Solar Battle Lines
The fight over customer rooftops, grid funding, and net metering.
The fight over customer rooftops, grid funding, and net metering.
Booz Allen Hamilton, Siemens and Power Analytics will study the technical and economic feasibility of installing community microgrids in 16 cities across New York. These communities were each awarded $100,000 in initial microgrid funding through New York State's NY Prize competition in order to evaluate how microgrids local energy networks that are able to separate from the larger electrical grid can expand customer choice, ensure power reliability, improve resiliency and preserve the environment.
Alstom was awarded the $1.2 million Microgrid Research Development and System Design (RD&D) project by the US Energy Department (DoE). Alstom is one of seven organizations to receive microgrid funding ($8 million total) from the DOE. The objective of this funding is to perform research, development and testing of advanced microgrid controllers capable of managing and controlling microgrid systems to improve viability, reliability and resiliency of the electric distribution grid.
FERC Order 1000 and the case for alternative solutions.
How FERC Order 1000 gives short shrift to NTAs (non-transmission alternatives) in regional system planning—while consumers pay the price.
Distribution utilities could become an important source of renewable funding.
Distribution utilities are well positioned to provide tax equity for renewable projects, but some state laws prevent it. Tapping the potential will require progressive leadership by utility executives and regulators.