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12.30.20 Grid Edge 1

The grid edge in 2020 was driven by decarbonization and climate change pressures, and by policy and technology advances.

Greentech Media’s Must-Read Grid Edge Stories of 2020

Decarbonization, resiliency, distributed energy market policy and M&A in the year of COVID-19.

by Jeff St. John

12.23.20 Energy Storage 4

Behind-the-meter batteries like this AMS installation in Irvine can provide grid services and on-site backup power plus load management. (Credit: AMS)

PG&E’s Latest Energy Storage Procurement Includes Fleet of Behind-the-Meter Batteries

Distributed batteries join utility-scale energy storage projects to balance California’s solar-powered grid.

by Jeff St. John

12.18.20 Grid Edge 32

Renewables could double by 2030 with key Biden administration steps, but hitting 50 percent will take stronger federal action.

Report Outlines How US Could Reach 50% Renewables by 2030

Biden administration actions could double renewables by 2030, but new laws will be needed to achieve greater gains, Wood Mackenzie finds.

by Jeff St. John

12.17.20 Energy Storage 5

The battery is expected to come online in summer 2021.

Google to Test Data Center Battery Backup That Also Serves the Grid

Google wants to “make the most” of required data center backup systems on its quest for 24/7 clean energy.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant

12.11.20 Grid Edge 5

California startup Swell is tapping into growing investor appetite for behind-the-meter energy resources that can also serve grid needs. (Credit: Swell)

Swell Readies $450M in Financing for Solar-Plus-Battery Virtual Power Plants

The California startup’s plans for virtual power plants in three states add to a group of fast-growing investments in distributed energy as assets.

by Jeff St. John

12.10.20 Grid Edge 3

California faces tough cost, reliability and technology choices when it comes to microgrid options for fire-prevention blackouts.

California Faces Big Challenges to Microgrid Plans for Wildfires and Outages

Proposed regulations have an uphill battle to speed PG&E’s switch from mobile diesel to cleaner, more cost-effective alternatives by 2021.

by Jeff St. John

12.09.20 Energy 4

Virginia's gigawatt-scale renewable growth plans aren't enough to zero out the state's carbon footprint.

Report: Virginia’s 100% Clean Energy Law Insufficient to Tackle Climate Change

Cash-strapped legislatures are confronting climate change amid a pandemic, and current policy likely needs expansion.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant

12.07.20 Energy Storage 5

Southern California Edison's second major battery procurement so far this year will bring 590 megawatts online by 2023.

Southern California Edison Inks Another Massive Round of Utility-Scale Battery Contracts

A total of 585 megawatts of utility-scale projects with Recurrent, NextEra and 174 Power Global/Hanwha Group, plus a 5-megawatt behind-the-meter contract with Sunrun.

by Jeff St. John

12.07.20 Grid Edge 8

Is This the Electric Vehicle Filling Station of the Future?

U.K.’s Gridserve opens its first electric filling station with 36 low-carbon-powered chargers.

by John Parnell

12.04.20 Energy Storage 2

Stem is seeking a $1.35 billion valuation on the NYSE, as it seeks to compete against deep-pocketed contenders in the energy storage space. (Credit: Stem)

Behind-the-Meter Battery Pioneer Stem to Take SPAC Route to Public Markets

One of last free-standing storage startups seeks capital for increasingly competitive battery business

by Jeff St. John

Pushing Past the Distributed vs. Large-Scale Solar Debate

GTM Squared

Pushing Past the Distributed vs. Large-Scale Solar Debate

A new study argues against either/or visions for the renewables powering the future electricity grid.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant | December 4, 2020

12.02.20 Grid Edge 4

Scottish and Southern Energy Networks has picked Oxfordshire for the next test of its grid market system for distributed energy. (Credit: SSEN)

How the UK Is Building Grid Markets to Reward Flexible Distributed Energy

Opus One and Scottish & Southern Energy take the next steps in the U.K.’s integrated-grid vision.

by Jeff St. John

12.01.20 Grid Edge 1

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is back to five members after Monday's Senate confirmation.

Senate Confirms Democrat Clements, Republican Christie to FERC

The commission will retain a Republican majority, but the Biden administration is likely to name a new chair.

by Jeff St. John

11.18.20 Grid Edge 2

Patti Poppe, now CEO of CMS Energy, will take the helm of California's largest utility as it struggles to rebuild trust, improve safety and strengthen its finances. (Credit: PG&E)

PG&E Picks New CEO to Lead It Through Post-Bankruptcy Challenges

Patti Poppe, now CEO of Michigan utility CMS Energy, will seek to revamp PG&E’s safety programs, prevent wildfires and manage grid outages.

by Jeff St. John

11.18.20 Grid Edge 4

Richard Glick, pictured with fellow FERC commissioner Neil Chatterjee, is seen as a likely pick to chair the key federal grid regulator under the Biden administration (Credit: FERC)

The Top Priorities of FERC’s Most Likely New Chairman Under Biden

Richard Glick, FERC’s sole Democrat, supports taking a “serious look” at capacity market rules that undermine states’ clean energy policies.

by Jeff St. John

11.03.20 Solar 7

SolarEdge is unlikely to deliver its own battery until early 2021, CEO Zvi Lando says in third-quarter earnings call. (Credit: SolarEdge)

SolarEdge Delays Battery Launch as Residential Solar Sales Bolster Slow Commercial Rebound

SolarEdge marks a strong Q3 with record European revenue, but COVID-19 pushes back its battery launch.

by Jeff St. John

11.02.20 Grid Edge 66

If approved by regulators, Arizona's new clean energy mandate will bring it in line with other states with zero-carbon by 2050 goals such as California and New York.

Arizona Outlines Possible Path to 100 Percent Clean Power by 2050

A close regulatory vote set a target of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and a distributed storage mandate for investor-owned utilities, but the policies still need final approval.

by Jeff St. John

10.28.20 Grid Edge 1

There's hard work ahead to achieve Order 2222's vision for batteries, electric vehicles, smart buildings and virtual power plants.

4 Big Challenges Facing FERC’s Plan to Open Up Power Markets to Distributed Energy

Utilities and state regulators may struggle with the new federal mandate to allow behind-the-meter resources access to wholesale energy markets.

by Jeff St. John

10.23.20 Grid Edge 23

Waitlisted battery projects will get some relief without tapping funds aimed at those most vulnerable to fire-prevention blackouts.

California Shifts $100M in Behind-the-Meter Battery Incentives to Low-Income Communities

The new funds are designed to boost resilience for a broader group of customers threatened by wildfires and rolling blackouts.

by Jeff St. John

10.22.20 Grid Edge 14

VPPs can include batteries, electric vehicles, smart appliances, flexible heating and cooling loads, on-site generators, and other grid-responsive assets.

So, What Exactly Are Virtual Power Plants?

GTM helps explain a growing grid resource that can mimic power plants without dominating the landscape.

by Jason Deign

10.21.20 Grid Edge 6

Nevada's biggest utility wants to use blockchain technology to track renewable energy down to the kilowatt-hour scale.

A Blockchain-Enabled Smart Meter for Clean Power Trading?

NV Energy tests digital tech to track kilowatts of clean energy from cradle to grave.

by Jeff St. John

10.21.20 Grid Edge 4

Distributed solar, batteries and flexible loads can replace the need for new power plants at lower cost, proponents say.

Why Build a Power Plant if You Can Make a Virtual One?

The Enel X deal in Taiwan shows how virtual power plants can outcompete thermal generators.

by Jason Deign

10.20.20 Grid Edge 3

FERC is being asked to undo a decade-old state

Demand Response Provider Asks Feds to Open States to Energy Market Competition

Petition says failing to end state “opt-out” rules is unfair to customers and could undermine FERC Order 2222.

by Jeff St. John

10.19.20 Solar 164

Customer economics for on-site renewables are compelling in California, the author writes.

Industry Perspective

I Fully Converted a Home to Electricity. Here’s How It Worked — and What It Cost

Currently available solar, battery and heat pump technology means every building under two stories with a sunny roof can be a net generator of energy.

by Barry Cinnamon

10.15.20 Grid Edge 10

FERC's order could end a two-year hiatus in country's biggest grid capacity market, but it doesn't resolve worries from states with clean energy goals.

FERC Order Will Restart PJM’s Capacity Market

But state-subsidized clean energy resources and programs still face major challenges.

by Jeff St. John

How Cheap and Abundant Can Clean Power Get?

Climate Fintech Startup Atmos Financial Puts Savings to Work for Clean Energy

Could Chile’s Auction Help Save CSP From Oblivion?

What the Coming Wave of Distributed Energy Resources Means for the US Grid

Extreme Weather Keeps Maxing Out the Grid

A Wartime Plan for Electrifying America

An Island’s Path to 100% Renewables

Greentech Media Chronicled Clean Energy Before It Was Cool

Are Batteries at a Turning Point?

Vestas Ventures Makes First Investment With Stake in Wooden Tower Start-Up

Vestas Launches World’s Largest Turbines as 'Big 3' Competition Ramps Up

BP, RWE and EnBW Win Big in UK Offshore Wind Leasing Round

How Cheap and Abundant Can Clean Power Get?

Climate Fintech Startup Atmos Financial Puts Savings to Work for Clean Energy

Could Chile’s Auction Help Save CSP From Oblivion?

Electric Car News

Greentech Media’s Must-Read Grid Edge Stories of 2020

PG&E’s Latest Energy Storage Procurement Includes Fleet of Behind-the-Meter Batteries

Report Outlines How US Could Reach 50% Renewables by 2030

Google to Test Data Center Battery Backup That Also Serves the Grid

Swell Readies $450M in Financing for Solar-Plus-Battery Virtual Power Plants

California Faces Big Challenges to Microgrid Plans for Wildfires and Outages

Report: Virginia’s 100% Clean Energy Law Insufficient to Tackle Climate Change

Southern California Edison Inks Another Massive Round of Utility-Scale Battery Contracts

Is This the Electric Vehicle Filling Station of the Future?

Behind-the-Meter Battery Pioneer Stem to Take SPAC Route to Public Markets

Pushing Past the Distributed vs. Large-Scale Solar Debate

How the UK Is Building Grid Markets to Reward Flexible Distributed Energy

Senate Confirms Democrat Clements, Republican Christie to FERC

PG&E Picks New CEO to Lead It Through Post-Bankruptcy Challenges

The Top Priorities of FERC’s Most Likely New Chairman Under Biden

SolarEdge Delays Battery Launch as Residential Solar Sales Bolster Slow Commercial Rebound

Arizona Outlines Possible Path to 100 Percent Clean Power by 2050

4 Big Challenges Facing FERC’s Plan to Open Up Power Markets to Distributed Energy

California Shifts $100M in Behind-the-Meter Battery Incentives to Low-Income Communities

So, What Exactly Are Virtual Power Plants?

A Blockchain-Enabled Smart Meter for Clean Power Trading?

Why Build a Power Plant if You Can Make a Virtual One?

Demand Response Provider Asks Feds to Open States to Energy Market Competition

I Fully Converted a Home to Electricity. Here’s How It Worked — and What It Cost

FERC Order Will Restart PJM’s Capacity Market