Tag Archive for: energy

A study indicates that it would be financially viable to close more than 800 coal-fired power plants in emerging countries and replace them with solar installations by the end of the decade.

800 coal-fired power plants to be replaced by solar installations by 2030

Today, some 2,000 gigawatts of coal-fired power plants generate 15.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. According to the IEA(International Energy Agency), emissions must reach zero by 2040 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, closing coal-fired power plants represents a significant cost, especially when these facilities are still in debt or tied to long-term power purchase agreements.

Profitable transition opportunities

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has identified over 800 coal-fired power plants in emerging countries that could be profitably closed down and replaced by solar installations by the end of the decade. Of these, around 600 were built more than 30 years ago and have already paid off their debt, while the remaining 200, built between 15 and 30 years ago, could also be profitably replaced.

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Source: Energy News

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In March alone, solar accounted for 99.7% of capacity added, marking the seventh month in a row in which it provided more new US electrical generating capacity than any other energy source.

Solar was almost 100% of new electrical capacity added in the US in March

In its latest monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update” report (with data through March 31, 2024), FERC says 52 “units” of solar provided 2,833 MW of new domestic generating capacity in March or 99.72% of the total. The balance consisted of 3 MW each of new biomass and oil capacity plus 1 MW each of new hydropower and natural gas capacity.

For the first quarter of this year, solar accounted for 86.79% (or 6,497-MW) of new generating capacity brought online while wind contributed another 12.40% (928-MW). Natural gas trailed with only 49 MW (0.65%) accompanied by 5 MW of oil, 3 MW of biomass, 3 MW of “other,” and 1 MW of hydropower.

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Source: Solar Power World

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PG&E is using remote microgrids to eliminate overhead distribution lines in high fire threat areas, reducing wildfire risks.

PG&E announces 6 new remote microgrids coming in 2024

Northern California utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) announced Tuesday that it will expand its remote grid program, adding six new installations in 2024.

Remote grids, also known as remote microgrids, operate independently from the larger electric grid. They provide stand-alone local energy resources to defined areas, allowing the utility to remove long overhead electric distribution lines, reducing wildfire risk and service interruptions for remote customers.

Remote grids often use low-carbon energy sources, such as solar, to provide reliable electricity to customers while also minimizing emissions.

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Source: MICROGRID KNOWLEDGE

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Solar panels are often tilted to a stowed position to prevent wind damage to utility-scale assets. Array Technologies introduced a passive stowing strategy that prevents unnecessary production losses.

Passive solar tracker wind stowing boosts energy production

During high wind events, utility-scale solar assets are often automatically tilted to a stowed position to prevent damage and downtime from repairs. High wind can cause solar panels to vibrate and rotate, leading to microcracking, twisting, or shattering of panels.

However, stowing solar trackers can lead to a loss of production as they do not follow the sun in an active stow system.

Array Technologies, a leading provider of solar tracker systems, worked with independent engineering and design firm DNV to study an alternative method to active stowing called passive stowing. The analysis focused on evaluating the energy losses associated with various tracker wind stow methods and considered multiple variables, including wind velocity stowing thresholds, wind direction, dwell time, stow exit wind velocity threshold, stow angle, and stow direction.

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Source: PV Magazine

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Solar is the major driver of this energy transition. EIA said that solar will provide 41% more electricity in 2024 than in 2023.

Solar to contribute over 60% of new US electricity generation in 2024

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Short-Term Energy Outlook report, forecasting that the total electricity generation capacity in the United States will increase 3% in 2024 and 1% in 2025.

“Renewable energy sources—chiefly solar—will supply most of that growth,” said EIA.

Solar, wind, and hydropower in 2023 combined for roughly 21% of electricity generation in the United States. EIA expects this figure to grow to 24% in 2025.

Solar is the major driver of this energy transition. EIA said that solar will provide 41% more electricity in 2024 than in 2023. EIA said the 19 GW of solar capacity added in 2023 and the over 37 GW expected this year account for the large jump in generation. In 2025, total solar generation is expected to grow another 25%.

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Source: PV Magazine

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California’s grid operator proposes $6.1B in transmission projects aimed at increasing reliability and providing access to solar, geothermal & wind resources in AZ, NV, NM and offshore.

California grid operator proposes $6.1 billion in transmission projects

California’s grid operator proposes $6.1 billion in transmission projects aimed at increasing reliability and providing access to solar, geothermal and wind resources in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and offshore. (Utility Dive)

ALSO:

The Southwest Power Pool formally proposes a day-ahead power market for Western utilities, setting up a competition with the California grid operator’s rival plan. (Utility Dive)
Federal investigators offer a $25,000 reward for information regarding a 2023 attack on an electrical substation in southern California. (Press-Telegram)

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Source: Energy News Network

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CA, TX and FL are leading the country in solar power generation, while TX, IA and OK are the leaders in wind energy, per a new analysis.

America’s solar and wind energy hotspots, mapped

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California, Texas and Florida are leading the country in terms of solar power generation, while Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma are the leaders in wind energy, per a new analysis.

Why it matters: Solar and wind power are producing a comparatively small but growing share of America’s overall energy supply — yet they make up a bigger slice of the energy pie in some states compared to others.

The big picture: Solar installations generated nearly 240,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity across the U.S. in 2023, per the analysis from Climate Central, a climate research nonprofit.

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Source: AXIOS

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The solar project will provide $139,679 in first-year utility bill savings, and over $12M over the life of the 20-year agreement.

New Santa Maria solar power project to help offset rising energy costs

The City of Santa Maria will soon install a new solar power project to help offset rising energy costs through the use of alternative sources and efficiencies.

On Tuesday night, Santa Maria Public Works Director Brett Fulgoni will discuss details of the plan during a meeting of the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Commission with an overview and presentation of the project.

The Santa Maria City Council previously approved the project in November 2023.

The plan includes the construction of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems at a number of city-owned locations, including City Well Number 12, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Civic Center, Police Department, Transit Yard, Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, James Hagerman Sports Center, and Minami Park.

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Source: KEYT

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Solar accounted for most of the capacity the nation added to its electric grids last year. That feat marks the first time since World War II.

Solar hits a renewable energy milestone not seen since WWII

Solar accounted for most of the capacity the nation added to its electric grids last year. That feat marks the first time since World War II, when hydropower was booming, that a renewable power source has comprised more than half of the nation’s energy additions.

“It’s really monumental,” said Shawn Rumery, senior director of research at the Solar Energy Industries Association, or SEIA. The trade group announced the 2023 numbers in a report released today with analytics firm Wood MacKenzie. The 32.4 gigawatts that came online in the United States last year shattered the previous high of 23.6 gigawatts recorded in 2021 and accounted for 53 percent of new capacity. Natural gas was next in line at a distant 18 percent.

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Source: Grist

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If you want to take advantage of solar energy but you can’t (or don’t want to) put solar panels on your roof, you do have other options.

Everywhere else you can install solar panels

If you want to take advantage of solar energy but you can’t (or don’t want to) put solar panels on your roof, you do have other options. As solar panels become more advanced and the technology develops, gathering energy from the sun is growing ever easier and more unobtrusive than ever. Here are some great options for installing solar panels in places other than your roof.

Solar siding

If you have a south-facing wall on your home with about eight feet by eight feet of space, you can install solar panel siding. These solar cells will work best in unshaded areas, of course, but they can still collect energy even in they are in southeast or southwest facing areas. The advantage of this installation method is that you can choose the color of your panels to match your home’s exterior and blend in with the architecture. The disadvantage is that the solar panels won’t be at an optimal angle to absorb sunlight, as they will be perfectly vertical.

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Source: Life Hacker

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