In our ongoing series of articles about grid modernization and distributed energy resources, we’ve explored the pressing need for improved energy infrastructure in the United States that supports consumer choices when it comes to alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. The current grid, mostly unchanged over the course of the last century, has revealed itself to be an unstable, inefficient, and costly solution for meeting consumer’s power needs. The development of alternative energy technologies (and their falling prices) has given consumers more choices, but utility companies have been reluctant to compromise their profits by creating a more open, accessible grid. It’s time for them to catch up. A recent series of policy briefs written by the Solar Energy Industries Association examines how state-level initiatives in California and New York are paving the way for a new model of grid modernization across the country. The final installment, published recently, takes an in-depth look at Non-Wires Solutions and the opportunities they provide for distributed generation implementation. Non-Wires Solutions (NWS), also known as Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA), are an important piece of the grid modernization effort that isn’t yet well understood by most consumers. Non-Wire Alternatives Raise the BarAs we’ve previously explored, utility companies would prefer to invest consumer’s money in propping up the existing energy infrastructure rather than making improvements that might ultimately reduce their profit margins, such as allowing more distributed energy resources (DER) access to the grid. But SEIA writes that NWA or NWS “allow utilities to defer or avoid conventional infrastructure investments by procuring distributed energy resources... that are lower cost and have lower emissions while maintaining or improving system reliability and resilience.” This compromise is more palatable to utility companies while also moving grid modernization efforts forward. Non-Wires Alternatives aren’t new. In fact, the SEIA report reveals that “since 1991, over 130 NWS projects” in states like California, New York, and Oregon, “have been identified, planned, or implemented... surpassing 2 GW of total capacity.” Notable examples include the Brooklyn/Queens Demand Management (BQDM) Project, which replaced the need for an incredibly costly substation upgrade, and Southern California Edison's (SCE) Preferred Resources Pilot (PRP), which uses distributed energy resources to provide for increasing energy demands. “In both cases,” SEIA notes, “the utilities solicited DER to fill capacity needs and maintain or improve grid reliability through a portfolio of distributed energy resources, including solar, storage, and demand response.” The success of these projects has prompted a growing trend and encouraged utility companies in states across the country to consider Non-Wires Solutions in their infrastructure planning. Is this a sign of upcoming technology adoption that can provide benefits to utilities, consumers, and the environment alike? The Benefits of Non-Wires AlternativesSolar Power World, reporting on the new policy brief, quotes Smart Electric Power Alliance executive vice president Tanuj Deora as saying “As the cost of new technologies continues to decline, and the power industry becomes increasingly sophisticated, opportunities are growing for non-wires solutions to deliver economic, environmental and individual consumer benefits.” Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of NWS is the opportunity for so many parties to benefit from their implementation. The SEIA outlines many of these benefits. First, consumer ratepayers benefit from a reprieve in the escalation of utility costs, which have been steadily rising as utilities seek the revenue to pay for expensive (but backward-looking) grid maintenance and upgrades. SEIA notes that through NWAs, “DER providers will be able to offer solutions to meet utility needs that may otherwise be met through additional distribution grid infrastructure investments at a fraction of the cost.” They also benefit from increased choices and the ability to adopt technologies that increase energy efficiency. In addition, both utility companies and consumers benefit from the increased grid resiliency offered by NWAs through reduced outages and expensive repairs. “Enhanced grid planning and the availability of NWS will allow utilities to better forecast and cost-effectively prevent outages or power quality issues that may occur,” the SEIA writes. Finally, the environment (and all of us who live in it) benefits from greater adoption of alternative energy technologies that reduce the amount of fossil fuels being consumed by traditional power plants. And when these plants pollute the atmosphere less, it benefits the marginalized communities in which most plants are located. “NWS will play an important role in cleaning up our grid,” SEIA predicts, “and helping drive the oldest, dirtiest, and often most expensive plants off the system.” When opportunities for the proliferation of alternative energy and distributed energy resources are created, we all benefit. At Solar Design Studio, we advocate for consumer choice and a cleaner energy future by providing our residential and industrial clients with a full range of solar options and ensuring the greatest return on their investment (in both financial and environmental terms). To learn more about how we can help you meet your energy needs and move towards a reliable, sustainable energy future, contact us today! from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=728514&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fnon-wires-alternatives-can-utilities-consumers-and-the-environment-all-benefit
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The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) recently concluded a year-long series of white papers examining state-level efforts to modernize the American utility grid. As we’ve previously explored, the creation of a stable, sustainable electric grid is a vital step towards a future in which consumers have greater choice over the source of their power. The current infrastructure is in need of innovation, as the system in place has more in common with the original electric grids established in the late 1800’s by electricity pioneers Thomas Edison and William Stanley, Jr. While the United States has yet to establish a consistent, nation-wide policy on grid modernization, state-level initiatives are underway that may provide a foundational example for growth and investment on a larger scale. The SEIA looks at these efforts and more in their set of policy briefs, offering a glimpse at a potential paradigm shift that would elevate consumer choice, energy stability, and alternative energy generation and distribution options. State-Level Initiatives Lead the WayLast spring, the SEIA kicked off its white paper series with a look at How California and New York are Building Grids that Encourage the Growth of Distributed Energy Resources. These two states are leading the country in grid modernization efforts, yet are still in the early stages of the kind of comprehensive, long-term planning and implementation that will truly result in a modern infrastructure. The paper notes that “public utility commission discussions about modernizing the electric grid are unfolding in different ways,” but arrives at the conclusion that there are five main concepts that underscore grid modernization efforts, which include: Updated Utility System PlanningThe foundation of future innovation can be built by planning a system that will meet consumer’s evolving needs and desires. “This planning,” the SEIA argues, “should view all DER (distributed energy resources) as an asset to the grid instead of a problem to be avoided.” This requires a major shift in the way utility companies think - instead of updating old equipment (and passing the costs along to ratepayers) to preserve the original system, they must create a more open grid that prioritizes connectivity and adaptability to DER’s like solar and wind power. The SEIA calls for more transparency from utility companies in order to collaboratively develop this new framework with alternative energy experts. Identifying Alternatives to Traditional Utility InvestmentsRecent natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires have revealed the instability of the current electric grid, and distributed energy resources have emerged as valuable ways to avoid these gaps in coverage. With this in mind, “utilities, regulators and solar firms can identify strategic locations on the grid itself where traditional capital investments can be offset by DER alternatives.” These may include Non-Wires Alternatives (NWAs), which are distributed energy resources that can reduce demand on substations and eliminate the need for costly investments in outdated technology. Modifying Value/Compensation FrameworksGrid modernization efforts will only gain steam if it becomes economically viable for distributed energy resources to be developed and built in strategic areas that will benefit from greater power availability and stability. In order to achieve this, the SEIA calls for “making valuation more locationally dependent, (and) developing solicitations, rates, and tariffs to meet needs in areas of the distribution system” that will most benefit from DER implementation. They also note that net metering policies could be part of this solution in areas with a large amount of solar deployment. Updating the Functionality of the Grid ItselfFinally, the existing grid must be updated in order to allow for seamless integration of distributed energy resources. This would include monitoring technologies that could better diagnose weaknesses in the system, as well as distributed energy resource management (DERM) technologies that include “smart inverters,” which “provide much more data than utility equipment and have the capability to help manage power quality on the distribution system.” A Clear Path Towards a Stable, Sustainable Energy FutureThe initiatives underway in California and New York may be in the early stages, but they provide the example needed to define the process of grid modernization and help build consensus on what steps are needed to secure our energy future. The SEIA notes that in these states, “public utility commissions have required the execution of significant pilot programs and have begun requiring utilities to provide new analysis and redesign rates to accomplish their objectives.” Clearly, public and regulatory pressure is needed to encourage utility companies to abandon wasteful spending on the status quo and begin investing in a more open grid system. One way that consumers can encourage meaningful action from utility companies is to vote with their dollars. Investments in residential or commercial solar systems demonstrate that sustainable, clean energy technologies are vital to meeting our energy needs and deserve a central place in discussions about infrastructure development. At Solar Design Studio, we provide expert consultation, design, and installation services that ensure consumers can achieve their energy goals while benefiting from the greatest possible return on their investment. If you’re interested in joining the future of clean, secure energy, contact us today! from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=727790&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fgrid-modernization-distributed-energy-resources-and-the-electric-grid Did you know that the United States has the highest rate of power outages of any developed country in the world? It’s true. Why? Because we continue spending ever greater amounts of money to prop up an energy infrastructure that hasn’t changed much for the past hundred years. The results are limited choices for energy consumers, unreliable service, and a continued negative impact on the environment. Luckily, new options are emerging. Technological innovation has opened pathways to a better energy future, one that is becoming more available to consumers with each passing day. What will it take to create a tipping point towards sustainable, reliable, cost-efficient energy infrastructure? The recent report Affordable, Clean, Reliable Energy, released by residential solar energy provider Sunrun, offers a compelling strategy. A Consumer-Centric ApproachSince energy consumers (and that’s all of us) are the ones who suffer from the inefficiencies and costs of the current model of energy production and delivery, it makes sense that they can drive the solution. Sunrun CEO Lynn Jurich offers a four-point plan to “Enable Innovation & Affordability” with consumers at its center. First, Jurich notes that “Open markets drive competition. Competition drives innovation and affordability,” and suggests that we “let the market work.” Currently, the monopoly on consumer choice by utility companies discourages competition and therefore innovative and affordable solutions. If, instead of spending massive amounts of money to shore up existing infrastructure, utilities were encouraged to act as “a platform for competitive solutions that empower customers,” clean energy products would become more widely available and implemented by consumers. Second, Sunrun endorses Net-Metering policies that “maintain fair compensation with simple, stable rates” for consumers. That way, consumers who choose to adopt clean energy technologies such as solar panels and battery storage systems (which are currently more efficient and less costly than ever before) can benefit from their investment and continue to drive the market for innovative technology. These consumers, as Jurich writes, are “part of the solution.” Additionally, she suggests that more opportunities must be created for lower-income consumers and communities. “Communities that embrace home solar don’t just benefit from lower bills, they also gain more local job opportunities and better health,” Jurich writes, and this “is especially significant for low-income families and communities of color.” With the right incentives and policies in place, we could empower lower-income communities to take part in the future of clean energy. Finally, Jurich calls for incentive programs for battery storage. As we’ve written previously, distributed generation and solar-plus-storage systems are increasingly the clear answer to our outdated, inefficient energy infrastructure issues. While four states currently incentivize the adoption of battery storage, more need to join in to tip the scales in favor of consumers across the country. “Excess power stored in the battery can be shared when it is needed,” Jurich writes, “ and contribute to a more reliable, affordable energy system for everyone.” Empowering Consumer ChoiceAt Solar Design Studio, our passion for solar design and installation is aligned with a desire to make solar solutions accessible to as many consumers as possible. We achieve this through a commitment to creating solutions that offer the shortest payback periods and the highest possible return on investment. Our deep experience and expertise in solar and storage design, engineering, and project management for distributed energy generation systems allows us to provide the highest level of service while ensuring that consumers are rewarded for their investment in solar energy with stability and cost savings. Solar panels, battery storage systems, and other clean energy technologies can only compete with the utility monopoly if they’re available to as many consumers as possible. Through our commitment to providing solar solutions to commercial and residential consumers, we hope to accelerate the tipping point towards an efficient, effective, and clean energy future. As Jurich notes, “the question is not whether local, consumer-powered energy is the future. The question is whether this future will happen fast enough to avoid the most harmful effects of polluting fossil fuels on our planet, our health, and our future generations.” Consumers who are early-adopters of solar or other clean energy technologies are part of the solution, helping to create a future in which our energy infrastructure serves us and not the utility companies. Are you ready to be a part of the solution? Contact us today to learn more and get started. from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=726285&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fbuilding-a-pathway-to-efficient-effective-clean-energy 2018 is shaping up to be the year of the battery! Industry reports suggest that the energy storage market in the U.S. is poised to triple in size this year due to a variety of factors, including state-level policies and noteworthy shifts from federal agencies like the IRS. While many forward-looking customers have been including battery storage in their solar or wind energy systems, grid-connected PV panels have been the industry standard for years. That may be changing as broader markets embrace the model offered by distributed generation systems, in which homes or businesses may still be connected to the power grid but are no longer dependant on it. The surging battery market is a sign that important shifts are happening in the way consumers plan for and achieve energy security. Energy Storage Market NewsThe U.S. Energy Storage Monitor, a quarterly report provided by Wood Mackenzie, recently released its 2017 Year-In-Review edition, offering a look at the current state of the industry and compelling data on what lies ahead for energy storage. As Reuters notes, the findings suggest that “U.S. deployments of energy storage systems will nearly triple this year thanks to sharply lower costs and state policies that support the case for installing batteries in homes, businesses and along the power grid.” This is encouraging news for the solar-plus-storage market and reflects a noteworthy change in the way consumers understand their solar system options. Wood Mackenzie forecasts an increase of energy storage capacity from 431 megawatt hours to 1,233 MWh - a staggering 186 percent rate of growth. When compared to 2017’s 27 percent increase, this is major news. But what are the factors that make this growth possible? First, there is the plummeting cost of energy storage batteries. Pioneering technology companies such as Tesla and LG Corp have been refining their efforts over the last decade to achieve more efficient batteries at ever lower prices. In fact, Reuters notes that “storage system costs have fallen by roughly two thirds in the last five years.” The market for energy storage batteries continues to snowball as they become available to greater numbers of consumers. State Policies Drive GrowthAnother major factor driving energy storage growth in 2018 is state-level policies that set (and in some cases mandate) energy storage targets. In December, New York state became the fourth state to pass an energy storage mandate, joining California, Oregon, and Massachusetts. As electrek reports, this is a major turning point in the implementation of energy storage nationwide, as these four states “represent 69 million people and 21% of the country. These people live in states that have legally defined energy storage to be integrated into the power grid.” A statement from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority notes that “New York has committed to accelerating the clean energy transition with promising technologies like energy storage,” and “will look to market participants to consider mechanisms that will maximize the benefits of energy storage for New Yorkers.” As more states add energy storage to their clean energy implementation plans, the market will continue to see promising growth. This influx of resources will ultimately benefit consumers in business and residential markets as well. IRS Policy Encourages HomeownersIn addition to state-level actions, the battery storage sector has had encouraging news from federal agencies as well. A recent private-letter ruling from the IRS indicates that “federal solar tax credits extend to battery systems added as retrofits,” which Greentech Media says is “a policy that could ‘open the floodgates’ for residential solar installers eager to add energy storage to their mass-market offerings.” While states such as California and Hawaii offer specific incentive programs for energy storage, most states have not caught on yet. This makes the private letter from the IRS an exciting indication of future policy changes that would encourage more homeowners to include battery storage as part of their alternative energy systems. What This Means for Distributed Generation SystemsNews that the battery storage market is poised for growth is a signal that public understanding of distributed generation systems is increasing. As consumers become educated about the possibilities offered by distributed generation, they are embracing solutions that increase their energy security and resiliency and limit their dependence on utility companies. “Pairing big batteries with renewable energy projects improves reliability without creating climate-changing emissions,” Reuters reveals, “and more homeowners and businesses are looking to batteries for backup power and to capture the excess energy from rooftop systems to use when the sun is not shining.” At Solar Design Studio, we’re excited to be a part of the growth of energy storage systems in 2018. If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities distributed generation can offer for your home or business, contact us today!
from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=723989&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fbig-news-for-batteries-the-u-s-energy-storage-outlook-for-2018 In our most recent blog, we explore the impetus behind current grid modernization efforts. An updated electric grid will not only enable more efficient transmission of energy but also a more seamless interface with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Ultimately, grid modernization benefits our communities and our environment. But what does the future of energy infrastructure actually look like? Our current grid is very closely related to the initial neighborhood grids developed in New York City in the late 1800’s, although on a much greater scale, so bringing it into the 21st Century is a major undertaking. Let’s take a closer look at the technologies that will make this possible and what they mean for utility companies, consumers, and the environment. Shifting Priorities for Utility CompaniesUtility companies in the United States have a long-standing monopoly on power production which they aren’t eager to relinquish. Many of the struggles that renewable energy advocates have engaged in with utility companies, such as the fight over net metering policies, are rooted in this dynamic. Several of the initial grid modernization projects that have been supported by investor-owned utilities are infrastructure upgrades such as substation improvements and transformer replacements, GreenTechMedia reports. While there is no doubt that these are vital projects, consumer and renewable energy advocates point out that utilities “see infrastructure funding as an opportunity to add to their capital base, which provides them a steady rate of return from customers, as opposed to leaner, more technology-enabled solutions…” Grid modernization efforts need to go beyond shoring up the existing infrastructure in order to pay off for consumers and the environment. Another initial grid modernization effort is the push to install smart meters, which enable the two-way sharing of real-time energy usage between consumers and their utility companies. By replacing old model meters, which estimate energy costs based on peak usage, smart meters allow for more accurate billing. They also provide consumers greater transparency about their energy usage, giving them the ability to monitor and adjust their habits based on access to more detailed information. Smart meters are the first step in re-balancing the power dynamic between consumers and utility companies, and several states have mandated their installation. Continued oversight and consumer participation are needed to ensure that grid modernization efforts prioritize consumer savings, efficiency, and integration of renewable and distributed energy technologies. Creating a More Open GridAs GreenTechMedia notes, “When we’re talking about grid modernization investments, it’s such a new use of information technology, they’re capable of doing a lot of different things.” One of these is Distributed Resource Integration, which opens the grid to renewable energy from solar panels, wind turbines, or distributed generation microgrid systems. The development of Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), which provide better integration between solar (or wind) power generators and the grids they are connected to, supports the possibility of a more open grid. Consumers who choose to adopt renewable energy technologies can provide power for their own home, business, or community while also contributing power to (or drawing it from) the larger grid. As UtilityDive notes, “The grid's vulnerability to increasingly extreme weather and its consequences is apparent to everybody, and it must be strengthened… states can see the value of having grid modernization in place before it is needed.” Embracing microgrids and distributed generation is one of the foremost ways to create greater energy stability and resilience, and grid modernization efforts must include these resources to live up to their name. In addition to these technologies, grid modernization includes creating infrastructure that can support increased usage of electric vehicles, implementing technologies that will optimize renewable energy sources, and increased access to data through improved sensors and monitoring equipment. Together, these improvements empower consumers to make better-informed choices about their energy usage and its impacts. An Environmental ImperativeWhile grid modernization prioritizes efficiency, stability, and consumer knowledge, it also provides a very necessary leap towards minimizing climate change. In fact, the Environmental Defense Fund calls grid modernization “the foundation for climate change progress.” They note that “a modernized grid that keeps energy costs affordable and promotes economic growth is vital to our present-day society. Through its pursuit, we are making a commitment to the productivity and quality of life of future generations by helping ensure our energy remains reliably available and increasingly clean and sustainable.” At Solar Design Studio, we’re excited to be part of an energy future that includes more renewable energy sources, increased stability and control for consumers, and technologies that help us keep our communities and our environment healthy. If you’d like to learn more about the options available to residential and business solar adopters, contact us today! from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=722816&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fgrid-modernization-new-technologies-create-a-more-resilient-open-efficient-grid Grid Modernization: How Creating a Stable Sustainable Grid Helps Communities and the Environment3/24/2018 At Solar Design Studio, we get excited by technological innovation and the possibilities it illuminates for our future. Recently, we’ve been focusing our attention on microgrids and distributed generation as driving forces behind the off-grid movement, which allows remote locations and those without existing infrastructure to create, store, and manage their own power. Microgrids offer the possibility of a future in which community-based, sustainable, and environmentally friendly solutions replace utility companies’ monopoly on power. This doesn’t mean we will totally abandon the electric grid that is currently in place, but it does mean major changes in how it is used and regulated. Grid modernization efforts are already underway, pioneering a new kind of energy grid that more seamlessly interfaces with solar and other renewable energy sources and presents other innovative possibilities. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening in grid modernization and what it means for our communities and our environment. The History and Future of the Electric GridThe electric grid currently in operation today is surprisingly similar to the original grids established in the late 1800’s by Thomas Edison and William Stanley, Jr. From their beginnings as small, highly localized operations, they gradually expanded to become the vast infrastructure that we recognize today. This expansion was at first fueled in major cities by “elaborate and powerful monopolies,” as the energy journal Burn reports, but “public outrage at the subsequent costs came to a head during the Great Depression and sparked Federal regulations, as well as projects to provide electricity to rural areas.” The 1990’s saw a push to open access to the expanded grid, leading to Independent System Operators working in competition with vertically-integrated utility companies. As a result, a grid that works much the same as it did a hundred years ago has nonetheless become an extraordinarily complex patchwork of regulations and authority. Grid modernization efforts seek to bring this system fully into the 21st century. As the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) explains, this means “improving the physical framework – for example, updating old pole-and-wire systems to better incorporate rooftop solar panels so that there can be a two-way flow of energy from our homes to the grid and back” and also “installing smart meters to show us our minute-by-minute energy use” and empower consumers to make more informed choices. In addition to physical and technological upgrades, grid modernization also means changing the policies under which utility companies currently do business. As the CLF notes, “in exchange for being awarded a monopoly over a specific area, each utility commits to follow the rules created by the state utilities agency.” Lobbying state agencies to adopt policies that are inclusive of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power can increase consumer’s choices and positively impact the environment. Utility companies want to preserve their monopoly, but grid modernization proponents are working hard to make the current grid a more accessible and inclusive infrastructure. Why Modernize the Grid?Why fix something that isn’t obviously broken? While many consumers may not notice the cracks, the current grid is not “too big to fail.” As recent natural disasters such as wildfires in California and hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico have demonstrated, a large, complex grid is vulnerable to outages and inefficiencies and time-consuming to rebuild. Grid modernization experts hope to fix these flaws through incorporating new technology and greater flexibility. In addition, the current grid is holding us back as we seek ways to reduce our impact on the environment. “The stakes are high if we don’t update the way utilities do things,” the CLF notes. “We can’t easily address climate change without updating this system, which was designed before today’s clean energy technologies existed—and before we knew climate change was a threat.” “How can we better prepare our energy system to stand stronger in the face of (recent) disasters?” the Environmental Defense Fund asks. “Grid modernization is essential to ensuring the energy systems that power our lives and underpin our economy are protected from future disruptive events. But beyond simply keeping the lights on, modernizing our electric grid also… (mitigates) the future impacts of climate change.” By updating an outdated, monopolistic system of power generation and distribution, we can create a more sustainable, egalitarian, and environmentally friendly grid to power our future. We can ensure the stability of our infrastructure (and therefore our economy), strengthen consumer choice, and pave the way for innovative technology that reduces our environmental impact and financial burden. Grid modernization efforts also create many new jobs in the energy sector. As we noted recently in regard to the Clean Power Plan, “studies have found that 16.7 jobs are created per million dollars of spending on clean power.” A major undertaking like grid modernization is likely to create hundreds (if not thousands) of good jobs across the country. Innovators Lead the WayAs with every major cultural shift, technical achievement, or interruption of the status quo, innovative thinkers and creators are leading the way toward a new model of power creation and distribution. At Solar Design Studio, we’re proud to be a part of the solar and alternative energy industry as it makes noteworthy strides toward a stronger, better future. As innovative technology continues to reshape our lives for the better, we’re excited to bring that technology to our customers through our commitment to excellence in design and installation. To learn more about grid modernization efforts and how you can prepare your home or business for the innovative changes to come, contact us today! from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=721323&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fgrid-modernization-how-creating-a-stable-sustainable-grid-helps-communities-and-the-environment In our examination of solar industry trend forecasts for 2018, we highlight the increasing conversation around microgrids and distributed generation as the power generation, storage, and distribution prototype of the future. Microgrids, self-contained solar-plus-storage systems that may be connected to or independent from the existing power grid, are a logical next step in solar energy systems, especially considering the current proliferation of efficient battery storage and resource management technologies. Whether they serve a single home or industrial building or an entire community, microgrids offer increased energy independence, efficiency, and stability for those who use them. These flexible, resilient micro versions of the traditional, utility-scale grids that have dominated cities since the industrial age offer us a vision of a potential future led by renewable energy sources. What might that mean? Let’s take a look at a few examples of existing microgrids and the possibilities that they reveal. Stone Edge Farm MicrogridA recent article on Greentech Media focuses on the Stone Edge Farm microgrid in northern California. Vineyard and winery owners Mac and Leslie McQuown found an ideal location for their business, but the seclusion that attracted them as winemakers posed an expensive challenge. Running the necessary lines to connect to the grid operated by Pacific Gas & Electric was cost prohibitive. They would need to find another way to power their equipment or abandon their chosen location entirely. The result of this dilemma is the Stone Edge Farm microgrid, “a 16-acre property that uses 10 different kinds of inverters, a fuel-cell ‘hive,’ and seven battery systems” alongside solar panels and a wind turbine to provide all the power it needs (here’s a detailed listing of all the microgrid’s components). The project was recently chosen to receive the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award given by the state of California. Not only is the microgrid able to provide sufficient power to the large, complex farm and winery, it was a more economical choice than connecting the remote, unspoiled location to the existing power grid. The McQuown’s decision to implement a sustainable, independent grid to power their business made news when it “ran islanded for 10 days while areas around it experienced power outages and thousands of homes burned to the ground” during the recent wildfires that ravaged the area. Had Stone Edge Farm been dependent on its connection to the grid, it would have been forced to completely shut down during the fires. Instead, evacuated employees were able to remotely control the microgrid, adapting to shifting conditions and implementing safety precautions from afar. Despite the smoke and ash, “the solar array remained at 50 percent of normal production” throughout the duration of the fires. The Stone Edge Farm microgrid provides a powerful example for businesses and communities in remote areas or locations that are at high risk for fires, ice storms, hurricanes, or other natural disasters that result in the loss of power. Rajanga Village MicrogridFar from northern California, a microgrid is bringing power to those who previously lived without it. In India’s Rajanga village, residents now enjoy the ability to work at night, to play outside after dark, and to protect their homes from local wildlife, including elephants. As Yale Environment 360 reports, India is on the front lines of rural microgrid development. “With more than 300 million mostly rural Indians still waiting for power, it is home to one in four of the world’s off-grid people, more than any other nation,” they note. As India seeks to bring light to its rural communities, it has embraced microgrids as the most economical, practical answer. Small communities across the country are being revitalized by the implementation of distributed generation systems that provide power to illuminate homes and public spaces. In addition, the arrival of electricity enables the modernization of agriculture, healthcare, and business practices. Debajit Palit of The Energy and Resources Initiative “believes the only real prospect of getting electricity (to rural communities) any time soon will be through constructing stand-alone solar-powered microgrids.” There are still more than one billion people in the world who are living without electricity, and microgrids have emerged as the most effective and efficient way to bring it to them. This Is What the Future Looks LikeThese two contrasting examples reveal the vast potential of microgrid systems in a wide variety of applications. As the Stone Edge Farm microgrid proves, the greater adaptability, independence, and resilience resulting from microgrid adoption have an enormous impact on both the cost and function of power systems for businesses. In India, the Rajanga village microgrid is changing the lives of people who have lived without power for too long. Whether improving on existing power infrastructure or creating new opportunities for those who’ve never had it, microgrids offer flexibility, stability, and independence to those who use them. At Solar Design Studio, we’re working toward a future in which microgrids are accessible to everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about microgrids for residential or commercial applications, contact us today!
from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=718299&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fwhat-does-the-future-look-like-these-microgrids-point-the-way Every design is shaped by constraints, from clothing to vehicles to solar arrays. While some designers get frustrated and push back against constraining factors, others embrace them to create effective, innovative designs. In the solar design industry, there are often many constraints - size, location, cost, and more - and many factors that designers must balance to achieve the best possible result. A friend of mine, Paul Grana of Folsom Labs (creators of the design software HelioScope), recently wrote an article for SolarPro in which he examines common solar constraints and how smart designers effectively incorporate them into their design, planning, and execution. His exploration of the complexity of various design factors highlights the pitfalls of the “one-size-fits-all” canned design approach. Let’s take a deeper look: Common Constraints in Solar Design“Constraints might seem like an annoyance to avoid or minimize, but they are intrinsic to real-world activities,” Grana writes. “If that seems counterintuitive, keep in mind that a system without constraints would be infinitely large!” The most effective approach, he argues, is to acknowledge common constraints (and their hierarchy) and allow them to guide the design process. The most common constraints for solar array design are area, energy demand, and budget. Maximizing the available area for a solar installation is often a designer’s primary concern. In order to make economic sense, the solar array must produce the greatest possible energy yield within the available area. Area may be determined by available space, ideal placement (such as south-facing rooftops), or financial constraints on how much surface area can be covered within the client’s budget. When making this calculation, Grana notes that designers “want to maximize power density... rather than specific yield.” Another major constraint is meeting (but not greatly exceeding) the energy demand of the building. This constraint is most common in residential applications, where demand is limited. A smart designer will carefully review a client’s energy usage to determine demand and tailor their design to closely match it. “This type of optimization exercise is all about system capacity,” Grana writes. “When there is only so much demand for energy, the size of the array is critical.” And, of course, there’s the budget. As Grana notes, “with a constrained cost, the financial return (revenue minus costs) for a system tracks closely with the total revenue.” Maximizing the specific yield is the foremost concern when designing an effective system within a constrained budget, as revenue is a result of the energy generated by the system. Embracing a Holistic ApproachWith so many (sometimes conflicting) factors to consider, smart solar designers must approach each project as an individual process, foregoing “canned” designs for those that are specifically tailored to meet a client’s unique needs. The holistic approach requires designers to consider all constraints and identify their hierarchy, in particular what Grana calls the “bottleneck” constraint - the primary constraint that will determine the system design. For example, “the budget might constrain the system to be smaller than the rooftop would allow. In that case, the financial budget is the actual bottleneck, even though there is technically also a space constraint.” When a designer focuses on optimizing the primary constraint, they can create a holistic system designed to maximize efficiency and return on investment. This is why different constraints can lead to very different design results. “Form Follows Function”Most solar design projects today are about optimizing results around existing design constraints - superimposing a new function (solar energy) over an existing form (a rooftop, building, or land area designed without solar considerations in mind). This is in opposition to the common design maxim that form should follow function. As solar achieves greater dominance in energy production, new construction is beginning to reverse this equation by creating buildings that are themselves optimized for solar installations. In an article for AutoDesk, architect Taz Loomans explores ways to improve building design by integrating solar installations into the initial approach. It’s an exciting glimpse into a future in which solar is a holistic part of building design rather than an afterthought. The vast majority of today’s designers, however, still need to embrace constraints as a primary concern in their designs and optimize function based on existing forms. Our Design ExpertiseThe complexity of constraints in solar design reveals that there is no truly effective “one-size-fits-all” method of solar design. That’s why our approach at Solar Design Studio includes rigorous research and close consultation with our clients. Our depth of experience in both residential and commercial design, engineering, and installation gives us strong precedent to draw from as we optimize each design around the unique needs and constraints of the project and client. If you have a complex solar problem in need of an optimized solution, we would love to hear from you! Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started.
from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=716524&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fsolar-design-optimizing-design-within-common-constraints The following article was published in the Op-Ed section of the Kansas City Business Journal on February 22, 2108. The Clean Power Plan is one of the more important and far-reaching economic growth measures enacted by our federal government in the past several decades. It is also our country’s first-ever commitment to reduce the output of carbon emissions. Technically, the Clean Power Plan set the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants in the United States, the largest source of pollution in the country and a major driver of climate change. In times past, economic growth and environmental protection measures like the Clean Power Plan were presented to us as an “either-or” proposition: you can have one, but not the other. But we now know that economic growth and environmental protection work together to all our benefit. In short, what’s good for our environment is good for our economy. This is borne out by data showing that the number of jobs in clean energy is not only increasing, but is increasing at faster rates than nearly every other job sector in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, right now the two fastest-growing job titles in America are ‘solar installer’ and ‘wind turbine service technician.’ These jobs are our present and our future. I know this because, as the founder of a solar design and engineering company in Platte County, I see it every day. In Missouri, clean energy jobs are growing at a rate three times faster than the overall rate of job growth in the state. In Kansas, the rate is nine times faster. According to the report “Clean Jobs Missouri” by non-partisan business group Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), over 55,000 people in Missouri and 29,000 people in Kansas work in the clean energy industry, which includes renewable energy generation (i.e. solar and wind), energy efficiency, advanced transportation, and other sectors. In the Kansas City Metro Area (Kansas and Missouri), there are nearly 16,000 people employed in clean energy. These are good paying jobs that are local and can’t be outsourced. And they promote additional investment throughout the supply chain, creating additional jobs along the way. The clean energy job growth we are seeing here is being replicated across the Midwest and the rest of the country. Sadly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of holding listening sessions across the country -- including one in Kansas City on February 21 -- to get public input on its plan to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, which is helping to drive the consumer demand for and investment in clean energy that is fueling this job growth. It is my hope that people from across our region will contact the EPA to tell them that getting rid of the Clean Power Plan is a bad deal for our regional and national economy. How bad? An analysis by E2 shows that if the EPA scrapped the Clean Power Plan, Missouri alone would lose out on 13,400 new jobs and $1.1 billion in added gross domestic product by 2030. Nationally, we would forgo up to 560,000 new jobs and $52 billion in gross domestic product. It’s that bad. The EPA’s proposal to dismantle the Clean Power Plan would be a huge hit to our regional and national economies, throwing a wrench into the gears of economic progress at the precise moment the clean energy economy is taking off. Getting rid of the Clean Power Plan will also negatively impact public health and the cleanliness of the air we breathe and water we drink. I urge you to contact the EPA and your federal elected officials to tell them to support job and economic growth by protecting the Clean Power Plan. Make sure they know that protecting the environment is good for our economy. Bob Solger Managing Partner, Solar Design Studio from http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=716265&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252fkeep-job-and-economic-growth-going-keep-the-clean-power-plan Solar Design Studio Managing Partner Bob Solger recently provided expert testimony at the EPA hearing to repeal the Clean Power Plan. These were his remarks: Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of the Clean Power Plan. As I have worked in the solar industry for the past 16 years, I have seen how renewable energy reduces pollution and creates jobs. But I am also seeing how the Clean Power Plan is a driver for grid modernization and infrastructure investment. My firm focuses on the application of Distributed Energy Resources or Distributed Generation Technologies such as solar power and battery storage of that power. These technologies provide for power generation at the point of consumption and are the foundation of grid modernization. Grid Modernization is a general term for a strategy to transition from traditional one-way power flow to an interconnected web that can offer valuable added services. Grid Modernization makes the grid safer, more resilient, more reliable, less costly to operate, and brings new functionality to the grid itself. The severe weather disasters in the Southeast and Puerto Rico confirm there is an overriding need for grid modernization, more specifically Distributed Energy Resources. These resources are available before, during, and after a disaster. They mitigate safety issues, speed recovery, and reduce recovery costs, which are estimated at $40 billion to $75 billion per outage. More than 30 states embrace grid modernization. In the Missouri Legislature, Senate Bill 564 - Grid Modernization is under debate. Kansas, which is 5th in the nation in solar resources, would enjoy a significant increase in jobs by leveraging a nationwide grid modernization strategy. Since the grid is a vital part of our country's infrastructure, its modernization should be a key component of the Administration’s infrastructure investment strategy. Many studies have found that 16.7 jobs are created per million dollars of spending on clean power. In the solar industry, employment nationwide grew 86% over the past 5 years to over 260,077 workers in 2016. When considering indirect and induced employment, the solar industry supported almost 789,000 jobs or $50 billion in salaries. The median wage for solar installers is $26 per hour. Implementing the Clean Power Plan would contribute to this clean energy economy by creating a demand for Distributed Energy Resources and should be a key component of any infrastructure investment. For a number of large businesses, embracing the Clean Power Plan is a business strategy that enhances their brand and affords savings which go straight to the bottom line. Approximately 43 percent of Fortune 500 companies have already set targets to reduce carbon pollution, improve energy efficiency, and procure more renewable energy. On the flip side, an analysis by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) shows that if the EPA scrapped the Clean Power Plan, Missouri alone would lose out on 13,400 new jobs and $1.1 billion in added gross domestic product by 2030. Nationally, we would forgo up to 560,000 new jobs and $52 billion in gross domestic product. Scrapping the Clean Power Plan is not a good business decision. Therefore, I recommend the EPA deploy the Clean Power Plan as a business strategy that supports innovation, drives economic development, and creates jobs while protecting the environment.
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