Articles tagged with "grid-resilience"
AI Could Snuff Out Wildfires One Power Line at a Time - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a new project led by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) aimed at preventing wildfires caused by fallen or degraded power lines through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Each year, a portion of wildfires in the U.S. are triggered by high-impedance (HiZ) faults—small electrical faults where energized conductors contact the ground, producing sparks that can ignite nearby flammable materials. These faults are difficult to detect due to their low energy output. To address this, NREL, funded by the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, developed machine learning models based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) to identify these faults early and enable utilities to respond quickly, thereby reducing wildfire risks and power outages. NREL partnered with Eaton, a multinational power management company, to simulate various downed conductor scenarios under different environmental conditions, generating extensive datasets. These datasets were integrated into NREL’s PSCAD grid simulation platform to create a large variety of
energyartificial-intelligencemachine-learningpower-systemswildfire-preventionhigh-impedance-faultgrid-resilienceThe Mobility House Energizes V2G Charging System for Fremont Unified School District’s Electric School Bus Fleet - CleanTechnica
The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) has successfully implemented a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging system for its electric school bus fleet, marking the first phase of a project supported by The Mobility House and partners including the World Resources Institute and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). This system uses six bidirectional chargers managed by The Mobility House’s ChargePilot® platform, which optimizes charging schedules and enables the buses to discharge energy back to the grid during PG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). This approach not only supports grid resilience during peak demand events but also helps the district reduce charging costs and improve operational efficiency. The V2G technology leverages the large batteries and predictable schedules of electric school buses to provide clean, reliable energy to the community while maintaining vehicle readiness for daily routes. The project, funded by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, exemplifies innovation in clean energy and electrified transportation. The Mobility House continues to expand its V2G and vehicle-grid
energyelectric-vehiclesvehicle-to-gridV2Gsmart-charginggrid-resilienceclean-energyGrid Resilience Planning for Extreme Cold & Ice Storms in the Midwest - CleanTechnica
The article announces an upcoming virtual webinar scheduled for August 8th, 2025, from 1–3 p.m. CT, focused on grid resilience planning in the Midwest, specifically addressing extreme cold and ice storms. The event is organized by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in collaboration with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the National Association of State Energy Officials. Participants will include state representatives from Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, utility experts, and Berkeley Lab researchers who will discuss strategies for enhancing grid resilience and respond to audience questions. The webinar primarily targets state agencies but is open to utilities and other interested parties. This initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office, highlighting federal involvement in regional grid resilience efforts. The article also encourages readers to register for the event and subscribe to CleanTechnica’s newsletters for further updates and analyses related to clean energy and grid planning.
energygrid-resiliencecold-weather-planningice-stormsutility-managementDepartment-of-Energyclean-energyJud Virden, Ph.D., Appointed Laboratory Director at NREL - CleanTechnica
Jud Virden, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and president of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, which manages NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He will assume the role on October 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Martin Keller. Virden was selected after a national search and brings extensive leadership experience from his tenure as associate laboratory director at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), where he oversaw about 1,700 staff working on DOE energy priorities including grid modernization and environmental management. His background includes a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and a strong record in public-private partnerships and advancing energy technologies. Dr. Virden’s appointment is seen as a strategic fit for NREL’s mission to accelerate energy innovation, with Alliance board co-chairs praising his scientific rigor, strategic vision, and collaborative approach. He expressed eagerness to build on NREL’s reputation and
energyrenewable-energyNRELenergy-innovationgrid-resilienceenergy-technologiesDepartment-of-EnergySolar & Storage Stability: How America Can Maintain Energy Security Through Severe Weather - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the critical role that solar power and battery storage play in enhancing energy security in the United States amid increasingly severe weather events. Extreme conditions such as heat waves, hurricanes, and winter storms are putting significant strain on the aging energy infrastructure, often leading to power outages when traditional systems fail. Distributed solar and storage systems have proven to be reliable alternatives, providing essential power during peak demand and emergencies. For instance, during a recent heat wave in New England, solar and battery storage supplied several gigawatts of electricity, saving households around $20 million and helping to prevent rolling blackouts. Similarly, Texas’s investments in solar have bolstered grid resilience during heat waves and winter storms. The article also emphasizes the resilience solar microgrids offer during hurricanes, citing examples like North Carolina’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene and Florida’s Babcock Ranch community, which has maintained power through multiple storms. Winter weather challenges, such as the 2021 Texas Freeze that caused massive outages and fatalities, have
energysolar-powerbattery-storageenergy-securityrenewable-energygrid-resilienceextreme-weatherRepurposed EV battery packs to power industries, supply 1.25 MW energy
energybattery-storagerenewable-energygrid-resiliencedecarbonisationEV-battery-packsclean-energyUnlock the Full Potential of Community Solar - CleanTechnica
energyrenewable-energycommunity-solarclean-energysolar-powergrid-resilienceenergy-independence5 Myths About Solar + Storage
solarenergyrenewable-energysolar-storagegrid-resilienceclean-energyenergy-costsMicrogrids Could Enhance Grid Resilience
energymicrogridsgrid-resiliencerenewable-energydisaster-recoveryelectricity-demandlocal-energy-solutions