is also exploring creating a solar tree solution for powering electric scooter charging hubs.

☆ Do You Even Decarbonize, Bro?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Nell Gallogly | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Decarb bros believe it’s all going to be OK. And the bros, a loose affiliation of mostly young researchers, climate tech workers, policymakers and people following along online, believe in making fun of themselves, at least a little. See: “Decarb bros,” a term they have embraced regardless of gender identity or weight-lifting ability. “We are against doomerism,” said Billy Casagrande, who works at Scale Microgrids, a climate tech start-up. The consensus among young people seems to be “that we are screwed as it relates to climate,” the self-described decarb bro, who is 25, continued.

☆ Biden administration pushes to revitalize coal communities with clean energy projects
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Biden administration is channeling hundreds of millions of dollars from recent legislation into its efforts to turn coal communities into clean energy hubs, the White House said Tuesday. The effort includes $450 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the Department of Energy will allocate to an array of new clean energy demonstration projects on former mine lands. Many of the initiatives are made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Chips and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. The administration touted the potential benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill passed by Democrats to spur clean energy investments last year. The Biden administration said the working group has funneled over $14.1 billion in federal investments into the select communities.

☆ Puerto Rico solar switch a life and death matter -US energy chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Timothy Gardner | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] Cars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022. Puerto Rico has not typically been a large focus of U.S. energy chiefs. Colon covets the solar power Granholm offered, as it could also lower electricity bills, typically twice those on the mainland. Granholm said some 400,000 homes need rooftop solar but the $1 billion is only enough for up to 50,000 homes. Puerto Rico only generates about 3% of its electricity from renewables and the rest from fossil fuels.

☆ JFK airport's new terminal will be powered by a microgrid and the largest rooftop solar array in New York City
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A new terminal at New York's JFK will be partly powered by a microgrid, batteries, and fuel cells. John F. Kennedy International Airport's $9.5 billion New Terminal One will be partly powered by a microgrid with 11.34 megawatts of electricity from rooftop solar, gas fuel cells, and battery storage. A system that captures waste heat from the fuel cells will chill and warm water. The rooftop solar array — made up of more than 13,000 panels — will be the largest in New York City and at any US airport terminal, AlphaStruxure said. Installing fuel cells, instead of diesel generators, is estimated to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide, a toxic air pollutant, by 98%, Macias added.

☆ Jack Dorsey’s Block backs bitcoin mining company that wants to bring 25-cent electricity to rural Africa
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

So in February, she began spitballing creative solutions with two friends, and the three of them landed on a sort-of counterintuitive idea: bitcoin mining. The new 533 kilowatt site in Kenya where 300 kilowatts will be used for bitcoin mining. We're not doing bitcoin for bitcoin," said the lead for bitcoin mining and wallet at Block, Thomas Templeton. Block is also working on a project to make bitcoin mining more distributed and efficient. Making the mining process more accessible has to do with more than just creating new bitcoin, according to Templeton.

☆ GM takes on Tesla in home and commercial energy storage, management
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Paul Lienert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File PhotoDETROIT, Oct 11 (Reuters) - General Motors Co (GM.N) is expanding beyond car making, with plans to offer energy storage and management services to residential and commercial customers through its new GM Energy unit in a move that puts it in even greater competition with Tesla Inc (TSLA.O). "We're getting into the entire ecosystem of energy management," GM executive Travis Hester said in an interview. Hester said GM sees a total addressable market of $120 billion to $150 billion in energy storage and management. He declined to provide a revenue projection for GM Energy. GM's commercial service will offer similar capability to businesses, through larger stationary storage units as well as microgrids connected to hydrogen fuel cells developed by the automaker.

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