Homebuilders, storage integrators partnering is ‘here to stay’
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
Posted December 11, 2019
A new business model that involves homebuilders partnering with energy storage system integrators is “here to stay,” Brett Simon, Senior Analyst for Storage at consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, said on Dec. 3.
Utilities must transform to keep pace with changes: report
by Peter Maloney
APPA News
Posted December 11, 2019
Utilities must transform to keep pace with the changes sweeping through the electric power industry, according to a new report co-produced consulting firm Ernst & Young and the GridWise Alliance.
Moody’s maintains stable outlook for public power sector
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
Posted December 10, 2019
Moody's Investors Service is maintaining its stable outlook for the public power electric utility sector for 2019, reflecting declining leverage and growing liquidity amid an operating environment of low electricity demand, favorable interest rates, and low natural gas prices.
Report sees dramatic increase of solar-plus-storage projects
by Peter Maloney
APPA News
Posted December 10, 2019
A new study from the Brattle Group predicts that co-located solar-plus-storage projects are “expected to increase dramatically in the next couple of years” even as the investment tax credit (ITC) available to the developers of those projects declines in the coming years.
4 misconceptions about large-scale solar
by Patrick Smith
APPA News
Posted December 10, 2019
When it comes to large-scale solar for utilities and municipalities, the Solar Energy Industries Association reports that there are 37,000 MW in operation, with a whopping 74,000 MW additional in development. With such widespread solar adoption, it’s clear that many believe in the power of solar. However, there’s also a lot to understand behind the scenes, which can sometimes lead to misconceptions. Here, we’ll address and correct some of the more common ones.
NYPA, N.Y. utilities collaborate to refine mutual aid procedures
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
Posted December 9, 2019
The New York Power Authority (NYPA), along with its New York State utility partners, has reviewed and updated its mutual assistance protocol in advance of the winter storm season, NYPA reported on Dec. 6.
Study finds declining costs make Ore. offshore wind ‘promising’
by Peter Maloney
APPA News
Posted December 9, 2019
The prospects for the development of wind power projects off the coast of Oregon are “promising” but would require floating wind turbine technologies, according to a new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Conn. chooses 804 MW of offshore wind through solicitation
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
Posted December 6, 2019
A bid from developer Vineyard Wind has been selected to advance to contract negotiations with Connecticut's electric distribution companies to provide 804 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind through the development of the Park City Wind Project, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) said on Dec. 5.
ERCOT’s reserve margin climbs 2% for summer 2020
by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
Posted December 6, 2019
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Dec. 5 reported that its planning reserve margin for summer 2020 is forecasted to be 10.6%, based on resource updates provided to ERCOT from generation developers and an updated peak demand forecast.
Battery price drops driving EVs to parity by 2024: BNEF
by Peter Maloney
APPA News
Posted December 5, 2019
Global battery prices are expected to continue to drop, enabling electric vehicles to reach parity with internal combustion engines by 2024, according to a new report from research firm Bloomberg NEF.