Articles tagged with "microgrids"
38 Coastal, Remote, & Island Communities To Pursue Energy Reliability via Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project - CleanTechnica
The Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project (ETIPP), led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), is supporting 38 coastal, remote, and island communities in its fifth cohort to address unique energy challenges related to affordability, reliability, and security. This cohort is the largest yet and includes communities from diverse regions such as the Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Pacific territories, and various U.S. seaboards. ETIPP connects these communities with national energy experts from four national laboratories—Lawrence Berkeley, NLR, Pacific Northwest, and Sandia—to provide technical analysis, modeling, and decision support tailored to local needs. The program offers two tracks depending on the community’s stage of energy planning: a 4–8 month strategic planning phase for those in early stages, and a 12–24 month detailed analysis and validation phase for communities with existing energy plans or projects. Proposed projects focus on strengthening energy systems against
energyenergy-technologymicrogridsenergy-reliabilityenergy-innovationremote-communitiesenergy-planningSingapore Reimagines Jurong Island as a Global Low-Carbon Testbed as it Celebrates its 25th Anniversary - CleanTechnica
Singapore’s Jurong Island, traditionally a petrochemical and refining hub, is celebrating its 25th anniversary by transforming into a global low-carbon testbed aimed at supporting the country’s energy transition. Originally developed to anchor multinational petrochemical companies and create an integrated chemicals value chain, Jurong Island now hosts over 100 global firms and remains central to Singapore’s manufacturing sector. However, facing global shifts such as declining petrochemical demand, stricter regulations on plastics, and increased scrutiny on industrial emissions, Singapore is pivoting the island toward specialty chemicals, sustainable materials, and next-generation fuels. Nearly 300 hectares have been allocated for new-energy infrastructure, including hydrogen production, ammonia storage, sustainable aviation fuel pathways, and advanced battery systems, signaling Jurong Island’s role as a platform for national decarbonization efforts. Key initiatives unveiled during the 25th anniversary include six new partnerships involving global companies, government agencies, universities, and climate-tech providers, focusing on proving and scaling low-carbon technologies under real
energylow-carbon-technologieshydrogensustainable-materialsmicrogridsspecialty-chemicalsdecarbonizationHow much of the AI data center boom will be powered by renewable energy?
The article discusses the rapid growth of AI data centers and their significant power demands, highlighting that global spending on data centers is projected to reach $580 billion this year—surpassing investments in new oil exploration by $40 billion. This shift underscores the evolving global economy and raises concerns about the strain on electrical grids, especially as many data centers are planned near large urban populations. The majority of electricity demand from these centers is expected to come from the U.S., with China and Europe also contributing substantially. The article emphasizes that renewable energy adoption will likely be driven more by business considerations than environmental policies. A key potential positive noted is the opportunity for innovation in renewable energy and data center design, with companies like Redwood Materials launching initiatives such as Redwood Energy to create microgrids powered by repurposed EV batteries specifically for AI data centers. This approach could help mitigate grid stress, particularly in regions prone to power shortages like Texas. However, questions remain about how many planned data centers will actually be built given the enormous
energyrenewable-energydata-centersAI-data-centerselectrical-gridsmicrogridsbattery-recyclingSolar Is Becoming A Valued Global Solution To Fight Power Outages - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the growing global recognition of solar energy as a reliable solution to power outages and energy access challenges, especially in the wake of extreme weather events like Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. While the hurricane caused prolonged power outages and infrastructure damage, residents with solar-powered homes retained electricity, underscoring solar’s resilience. This scenario reflects a broader trend where countries worldwide, particularly in the Global South, are increasingly adopting distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, microgrids, and small wind turbines to gain energy independence, improve reliability, and provide electricity where grids are unreliable or nonexistent. Solar energy’s scalability and ease of deployment make it especially suited for DER applications. Innovations like plug-in solar systems and portable solar generators enable households to offset power use without complex installations or regulatory hurdles. The article notes rapid solar capacity growth in emerging markets like Pakistan, Thailand, and others in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, driven by the urgent need for affordable, reliable energy and energy sovereignty. Governments and
energysolar-powerrenewable-energydistributed-energy-resourcesmicrogridsenergy-storageclean-energyThe coming data center boom that’ll change energy forever
The article discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the energy demands of data centers, highlighting a significant upcoming surge in electricity consumption driven by AI workloads. Kyle Baranko, Head of Product at Paces, emphasizes that the energy industry is intensely focused on data centers due to their rapidly growing power needs, with forecasts predicting U.S. data center power demand could rise from about 55 gigawatts today to 300 gigawatts by 2030. This growth is compounded by other electrification trends such as electric vehicles and hydrogen. Baranko notes that while AI contributes to increased energy demand, it also offers solutions by streamlining complex and time-consuming processes in energy project development, such as site research, permitting, and utility interconnection studies, thereby reducing project failure rates and accelerating deployment. Sustainability is a core concern in the evolution of AI-powered data centers. Baranko advocates for co-locating data centers with solar power and battery storage, using fossil fuels only as backup
energydata-centersartificial-intelligencerenewable-energysolar-powermicrogridssustainabilityPuerto Rico Keeps Getting Hammered By Political Storms - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the ongoing political and infrastructural challenges Puerto Rico faces, particularly regarding its electrical grid. Puerto Rico, a US commonwealth since the Spanish-American War, suffers from high import costs due to the Jones Act and has a geographically challenging terrain that complicates infrastructure maintenance. The island’s electrical grid, centralized along the south coast and reliant on outdated transmission lines crossing difficult mountainous terrain, was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The US government’s decision to rebuild the grid around centralized fossil fuel generation has been controversial, especially as the island’s residents increasingly adopt decentralized energy solutions like rooftop solar and microgrids. A recent IEEFA report shows that over 10% of Puerto Rico’s electricity consumption now comes from rooftop solar, with about 1.2 gigawatts installed as of mid-2025. The number of solar systems has quintupled in four years, driven by residents seeking to escape the unreliable grid, which has seen worsening outage metrics compared to
energyrenewable-energysolar-powermicrogridsdistributed-energy-resourceselectricity-gridPuerto-Rico-energy-crisisThe Dutch Grid in 2050 — Conclusions & Craziness - CleanTechnica
The article "The Dutch Grid in 2050 — Conclusions & Craziness" outlines the transformative evolution of the Netherlands' electricity grid from a centrally managed system dominated by a few monopolies to a decentralized, competitive free market involving hundreds of producers and startups. This new grid architecture shifts from a hierarchical model to a web-like structure, enabling energy flow from any source to any user at any time. The grid will be divided into an international transport network and interconnected distribution grids, all publicly owned. A significant change is the rise of prosumers—users who also produce energy—alongside the emergence of real and virtual microgrids managed by user groups. This transition also involves a shift away from fossil fuels for heating and industrial processes toward electrification, requiring widespread appliance replacement, building adjustments, and new energy management practices. Despite the complexity, the article argues the transition is manageable due to its repetitive, scalable nature—such as installing millions of heat pumps and EV chargers—and predictable costs. However, bureaucr
energysmart-gridrenewable-energyenergy-transitionprosumersmicrogridselectric-vehiclesSolar Plus Battery Storage - This Changes Everything - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the transformative impact of combining solar power with battery storage on energy systems and societies. It highlights a reader’s insightful prediction that as battery packs become cheaper and more widespread, affluent consumers will increasingly disconnect from traditional power grids, opting for self-sufficient solar-plus-storage setups. This shift could reduce utility profits and halt grid improvements, potentially leading to government intervention or a decline in grid services. However, this decentralization also increases system redundancy, reducing the risk of widespread outages caused by cyberattacks, natural disasters, or other disruptions, signaling a move from centralized grids to localized “islanding” energy systems. A real-world example is Pakistan, where cheap Chinese solar panels and lithium-ion batteries have enabled many users to exit the unreliable and costly traditional grid. In 2024, Pakistan imported 17 GW of solar PV and 1.25 GWh of batteries, with projections of battery imports rising to 8.75 GWh by 2030, potentially meeting over
energysolar-powerbattery-storagerenewable-energymicrogridsenergy-sovereigntylithium-ion-batteriesThe Mobility House Promotes Energy Independence - CleanTechnica
The Mobility House, a company specializing in electric vehicle (EV) charging systems, maintains a strong presence in the US, Europe, and parts of Asia, focusing on innovative solutions like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology and microgrids. Despite a reduction in federal funding for EV infrastructure in the US, the company continues to advance projects that enhance energy resilience and independence. A notable example is the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot in Maryland, which integrates solar power, battery storage, gas generation, and The Mobility House’s ChargePilot smart charging software. This system enables dynamic load management and ensures fleet operations can continue during grid outages by prioritizing essential charging, symbolizing a shift toward energy systems that can operate independently of traditional grids. The Mobility House’s ChargePilot platform is also deployed in major North American transit projects, including New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a fleet near San Jose, California, demonstrating its adaptability across various fleet types and grid conditions. While federal support for EV infrastructure is
energyelectric-vehiclesmicrogridsbattery-storagesmart-chargingrenewable-energygrid-managementUS firms to give used EV batteries a second life to feed AI hunger
General Motors (GM) and Redwood Materials have partnered to repurpose used electric vehicle (EV) batteries into large-scale energy storage systems, addressing a critical environmental challenge posed by the upcoming influx of first-generation EV batteries. This initiative supports GM’s sustainability strategy by providing a second life for retired automotive battery packs, which typically retain substantial energy capacity even after falling below optimal levels for vehicle use. The repurposed batteries are integrated into microgrids—localized, independent power grids that offer highly reliable, uninterrupted electricity—crucial for energy-intensive operations such as AI data centers. A notable project in Sparks, Nevada, already powers a 63 megawatt-hour microgrid supplying energy to an AI infrastructure company, marking the largest such installation in North America. The program tackles the growing demand for energy storage solutions driven by the rapid expansion of AI data centers, which are expected to triple their share of U.S. electricity consumption from 4.4% in 2023 to 12% by
energyelectric-vehicle-batteriesenergy-storagemicrogridssustainabilitybattery-recyclingAI-data-centersMicrogrids Could Enhance Grid Resilience
energymicrogridsgrid-resiliencerenewable-energydisaster-recoveryelectricity-demandlocal-energy-solutions