Sunrun plans to create a 30-MW virtual power plant by enrolling up to 7,500 rooftop solar and battery systems in PG&E’s footprint.

Sunrun, PG&E to roll out 30-MW virtual power plant to support California grid in the summer

Solar and battery storage provider Sunrun announced plans on Monday to create a 30-MW virtual power plant by enrolling up to 7,500 existing and new rooftop solar and battery systems in Pacific Gas & Electric’s footprint.

Storage systems that enroll in the program will be asked to discharge power to the grid every day between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. from August through October, a period when electricity demand in California tends to be the highest. Customers will be compensated with a $750 upfront payment and be given a free smart thermostat.

While virtual power plants are not a new technology, this one is different in that it is laser-focused on the peak of the summer, said Scott Peattie, director of business development with Sunrun. “[I]t will be reliably dispatching every day, so we’re not going to be waiting for an emergency alert from [the California Independent System Operator,]” Peattie said.

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Source: Utility Dive

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The water booster station’s microgrid includes 100 kW of onsite solar generation and 440 kWh of battery energy storage.

Solar microgrid to support critical water infrastructure

Extended power outages are a rising threat to community resilience, due to the rise of extreme weather events and an aging, centralized US electric grid. AEP Ohio has therefore contracted Eaton to help build a solar microgrid to support its Tussing water booster station.

A microgrid can operate fully independently, or on “island” mode, to provide continuous power throughout long-term outages. The water booster station’s microgrid includes 100 kW of onsite solar generation and 440 kWh of battery energy storage. The Eaton project is fully commissioned and is expected to reach operations this quarter.

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Source: PV Magazine

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The Desert Quartzite solar project will result in capital investment of $1 billion and supply clean power to roughly 120,000 homes.

Desert Quartzite approved for 300 MW/ 600 MWh of solar, storage in California

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The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the construction of the Desert Quartzite solar project near Blythe, California. EDF Renewables North America will develop 300 MW of solar, plus 600 MWh of storage.

“The BLM continues to approve responsibly-sited renewable energy projects to help advance clean energy production on public land and meet the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a net-zero economy by 2050,” said Karen Mouritsen, the California state director of the BLM. “The project will generate good paying union jobs, boost local economies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

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Source: PV Magazine

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Mama’s Kitchen's 13.26kW-DC rooftop solar project will save approximately 36,000 lbs. of CO2 emissions annually.

Mama’s Kitchen completes solar installation project

Mama’s Kitchen, the nonprofit organization known for its mission to deliver nutritious home-cooked meals to critically ill San Diegans, recently completed a solar installation project made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Solar Moonshot Program and local partners Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, Aloha Solar Power and Left Coast Fund.

The 13.26kW-DC rooftop solar project will save approximately 36,000 lbs. of CO2 emissions annually (the equivalent of 271 new trees plants), helping the nonprofit to keep delivering medically-tailored, delicious meals to critically ill San Diegans, but in a more environmentally-friendly way than ever before. Over the next few decades, the clean energy project will be helping reduce the impacts of the climate crisis and lessening climate injustices.

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Source: Patch

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The new 464 MW solar array is the largest ground mounted solar array project constructed on any Air Force installation.

Edwards AFB solar & battery storage project goes live

Edwards Air Force Base in southern California is home to the Air Force Test Center, Air Force Test Pilot School, and NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. It is the Air Force Materiel Command’s center for conducting and supporting research and development of flight, as well as testing and evaluating aerospace systems from concept to combat. It also hosts many test activities conducted by America’s commercial aerospace industry.

Its history as an Air Force installation began in 1932 when General Hap Arnold began acquiring land adjacent to Muroc Field for a place to practice bombing runs. During World War II, development of fighter planes was shifted there to prevent prying eyes from learning about America’s newest attack aircraft. Over the years, it has played a role in several historic aviation events, including Chuck Yeager’s flight that broke the sound barrier in the Bell X-1, test flights of the North American X-15, the first landings of the Space Shuttle, and the 1986 around the world flight of the Rutan Voyager.

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Source: Clean Technica

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Meta Platforms Inc has agreed to buy renewable energy credits and other environmental attributes associated with Vitol’s 50-MW Ocotillo Wells solar project in San Diego County, CA.

Meta to buy RECs from 50-MW solar project in California

US technology conglomerate Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) has taken another step towards its goal of securing 100% of renewables for its operations by signing a multi-year contract with energy and commodities trader Vitol.

The Facebook and Instagram owner has agreed to buy renewable energy credits and other environmental attributes associated with Vitol’s 50-MW Ocotillo Wells solar project in San Diego County, California. Meta will be making these purchases in support of its operations in the region, a news release from Vitol says.

The Ocotillo Wells solar plant will benefit from a 4-hour battery energy storage system (BESS). It is expected to become operational in the summer of 2023.

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Source: Renewables Now

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The Port of Oakland’s stake in a newly expanded solar array at Antelope Valley Solar Ranch has just come online.

Port of Oakland’s solar energy use grows

The Port of Oakland’s stake in a newly expanded solar array at Antelope Valley Solar Ranch has just come online. This solar project is now delivering renewable energy to the Port of Oakland. The Port owns and operates its own utility which then sells electricity to tenants including those at Oakland International Airport and the Oakland Seaport. The Port agreed to purchase approximately 11,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually from this solar farm in Lancaster, California.

“This is a project that has been six years in the making,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “Using renewable power sources to meet our energy needs is another important step towards zero-emissions and a greener port.”

Thirty percent of the Port’s power comes from solar.

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Source: AJOT

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KFC installs a solar-powered drive-thru in Bakersfield, CA to protect workers from the sun, and to save the unit $400,000 over its lifespan.

KFC installs solar-powered drive-thru in California

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KFC has unveiled a solar-powered drive-thru at its Bakersfield, Calif. location, the chain announced Thursday. The franchised unit is run by the Stewart Restaurant Group.

“We needed a canopy over our drive-thru to protect our team members taking orders outside of the building,” said Justin Stewart, co-owner of the Stewart Restaurant Group, in a statement. “When we compared the costs of a typical canopy to the costs and value of Integrate Solar’s canopy, the decision to go solar was a no-brainer!”

The solar paneling — designed by Integrate Solar — is on the location’s drive-thru to protect workers from the sun, and is expected to save the unit $400,000 over its lifetime.

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Source: Nation’s Restaurant News

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A 500kV, 125-mile transmission line between CA and AZ broke ground to give over 3GW of renewable energy capacity to the US Desert SW region.

Construction begins on 3GW transmission line between Arizona and California

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A 500kV, 125-mile transmission line between California and Arizona broke ground last week, promising to bring over 3GW of renewable energy capacity to the US Desert Southwest region.

Construction of the Ten West Link line was inaugurated by US vice president Kamala Harris and a number of federal and state officials last week, including secretary of the interior Deb Haaland and secretary of energy Jennifer Granholm.

The Department of the Interior said that the Ten West project will have the conductor capacity to transmit 3.2GW of solar capacity. Running across one of the US’ richest regions for solar potential, announcements of the construction highlighted the aim for the transmission line to accommodate significant solar PV and solar-plus-storage capacity additions.

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Source: PV Tech

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The Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a utility-scale solar storage project that can provide power to both AC and DC high-voltage lines

This solar + storage project could be a US grid game changer

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A team at the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a utility-scale solar and storage project that can provide power to both AC and DC high-voltage lines, and thus shore up grid stability – here’s how it works.

Most of the US power grid uses alternating current, or AC, which constantly switches the direction of electron flow. But solar and battery storage uses direct current, or DC, that flows in a single direction.

The US power grid includes a smaller number of high-voltage DC lines that are more efficient at delivering bulk power over long distances or to remote regions.

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Source: electrek

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