By William Driscoll, PV Magazine
With an all-source procurement, a utility solicits bids to identify the costs of solar, wind and storage, which can be “significantly less expensive than new gas,” as an Indiana utility found. A clean energy group calls for state regulators to require all-source procurements, for the vertically integrated utilities that serve half the country. The report’s authors are offering a webinar to discuss their findings on Thursday, April 30. The report is titled “Making the most of the power plant market: Best practices for all-source electric generation procurement.” The ten case studies are presented in an appendix. The authors are John D. Wilson, Mike O’Boyle, Ron Lehr and Mark Detsky. Read more here.
MORE U.S. NEWS
- States Standing Strong on Clean Enegy Commitments Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Greentech Media. Durable state support for clean energy signals opportunities in the eventual economic recovery, Sam Kozel writes.
- 5 Key Threats for US Utilities as Earnings Season Kicks Off, Greentech Media
Utilities are seen as a safe haven in economic downturns, but COVID-19 brings unique challenges for a sector already in the throes of rapid transformation. - Utility-scale roundup: The days of big solar projects in the US are back, PV Magazine
- Tri-State, Colorado cooperatives in ‘race to the courthouse’ over exit fee jurisdiction, Utility Dive
- Investors donate solar panels to Jefferson County airport, Peninsula Daily News
The Jefferson Solar Group has donated its array of solar panels to the Port of Port Townsend and the Jefferson County International Airport, allowing the facility to have another 10 years of free power.
GLOBAL NEWS
- World has ‘historic’ opportunity for green tech boost, says global watchdog, Reuters
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said support from governments could drive rapid growth in battery and hydrogen technology to help the world to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. - Renewables vs. COVID-19: Iberdrola Grows Profits and Shows Europe a Path Beyond Crisis, Greentech Media. In the teeth of a pandemic, the Spanish utility and global renewables giant is profitable, accelerating its investments — and hiring.
- Solar and wind are the cheapest new sources of energy says BNEF, Smart Energy International
- The global economy depends on clean air, contributed GreenBiz article by Davida Herzl, CEO and Co-Founder of Aclima
DISTRIBUTED WIND & MICROGRIDS
Struggling Distributed Wind Sector Eyes Role in Microgrids Market, Greentech Media
Makers of small wind turbines have been crushed by solar energy. New R&D funding and a possible role in microgrids keep the sector hopeful.
WOODEN WIND TOWERS
First Wooden Wind Power Tower Erected In Sweden, Renewable Energy Magazine
The wind towers in wood can be built at a significantly lower cost than steel, which lowers the production cost of the wind power-generated electricity. The carbon dioxide absorbed by trees as they grow is stored in the wooden towers, which means that the wind turbines are climate neutral right from the start.
EV NEWS
- Clean Trucks Are More Important Than Ever, Natural Resources Defense Council
Sadly, big polluters are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to attack vital environmental rules by pressuring government agencies for regulatory delays, rollbacks, or weaken enforcement. One target of their lobbying is the ongoing Advanced Clean Truck rulemaking, which would put clean, zero-emission trucks on California’s roads starting in 2024. In response, state legislators, organized labor, health advocates, the clean technology industry, and environmentalists have all raised voices in support of life-saving regulations like the Advanced Clean Truck Rule that provide health, environmental, and economic benefits. - Harley-Davidson Stands Behind Electric Motorcycle Bet, Greentech Media
- Why the electric vehicle wave is still coming, GreenBiz
