Carla Pinzon

A recent report by The Brattle Group for GridLab highlights that VPPs could cover about 15% of California's peak power demand, leveraging resources like #EVs, smart thermostats, and behind-the-meter batteries. This new and innovative approach not only enhances grid reliability but also supports the state's climate goals. Explore how VPPs can transform energy management and deliver big consumer benefits. https://hubs.ly/Q02zb3XG0

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⚡ Interested in unlocking the true potential of #distributedenergy? There are a few spots left in our workshop at Microgrid Knowledge 2024! ⏳ When: April 22nd at 1 pm (Exactly 1 week away!) 📍 Where: Harbor Ballroom B 🤝 We are excited and grateful to partner with Kate Cummings from G&W Electric Co., David Braun from Intelligent Generation, Venkataramana Ramireddy from Rolls-Royce Solutions America, and Samuel Harrell from Intel Corporation. This 2-hour Workshop will cover the following use cases and MORE! 1. Setting and operating systems capable of complex operations 2. Utilizing Grid Services to maximize the revenue potential of the assets within your system 3. Moving towards a commitment to Net Zero Carbon by efficiently configuring systems that maximize renewables 4. Establishing a digital foundation that enables an expanding microgrid portfolio 5. Connecting to the digital world to deliver solutions at scale Don't miss this powerful discussion and demonstrations on building, deploying, optimizing, and managing microgrids for real-world applications. Link to register below 👇 #workshop #MicrogridKnowledge #MicrogridKnowledgeConference #SustainableEnergy 

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📢 The TEES Smart Grid Center's Dr. Jonathan Snodgrass will be hosting a webinar on May 22, 2024 at 3:00 pm titled "Full-Fidelity EV Integration Study Using Large-Scale Combined T&D Simulations"   Abstract:  One of the key pillars of the energy transition is the electrification of transportation. While much work has been done in this area, it is mostly single-disciplinary, ignoring the detailed modeling and simulation of other systems and sub-systems. In this webinar, I will present the cutting-edge work at Texas A&M University on full-fidelity interdisciplinary EV integration simulations and research, modeling both the detailed transportation dynamics, unbalanced distribution power flow on an ultra-large-scale network, and AC power flow on an ERCOT-sized grid. In partnership with ElectroTempo, we have calculated EV charging demand using full travel demand and traffic simulations for 96, 24-hour scenarios for the combined Dallas/Fort Worth/Houston area including the I-45 corridor. We then correlated this load to our synthetic distribution networks and conducted a full unbalanced distribution system power flow on 1,800 distribution feeders over the footprint connected to a synthetic 7,000 bus transmission system on the full Texas footprint. I will be presenting an overview of ElectroTempo’s EV load, the co-simulation framework, the results of the project, and ongoing work and future collaboration opportunities on EV studies.   About the Speaker: Jonathan Snodgrass, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Engineer at the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), at Texas A&M University, working under Professor Tom Overbye in the area of large-scale electric power systems. He received his BS and MS degrees at Texas A&M University, and MS and PhD degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, all in electrical engineering. His primary research area is in power system network planning and resilience, with current projects focusing on light, medium and heavy-duty EV integration using combined transmission and distribution co-simulation. His other research areas include modeling impact of high-impact, low-frequency events (such as GMD and EMP) on the electric grids, power system optimization, and microgrids. He also worked for two years at Zachry Engineering Corporation in Amarillo, TX designing simple and combined cycle natural gas generating plants.   To register visit https://lnkd.in/gCEUJkip After registering, the confirmation email contains information about joining the webinar. To see more upcoming events hosted by the SGC, visit https://lnkd.in/gmumEiGQ #ElectricalEngineering #Webinar #ElectricalEngineer #TAMU #TEES #Aggies #GigEm #JoinUs

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Join us on May 22nd to hear the results of our research with the Texas A&M Smart Grid Center: "Full-Fidelity EV Integration Study Using Large-Scale Combined T&D Simulations"

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As California faces its first summer heatwave (and it’s not even officially summer 😥) the state’s fast-rising power prices and grid reliability concerns are once again top of mind. But innovation is *always* top of mind in California, and two energy innovations - microgrids and VPPs - offer a path to giving businesses (and the state's economy) the power to grow, while also supporting the utility grid we all depend on. Here’s why: https://lnkd.in/ezfPBEyG

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One question we frequently get from customers is: "Can the grid support the rising number of EVs in California?" The short answer is, yes! In fact, EVs will actually benefit the grid—and energy consumers—in several ways. Here's how: 1. Excess Capacity: The electricity #grid is built to meet the highest demand times, which means it has excess capacity most of the time. EVs can be charged during these off-peak hours, reducing strain on the grid. 2. Grid Support: Vehicle-to-Grid #V2G technology can return electricity to the grid during peak times, helping to stabilize it and prevent blackouts. 3. Cost Benefits: Multiple studies have been conducted analyzing #electricityrates that EV owners pay compared to the marginal cost of providing that electricity (generation, transmission, and distribution costs), plus the expenditures associated with utility EV programs. The researchers concluded that EVs have increased utility revenues more than they have increased utility costs, leading to downward pressure on electric rates for EV-owners and non-EV owners alike. 4. Future #GridUpgrades: California is already planning grid upgrades to handle more EVs and clean energy through Assembly Bill 2700 and Senate Bill 410, ensuring the grid remains reliable as electrification increases. Overall, EVs are not only good for the environment by reducing emissions, but they also benefit everyone by lowering electricity rates and supporting grid stability. This creates a positive cycle that encourages more people to adopt EVs, which further strengthens the grid and reduces costs for all utility customers. #ThisIsElectrificationIntegration

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Ever wonder if solar will continue to get cheaper? The National Renewable Energy Laboratory just updated its Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart. A new record was just set for for perovskite-based solar cells at 33.9% by a Chinese manufacturer LONGi Solar and the 27.09% efficiency set by a heterojunction back contact solar cell. This work surpasses the 23.64% efficiency achieved in March by First Solar and again raises the global bar for solar cell efficiency. Certainly there is quite a bit of work to do before these cells could be produced at scale, but it continues to show that all the efficiency gains have not been optimized away and there is a huge amount of innovation happening to drop the cost of solar. Can we drop rooftop solar installation costs by 50% in the U.S.? ______________ I'm Grant Gunnison Click my name + follow + 🔔 to learn how to get off gas and electrify P.S. If you'd like early access to our platform, repost this! #emissions #decarbonization #heatpumps #incentives

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Presenting a real case study on TOU realities and Energy Storage. Real numbers, real tariffs, real options. Not pie-in-the-sky generalities. Let's talk about where Energy Management makes cents.....and dollars. Adrienne Pierce Michael Sanford Paul A. DeCotis Soam Goel

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As the push for renewable energy accelerates, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is poised to inject $7 billion into the development of rooftop solar, community solar farms, and energy storage through “Solar for All” grants. These investments are crucial for expanding solar energy access, decarbonizing the grid, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #susteinability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity #metering

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🔋 Microgrid Knowledge's Lisa Cohn recently sat down with Fermata Energy’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Steve Letendre, PhD, to discuss recent legislation in California and more broadly the importance of bidirectional charging for grid reliability and resilience. While the passage of SB 59 in California helps to raise awareness about Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, Steve says that it does not address the key challenges in order for California and other states to maximize bidirectional charging benefits. He shared what really needs to happen, including: 1. A streamlined process that allows EV drivers to connect bidirectional chargers to the grid. 2. Incentives must be provided for V2X that are comparable to those currently available for stationary storage. 3. Compensation for the value that bidirectional EV charging infrastructure provides to both customers and the grid. At Fermata Energy, we’re committed to driving technologies and regulations that make Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) a critical asset for grid resilience and sustainability. 🔗 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3TYNfrp #V2X #BidirectionalCharging #GridFlexibility #EVs #CleanEnergy

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Great work by Synapse Energy Economics, Berkeley Lab and E4TheFuture in codifying Distributional Equity Analysis for distributed energy, and elevating it as and equal companion to Benefit-Cost Analysis. I'm hearing growing equity concerns about DERs - e.g., rising rates for renters/households/business who can't quickly weatherize/electrify/buy solar/storage/EVs; those "left behind" on natural gas. What if a project/program/investment passes BCA but worsens equity? Awesome to see these questions go mainstream - and a rigorous approach! I am looking forward to working on DER equity analysis! DOE page links to a long and short guide, and registration for a June 25th webinar: https://lnkd.in/gsC2WhKy #energyequity #distributedenergy #energyjustice

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If you want VPP - ‘virtual power plants,’ first define them ... Clarity around terminology and end goals can break through years of policy inertia. After a period of relatively slow growth, virtual power plants are having a moment. A recent Brattle Group study finds VPPs could save California consumers over a half-billion dollars per year. PJM mostly finalized its VPP rules in late 2023, shortly after the Department of Energy’s “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff” report offered a U.S. roadmap for VPP deployment. Every other week, it seems, there’s news about a successful VPP pilot or financing for a new large VPP project. The discourse around VPPs is broken Virtual power plants are aggregations of distributed energy resources that can function as a single resource to provide certain services associated with traditional power plants. And while it’s a virtue that VPPs can include diverse resources and offer a variety of services, their complexity has often hindered policymaking efforts. Level 1 VPP: Utility program where individual DERs respond to utility signals to provide grid services. (Examples: Massachusetts’ Connected Solutions program and California’s Demand Side Grid Support program.) Level 2 VPP: DERs are aggregated into a “fleet” that responds as one resource to a utility’s call for grid services. (Example: SunRun VPPs in contracts with PG&E and California Community Choice Aggregators.) Level 3 VPP: DERs are aggregated into a “fleet” that operates as one resource in a wholesale market while staying coordinated with the local distribution utility. The fleet and individual DERs may also provide retail market services. (Example: FERC Order 2222 aggregations, when they appear.) Again, the purpose of defining terms like “virtual power plant” — or “energy storage,” “resilience,” etc. — isn’t to uncover some sort of existential truth about these resources. Nor is it to constrain anyone’s marketing efforts — go ahead and call your VPP offering whatever you want. Patented TNi Energy-BESS, we've innovated a groundbreaking method that repurposes recycled lead-acid batteries, extending their life span to 20 years for energy storage purposes. Previously, the industry lacked a safe and environmentally conscious alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, our patented proprietary technique reveals that lead-acid batteries are not only safer but also 50-60% more cost-effective than their hazardous counterparts. #TNiEnergy, #nebulositycloud, #BESS, #C3Energy, #Energy, #ZEROemmissions, #ZEROcarbonfootprint, #energytransistion, #LeadAcid Battery, #windpower, #solarpower, #VPP, #MicroGrid, #DERM

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Want to learn how microgrids can accelerate (and lower the costs of) EV charging? Click through to this case study about our project with Quality Custom Distribution, a food service logistics provider with a fleet of 30 electric delivery trucks in Southern California. Scale’s microgrid will: 1. Help QCD get its trucks on the road sooner than if it had waited for a utility service upgrade. 2. Provide charging with cost savings, lower emissions, and 100% reliability.    3. Enable QCD to get ahead of the curve on complying with California’s ACF and WAIRE regulations. This model can be replicated to accelerate the electrification of fleets across the state and across the country - read on to see why (and how): https://lnkd.in/dmuUZ_P2

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This week, Scale Microgrids published a QCD case study about our first-of-its-kind #cleanenergy #microgrid that our last-mile foodservice #distributioncenter will build and activate this year to accelerate our #fleetelectrification initiative in Southern California. 🚛 🔋 Read more at the link below. ⬇ #QualityCustomDistribution #foodservicelogistics #sustainability

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I always enjoy reading Andre's Climate Substack from André Meurer. Today I learned a ton about Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) and the HWH replacement process. TL;DR (But seriously you should read it, it's funny and packed with great advice) ➡️Efficiency: Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are significantly more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric models, offering long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. ➡️Installation: Upgrading to a HPWH can be complex, requiring electrical work and careful consideration of sizing (first-hour rating). Choosing an experienced contractor is crucial. ➡️Cost: While initial costs are higher, HPWHs pay for themselves through reduced energy bills and potential rebates. ➡️Additional Benefits: HPWHs dehumidify and slightly cool the surrounding area, which can be beneficial in humid basements. ➡️Considerations: HPWHs might be slightly noisier than traditional models and may require larger tanks to match the hot water output of gas heaters. Sign up for Andre's Climate! https://lnkd.in/e2HzZizE

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Crazy coincidence: Minutes after publishing this story about San Diego County's potential ban on grid battery storage because of recent fires, the SDG&E battery storage facility I toured TODAY caught fire. Despite the risks batteries pose, they are essential for storing renewable energy to use during the nighttime when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. A ban on these batteries, even temporary, would considerably slow down the county and state’s progress in reaching its 100% renewable energy goal by 2045. But the newly stoked fears in communities that host these batteries may well prove too strong for politicians to ignore. https://lnkd.in/gPqjHUDy #renewable #renewableenergy #battery #bess #climatechange #batteryfire #lithium #lithiumion #aes #sandiego #california #fire #wildfire

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A new study from Standford reveals there are overlooked economic benefits to distributed behind-the-meter solar energy. Especially relevant for the current rate design application before the BCUC.

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Aspen Power's Kristy Zaragoza will be on GridTECH Connect Forum's upcoming panel: "Community solar: A California dream?" Expect an interesting discussion on the heels of the recent California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision to adopt a flawed community solar program. If you have questions or would like to connect in advance let us know! By siding with utilities, the CPUC has made a choice that not only undermines the interests of ratepayers but also poses a significant setback to California's ambitious climate goals. Distributed energy generation supports the equitable and sustainable growth of community solar initiatives, and our progress toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future. Learn more about the panel here: https://lnkd.in/eAw87QMP #GridTECH #Sustainability #Solar

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Power system engineers can now simulate the impact of grid-forming inverters on power grid stability. These new models, developed by researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and their collaborators, have been approved by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), making them the first industry-approved, publicly available grid-forming inverter models. By understanding how these inverters operate on the grid, utilities can better integrate renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. This is a significant step towards achieving a decentralised power system. The models represent two mainstream grid-forming technologies: droop control and virtual synchronous machine control. #renewableenergy #sustainability #gridstability #innovation

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