Articles tagged with "grid-reliability"
Groups Challenge Trump Administration's Illegal Craig Coal Plant Extension - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a legal challenge by several public interest groups—including Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Earthjustice, GreenLatinos, Vote Solar, and Public Citizen—against the Trump administration’s Department of Energy (DOE) emergency order that extended the operation of Unit 1 at Colorado’s Craig Station coal plant. The unit was scheduled to retire on December 31, 2019, but the DOE’s December 30 order forced it to remain operational for 90 days, potentially longer, under regional grid authority direction. The groups argue that the order is illegal, unnecessary, and harmful, as it was not requested by the plant’s co-owners or state regulators, who support the retirement for economic and environmental reasons. They contend the order will increase utility bills, worsen air quality, and undermine years of careful state planning for a transition away from coal. The challengers emphasize that there is no actual energy emergency justifying the DOE’s action, which they describe as political interference favoring coal
energycoal-powerDepartment-of-Energypower-plant-extensionenvironmental-impactenergy-policygrid-reliabilityFrom Peak Load to Public Health: What Batteries Are Already Doing for Power Grids - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the evolving role of battery energy storage in power grids, using Ontario as a case study to illustrate how batteries complement traditional storage methods like pumped hydro. Ontario’s long-standing experience with pumped hydro storage, such as the Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station, has ingrained an operational approach centered on managing stored electricity to meet peak demand and maintain grid reliability. Batteries build on this foundation by offering faster response times—measured in milliseconds—and greater flexibility, as they can be deployed closer to consumption points and address localized congestion and peak loads more effectively than centralized pumped hydro systems. A key takeaway is that peak demand, rather than total annual energy consumption, primarily drives grid infrastructure costs. Transmission and distribution assets must be sized for peak loads, which occur only briefly but require costly overbuilding and lead to underutilized capacity. Batteries help flatten these demand peaks by charging during low-demand periods and discharging during high-demand times, thus increasing the utilization of existing infrastructure and reducing the need for new capital investments
energybattery-energy-storagepower-gridspeak-load-managementgrid-reliabilitypumped-hydro-storageelectricity-systemsNLR & Blip Energy Collaborate on Smart Home Battery System - CleanTechnica
Chicago startup Blip Energy is advancing its smart home battery and energy management platform, blipOne, through the 14th cohort of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), hosted at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). Selected alongside two other companies, Blip received $200,000 in nondilutive funding and technical support from NLR to rigorously assess the performance and market potential of blipOne. The device is a compact, self-install battery that plugs into standard outlets beside high-load home appliances to shift electricity use from peak to off-peak hours, reducing electric bills and easing grid strain. BlipOne’s technology enables energy arbitrage by charging when electricity is cheapest and discharging during peak demand periods, potentially saving users up to $300 annually. NLR’s mechanical engineer Ravi Kishore is conducting case studies to evaluate blipOne’s effectiveness across different building types and regions, with a focus on scaling beyond single-family homes to multifamily and commercial buildings.
energysmart-batteryenergy-managementgrid-reliabilityenergy-efficiencyhome-automationpeak-energy-demandSolar & Storage: The Key for Energy Affordability in Virginia - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica emphasizes that expanding solar energy and energy storage is the most immediate, cost-effective solution to meet Virginia’s growing electricity demand while enhancing affordability and grid reliability. Solar and storage technologies are highlighted as the fastest and cheapest new electricity sources to deploy, capable of coming online within months rather than years. By increasing access to distributed solar generation—such as rooftop, parking lot, landfill, and brownfield solar—and advancing grid-scale storage, Virginia can reduce pressure on electricity prices and give consumers greater control over their energy costs. The Solar Energy Industries Association supports a legislative agenda for Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly that includes raising the Renewable Portfolio Standard carveout for distributed solar, expanding energy storage goals, and streamlining residential solar permitting processes. These measures aim to stabilize the grid, lower electricity costs, and remove costly regulatory barriers that can add thousands of dollars to solar installation expenses. The article also notes that states across the political spectrum are investing in dispatchable energy storage to store cheaper electricity and
energysolar-energyenergy-storagerenewable-energygrid-reliabilitydistributed-generationclean-energy-policyGoogle to develop gigawatt AI campuses post nuclear reactor revival move
NextEra Energy and Google Cloud have expanded their partnership to develop multiple gigawatt-scale data center campuses across the U.S., building on an existing portfolio of about 3.5 GW of power capacity. This initiative aims to meet the growing energy demands of the technology sector, particularly for artificial intelligence (AI) operations, by accelerating data center deployment and addressing infrastructure challenges such as land acquisition, load interconnection, and power generation. A key element of their energy strategy is the revival of nuclear power, highlighted by plans to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa and add 600 megawatts of clean energy capacity to Oklahoma’s grid. NextEra has filed regulatory requests with FERC and the NRC to restore grid connection rights and shift from a planned solar project back to nuclear baseload power to ensure steady energy supply. Beyond physical infrastructure, the collaboration includes a digital transformation of NextEra’s operations using Google Cloud’s AI tools, such as the TimesFM 2.5 forecasting model and Weather
energynuclear-powerdata-centersartificial-intelligenceclean-energygrid-reliabilitycloud-computing3 Startups Join New IN2 Cohort Advancing Reliability in Built Environment - CleanTechnica
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a $55 million energy technology program coadministered by NREL and funded by Wells Fargo, has welcomed three startups into its latest cohort focused on advancing energy efficiency and reliability in commercial building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The selected startups—MicroEra Power, SkyCool Systems, and Verv Energy—offer innovative solutions such as a tunable thermal energy storage system, passive cooling technologies utilizing the sky, and diagnostic platforms for detecting HVAC performance anomalies. IN2 aims to accelerate the scaling and market adoption of technologies that support sustained building operations during grid outages, peak load events, and extreme weather, addressing growing electricity demand from sectors like data centers. MicroEra Power’s thermal energy storage system stands out for its safety, efficiency, and durability compared to lithium-ion batteries. It shifts HVAC loads to off-peak periods, improving energy efficiency by 20% while requiring minimal water and reducing capital expenses by downsizing heat pumps
energy-efficiencythermal-energy-storageHVAC-optimizationsmart-gridbuilding-energy-managementenergy-technology-startupsgrid-reliabilityLong Duration BESS + Solar Replace Coal Mines & Gas Extraction - CleanTechnica
The article highlights significant progress in Queensland, Australia, toward replacing coal mines and gas extraction with renewable energy solutions, particularly long-duration battery energy storage systems (BESS) paired with solar power. At the Stanwell Power Station site, a state government-owned facility, a memorandum of understanding has been signed with global investment firm Quinbrook to trial an 8-hour EnerQB battery supplied by CATL. This battery aims to store a full day’s solar energy and deliver continuous power during peak demand, enhancing grid reliability and potentially lowering electricity costs. The trial will assess the battery’s performance, scalability, and commercial viability, marking what is described as the world’s first true 8-hour battery storage solution. Quinbrook also plans to combine these batteries with open cycle gas turbines to support Queensland’s energy transition. In addition, AGL is seeking federal approval for a large-scale 500 MW/2 GWh lithium iron phosphate battery project in the Darling Downs region, near existing coal mines and gas extraction sites. This
energybattery-storagerenewable-energysolar-powergrid-reliabilitylong-duration-batteriesenergy-transitionBig Batteries Create Skinny Ducks, Reduce Gas - CleanTechnica
The article highlights a significant surge in large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Australia, driven by government incentives like the Cheaper Home Battery program and the country's abundant solar resources. These big batteries are helping to smooth out the solar "duck curve" by storing excess midday solar power, thus reducing reliance on gas-fired electricity generation. Notably, the success of the Tesla Big Battery at Hornsdale has spurred international companies to invest heavily in Australian battery projects, signaling a major shift toward cleaner, more reliable grid infrastructure. Several major projects are underway or planned, including Trina Storage's delivery of up to 5 GWh of battery systems between 2026 and 2028, in partnership with UK-based Pacific Green, and Akaysha Energy's Elaine BESS in Victoria, a 311 MW/1,244 MWh facility financed by BlackRock and others, which will connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM) and support renewable integration. Akaysha is also
energybattery-storageclean-energyrenewable-energygrid-reliabilityTesla-batteryenergy-transitionGovernment Clown Denies That Energy Storage Exists
The article criticizes Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for dismissing the existence and importance of energy storage technologies during a Fox Business interview. Burgum claimed that solar and wind energy are unreliable and intermittent, highlighting moments when wind contributed only 1-2% of electricity generation despite significant federal investment. The author counters this by noting that wind and solar together accounted for about 14% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and that other renewable sources like geothermal, biomass, and hydropower have lower reliability and output percentages. The piece further explains that the American Energy Dominance Plan favors energy sources that provide continuous 24/7 power—such as fossil fuels, nuclear, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower—while excluding wind and solar from its definition of "reliable" energy. This narrow definition ignores the broader, system-wide concept of reliability embraced by grid planners and the Department of Energy, which includes the integration of diverse energy
energyenergy-storagerenewable-energywind-powersolar-powergrid-reliabilityclean-energyIts Official Fossil Fuels Love Energy Storage Too
The article discusses Ameren Missouri’s recent move to integrate large-scale energy storage with fossil fuel power generation, highlighting a shift in how traditional energy companies view storage technology. Ameren has applied for a permit to build a 400-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage system alongside a new 800-megawatt natural gas power plant at its Big Hollow Energy Center in Jefferson County, Missouri. This marks Ameren’s first large-scale battery project and underscores that energy storage is not only critical for renewable sources like wind and solar but also increasingly important for fossil fuel plants to enhance grid reliability and meet rising energy demands. Despite political resistance to renewable energy expansion, the U.S. Department of Energy continues to support energy storage innovation, recently announcing $15 million in funding to accelerate commercial deployment. Ameren’s president, Mark Birk, emphasized that the new energy center aims to provide reliable backup power and prepare for anticipated increases in demand, reflecting broader concerns about climate impacts and extreme weather events. The battery system
energy-storagebattery-technologylithium-ion-batteriesrenewable-energynatural-gas-power-plantgrid-reliabilityenergy-infrastructureClean Energy Experts Say It’s Time To Move Beyond LCOE - CleanTechnica
A recent report from the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), long used as the primary metric for comparing clean energy technologies, is now insufficient for guiding investment and policy decisions in today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape. While LCOE is simple and standardized, it fails to capture critical system-level costs such as grid integration, storage, curtailment, and reliability challenges associated with variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar. As electrification and peak demand grow, relying solely on LCOE risks misdirecting investments, delaying decarbonization, and increasing long-term energy costs. The report highlights the value of clean firm power technologies—such as advanced nuclear, geothermal, long-duration storage, and carbon-capture-equipped combustion—that provide reliable, on-demand electricity regardless of weather or time. For example, Ontario’s approval of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) project demonstrates that despite a higher LCOE, clean firm power
energyclean-energyelectricity-decarbonizationrenewable-energyenergy-storagegrid-reliabilitynuclear-energyLeap Powers National Grid’s Virtual Power Plant Initiative in Massachusetts - CleanTechnica
National Grid, one of the largest energy utilities, has expanded its collaboration with Leap to implement virtual power plant (VPP) solutions at selected facilities in Massachusetts, following a successful pilot in New York. Using Leap’s software-only platform, National Grid’s office buildings will participate in Massachusetts’ Clean Peak Standard and ConnectedSolutions programs, which incentivize reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods. This initiative aims to enhance grid reliability, lower carbon emissions, and support the state’s climate goals by leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, EV chargers, and HVAC systems to balance grid demand without relying heavily on fossil-fueled peaker plants. The collaboration highlights the growing role of grid-interactive buildings as valuable resources in the energy transition. National Grid’s Vice President of New England Operations emphasized the importance of demonstrating distributed energy solutions’ critical role in advancing clean energy and resilience. Leap’s technology aggregates DER loads into virtual power plants, enabling participation in energy markets and helping to reduce customer costs
energyvirtual-power-plantdistributed-energy-resourcesgrid-reliabilityclean-energyenergy-transitionsmart-gridOffshore Wind Power's Big Benefits - CleanTechnica
energyoffshore-windrenewable-energyelectricity-marketgrid-reliabilityclean-energyenergy-costsNew Texas Bill Threatens Growth Of Wind & Solar Industry - CleanTechnica
energyrenewable-energywind-powersolar-powergrid-reliabilityTexas-legislationenergy-policy