Michael Terrell

check out our latest article!

3

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) undeniably plays a pivotal role in shaping the renewable energy landscape in the United States, with the solar industry standing out as a major beneficiary. Amidst this transformative era, there's burgeoning curiosity and conjecture regarding the potential shifts in trajectory should the Trump administration resume leadership. The following episode delves into these dynamics, offering a thoughtful analysis of the possible outcomes. #InflationReductionAct #RenewableEnergy #SolarIndustry

5

Merchant vs hedge in battery storage... That's what I'll be discussing at the Solarmedia Battery Asset Management Summit November 12 in San Diego I'll be on a panel with my friend Joe Crespo, Sandeep Arora of REV Renewables, Erdal Kara, PhD of Vistra Corp., Li Xu of LXI Capital and Sebastian Blake of Octopus Energy talking about risks and rewards, and sharing my Plus Power perspective #energystorage #batterystorage #batteries https://lnkd.in/eQDiv_Ax

5

As large swathes of America sizzle through record temperatures this week, the Energy Institute published its annual statistical review of world energy: it makes for grim reading for people hoping to see rapid progress on the energy transition... Amanda Chu has the story Countries burnt record amounts of oil and coal last year, sending global fossil fuel consumption and emissions to all-time highs, the Energy Institute reported. Oil demand grew 2.6 per cent, surpassing 100mn barrels per day for the first time. Meanwhile, the share of fossil fuels in the energy mix declined slightly by half a percentage point, but still made up more than 81 per cent of consumption.  While EI’s estimates are largely in line with the International Energy Agency’s, its authors offer a more sombre view of the pace of the energy transition compared with the Paris-based watchdog. “Today’s new data provides little encouragement in terms of global climate change mitigation,” said Nick Wayth, chief executive of EI. “Arguably, the transition has not even started.”  Financial Times Energy Institute

14

1 Comment

Yesterday, Politico posted another retelling of Stanford professor Mark Z. Jacobson's fantasy that U.S. electricity might, one day, be derived entirely from energy provided by wind, water, and sunlight (WWS). With his fellowship at Stanford's Precourt Institute of Energy, it would be easy to assume Jacobson's advocacy is motivated by financial interests - specifically, to promote sales of natural gas. Financing for the Institute, after all, came in the form of a $30 million gift from natural gas maven Jay Precourt - and the "renewable" sources of energy favored by Jacobson are dependent everywhere on backup generation from that fossil fuel. But for our purposes here, we'll assume less partial motives are driving his unwavering support for his hypothesis. Either that, or ignorance - because start to finish, his claims appear to have little basis in physics or electrical engineering. Politico's article begins by attributing the following claim to Jacobson: "On most days for the past month, renewable energy has powered 100 percent of California’s main grid for at least 15 minutes." A simple analysis of information publicly available from California's Independent System Operator (CAISO), however, reveals this claim to be 100 percent hoo-hah...nonsense. Why? Jacobson credits only the "renewable" ingredients of California's power mix with powering the state, but it isn't that simple. Those ingredients require natural gas plants to run constantly, smoothing their erratic generation. Without them, wind and solar would take California's grid down in a matter of minutes, or even seconds. Moreover, electricity demand must be met with supply, precisely and in real time. That the supply of wind, water, and solar, added together might equal demand at any moment is thoroughly a matter of chance - 100 percent uncontrollable. Between 9AM and 3PM, virtually every day of the year, home solar in the Golden State generates too much electricity, requiring CAISO to get rid of it. And forcing our unwanted electricity on our neighbors doesn't come cheap - we must buy it at "negative prices", i.e., pay them to take it off our hands. That California electricity customers are running out of patience with wind and solar is understandable. After Connecticut, our state now has the highest prices in the continental U.S., and it's all thanks to "renewable" energy. Enough is enough - it's 2024, and the time to reconsider California's 1960s-era plan to produce all of our power with clean, safe, and affordable nuclear energy is long overdue. There's no more time to waste.

2

5 Comments

It is exciting to see great discussions and policy work to expand Transmission Grid Capacity and the role of Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) in unlocking the Grid for more renewables. We at GridAstra acknowledge some of the pressing challenges mentioned - the laborious work to simulate GETs during studies and lack of software tools to help plan the Grid with GETs. GridAstra recently released ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ to address this very challenge by providing 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗚𝗘𝗧𝘀) 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀. The ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ can not only perform the detailed pre-projects and post-projects steady state analysis to identify the basecase and post-contingent constraints based on cluster studies, but can also provide automated suggestions for mitigating these constraints with GETs based controls. As a part of such GETs based control actions, it can automatically provide an optimal strategy by coordinating Grid Topology Reconfiguration and Advanced Power Flow Controllers (APFCs), or using any one of these control types based on your choice. In case you are wondering about where to place the APFCs in the Grid for optimal impact (with minimum APFC installation), our software can also help find that out for you! And last but not the least, this software can be easily integrated in your existing Interconnection Study workflows, thanks to its compatibility with industry-standard data formats. Ultimately, our goal with the ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ software is to empower Transmission operators, Utilities, and Generation project developers to reliably connect larger volumes of new generation in a much shorter period of time and at a much lower cost. If you are interested in a demo of our ‘𝙁𝙐𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉-𝙏 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿’ software, please reach out to us at info@gridastra.com or https://lnkd.in/g6BacNK5.

31

3 Comments

Shocking statistic: 92% of all persistently impoverished communities are served by co-ops. 🤯 With 110 on bill financing programs around the country (mostly run by co-ops), the barriers have never been lower to reduce bills. So why are these communities still suffering? Barriers: Accessibility. Education. Capital. Accessibility: Going through an energy audit, sourcing and hosting 3-5 contractors, and filling out loan applications with little support is HARD. Even tougher to go through this process with confidence.... Education: Expertise is hard to come by in co-op territories and delivering it is expensive! Capital: Many on-bill programs still have credit checks, lengthy bill payment criteria, and small loan funds. In other words, to be successful these programs MUST: 1) Reduce the time intensity 2) Educate homeowners -- get them excited to move forward with confidence! 3) Lighter capital requirements and raise bigger loan funds Is there something else that I've missed? A big thank you to Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo (he, his) for penning this paper and for all his effort helping co-ops get access to the capital they need to help their members! ______________ I'm Grant Gunnison Click my name + follow + 🔔 to learn how to get off gas and electrify P.S. If you'd like early access to our platform, repost this! #onbill #batteries #renewables #heatpumps

11

5 Comments

NEW: Natural gas will continue to be critically important to America’s economic and energy security for decades to come – and long after 2050. That’s one of the big takeaways from two new National Petroleum Council (NPC) studies issued this morning, both at the request of U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. NPC’s analysis of the natural gas supply chain calls for better measurement and continued reductions of methane emissions (U.S. methane emissions are down 37% since 2015), as well as streamlining of natural gas rules. API President and CEO Mike Sommers said NPC’s assessment lays the groundwork for harmonized federal methane regulations and for a clear and consistent permitting process for energy infrastructure. “To fully leverage America’s energy advantage and advance climate progress,” Mike said today, “continued collaboration between energy producers and policymakers will be essential.” The second NPC study said incentives are needed to boost demand for hydrogen fuel and support hydrogen infrastructure - essential to enable a lower carbon future. NPC said the 45V hydrogen tax credit, as proposed, is too risky and needs adjusting so that a broad array of businesses can feed into this lower carbon energy option. Dig into the details for more: https://lnkd.in/d8Yp-ABU

64

3 Comments

A New Report  Highlights Potential Strategies to Dramatically Reduce Carbon Emissions for the United States and Canada Aluminum Industry The Aluminum Association has released a groundbreaking roadmap detailing pathways to achieve significant carbon emission reductions in alignment with the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero by 2050 goals. Key findings and strategies include: Significant Head Start: North America's aluminum products have a carbon footprint approximately 50% lower than the global average, thanks to the use of low carbon primary aluminum, increased recycling, and voluntary emission reduction efforts. Aggressive Targets: Achieving net zero by 2050 will require aluminum production emissions to decline by: 24% by 2030 63% by 2040 92% by 2050 (compared to 2021 levels) Projected Growth: Aluminum output is expected to increase by 80% to meet the growing demand for sustainable metal across various sectors. Key Pathways: Technology and Efficiency: Innovations like inert anode smelting and energy efficiency improvements. Alternative Fuels and Carbon Capture: Transition to green hydrogen and electrification of furnaces. Grid Decarbonization: Use of clean energy technologies supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Enhanced Recycling: Optimizing scrap utilization to cut emissions significantly. Investment Needed: Achieving these goals will require substantial investment—estimated at $60 billion for North America alone—to meet global net-zero climate targets in the primary aluminum production segment. Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, emphasizes the industry's vital role in the clean energy transition, noting, “Achieving these ambitious targets by mid-century will require an all-of-society approach to decarbonization. The aluminum industry won’t be able to do this alone.” This research underscores the necessity of decarbonizing the energy sector to ensure broader industrial decarbonization. The North American aluminum industry is positioned to lead globally, but collaborative efforts and significant investments are critical to meeting the net-zero targets by 2050. https://lnkd.in/e_h_5q_5 #aluminium‍ #CLEANENERGY

46

I’m excited to share that the DOE Office of Technology Transitions, Voucher Program is live. We reopened five voucher opportunities (VO) to accelerate clean energy technology adoption and launched two new VOs with $15 million in available funding to support manufacturing! The Voucher Program is the result of outstanding collaboration with the DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), U.S. Department of Energy   Through this reopening, the Voucher Program will continue to lower barriers for small businesses and other organizations from underrepresented communities that may not have the in-house resources or funds needed to commercialize their technology. Since our program launch last year, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proud to have supported 111 entities with nearly $10 million in federal funding to address adoption risks and advance clean energy technology commercialization. These in-kind resources are being provided by 33 supporting organizations, including six National Labs.    Learn more about all seven open opportunities now: https://lnkd.in/e6qY9gvz #commercialization #technology #manufacturing #energy #innovation #jobs #startups #smallbusiness

189

2 Comments

This is why Qcells is working to onshore the solar supply chain. We need more control over our clean energy future. "At the end of the harrowing journey of the past four years lies one singular truth: Humanity has come to depend on a disorganized and rickety global supply chain for access to the products of our age, from lifesaving drugs and computer chips to toys and games. The system relies on myriad forms of labor exploitation, which has made it perpetually vulnerable to breakdown. And it has been constructed as a means of rewarding the investor class, often at the expense of reliability. The Great Supply Chain Disruption is not some curious piece of recent history. It is a preview of the dysfunction that surely lies ahead if we fail to get the machine in order." https://lnkd.in/gSfas8DT

38

1 Comment

It's so inspiring to fight for the folks that need the most help! It's awesome to see such a fantastic "spread the wealth" approach to the Solar for All program. Low income homeowners everywhere will have renewed access to affordable clean energy. These monumental investments are easy to praise for their top line dollar figures and they should be, but don't lose sight of the benefits that these dollars are going to bring. Tens of thousands of homeowners are going to be benefit from these dollars. Lower bills Cleaner energy Cleaner air Healthier lives. I can't wait to see all these programs spin up 🚀 🚀 🚀 ______________ I'm Grant Gunnison Click my name + follow + 🔔 to learn how to get off gas and electrify P.S. If you'd like early access to our platform, repost this! #emissions #decarbonization #incentives #solar #heatpumps

11

5 Comments

Today, in partnership with U.S. Department of State and the Bezos Earth Fund, we announced the formal governance and management structure for the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA). The ETA is a high-integrity carbon finance platform aimed at catalyzing climate finance to support ambitious just energy transition strategies that can protect people and planet from the climate crisis. Read more about the ETA: https://lnkd.in/e4yeNvHT

41

Congress passed the ADVANCE Act 88-2. This bill includes several reasonable and appropriate provisions to modernize regulation and more. It is the result of a substantial effort by many stakeholders. One key provision is aligning the NRC mission with the already in place Atomic Energy Act and Energy Reorganization Act. It reminds the NRC that the mission includes considering the benefits of nuclear energy technology to society, while still maintaining public safety and protecting the environment.

46

2 Comments

I will be speaking at Infocast’s California Clean Energy Procurement Summit on May 23! Stop by our panel, “Building A Robust Green Hydrogen Market in California — and Implications for the State’s Clean Energy Requirements,” which starts at 8:05 AM PT. This panel will explore strategies and challenges in scaling hydrogen infrastructure to support California's transition to a clean energy economy, most importantly we will discuss Resource Adequacy, Slice of Day and 100% Zero emission Peaker Plants. #RA, #Power, #Peaker, #Decarbonization, #Dispatchability  

24

Read up on my latest #PowerPlaybook finances column below! National Grid Partners has been curating quite the project portfolio

2

I'm very pleased to see that the International Energy Agency (IEA) has included a deep dive into the US Fusion Energy program as part of its in-depth review of US Energy Policy. Yet again, this shows that fusion is becoming a real-world option for energy. Their specific recommendation is spot-on: "The US Government should... Adapt existing federal government agency structures and resources to effectively meet the objectives set by the Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy. Continue to develop enabling conditions for the deployment of fusion energy, such as a regulatory framework and fuel availability, while strengthening co-ordination with the private sector to maximise the value of public investments." #fusionenergy, #cleanenergy

39