Energy - East End

Energy Innovation's Michael O'Boyle and Silvio Marcacci outline the barriers to high-penetration wind and solar in the least-cost era

The following is a viewpoint from Michael O'Boyle, electricity policy manager for Energy Innovation, and Silvio Marcacci, communications director for Energy Innovation

utilitydive.com - by Michael O'Boyle, Silvio Marcacci - March 21, 2018

Wind and solar are now cheaper than virtually anyone predicted, and renewable technologies have reached an inflection point: Rapid cost declines made renewable energy the cheapest available sources of new electricity, even without subsidies, in 2017.  In many locations across America, building new wind energy projects is cheaper than running existing coal-fired power plants.

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Solar panels cover the roof of UCI's Student Center Parking Structure. A new study co-authored by Steven Davis, associate professor of Earth system science, shows that the U.S. can meet 80 percent of its electricity demand with renewable solar and wind resources.  Credit: Steve Zylius / UCI

CLICK HERE - STUDY - Geophysical constraints on the reliability of solar and wind power in the United States

Investment in greater storage, transmission capabilities needed

sciencedaily.com - University of California - Irvine - February 27, 2018

Summary: The United States could reliably meet about 80 percent of its electricity demand with solar and wind power generation, according to scientists.

The United States could reliably meet about 80 percent of its electricity demand with solar and wind power generation, according to scientists at the University of California, Irvine; the California Institute of Technology; and the Carnegie Institution for Science.

submitted by John Cooper

cleanegroup.org

Summary:

Researchers from NREL and Clean Energy Group found that placing a monetary value on the ability of solar+storage to avoid losses during grid outages can significantly impact project economics and system design. Using data from Southern California Edison, researchers analyzed the economic case for solar+storage for three customer types (school, office building, and hotel) in Anaheim, California. In each case analyzed, larger PV and battery storage systems were found to be economical when the value of resilience is accounted for.

CLICK HERE - Valuing the Resilience Provided by Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems

Justin Bell, LIPA's director of rates and regulation, speaks about the utility's new solar-energy pricing scheme, during a Uniondale meeting on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Photo Credit: Newsday / Mark Harrington

LIPA says the goal is to make sure the excess energy produced by home and business solar is properly valued so the programs last.

newsday.com - by Mark Harrington - November 27, 2017

A contingent of solar-energy installers, environmentalists and a construction company on Monday criticized a LIPA proposal that would alter the current system for valuing power produced by solar and other green-energy systems, saying it would stifle growth in a market already pressured by reduced state incentives.

At hearings in Hauppauge and Uniondale to seek input on the new plan, critics were unanimous in castigating the new system, which they said adds uncertainty and complexity to a program that works just fine in its current form. . . .

 . . . The Long Island Solar Energy Industry Association, an industry group, has launched a petition drive to oppose the program, which it says, will “negatively impact solar adoption at a time when we need to accelerate” it.