Melissa Baldwin

TODAY: A new report by National Renewable Energy Laboratory explores the barriers and opportunities for interregional transmission, a key tool for a cleaner, more reliable grid. Historically, regulatory challenges have prevented realizing the full value of interregional transmission. NREL’s report, a complement to GDO’s National Transmission Planning Study, outlines potential changes to market and operating rules to help connect high demand areas to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eF95GU8w

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Grid analysts challenge Bonneville Power’s pace in adopting advanced conductors--my latest for PV Magazine USA. As the White House encourages utilities to use advanced conductors to help interconnect new renewable generation, the federally-owned utility Bonneville Power is moving slowly to use the high-capacity conductors, analysts said. Mike O'Boyle, Casey Baker, Michelle Solomon #AdvancedConductors

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This book serves as a vital guide for utilities, government agencies, and power generators seeking to educate consumers on conservation, resource management, and reducing carbon footprints. It emphasizes the importance of demand-side management (DSM) as a proven strategy for reducing electricity peak demand, controlling costs, and promoting resource conservation. Learn techniques to develop and implement effective DSM programs that resonate with modern consumers while enabling power generators to better manage electrical loads. This guide offers actionable strategies for maximizing DSM opportunities to achieve sustainable energy solutions. A must-have resource for organizations looking to adopt smarter energy practices! #energyefficiency #demandsidemanagement #sustainability #carbonfootprint #smartenergy #energybooks https://buff.ly/4g6NVDS

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Reconductoring could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035. (My latest for PV Magazine USA) Replacing existing transmission lines, known as conductors, with advanced conductors could enable 764 GW of transmission-connected solar by 2035 even if transmission in new corridors was limited, found a study by UC Berkeley and GridLab researchers. 3M CTC Global TS Conductor Amol Phadke #Reconductoring

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A new report from RMI and Virtual Power Plant Partnership (VP3), concludes that #VirtualPowerPlants can reduce costs and could avoid up to 28 million tons of #carbonemissions by 2035, while also maintaining reliable #grid operations. Microgrid Knowledge Rod Walton Renew Home CPower Energy GoodLeap https://lnkd.in/gu4qY2wj

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As #utilities begin to embrace the benefits of deploying #distributedenergyresources, different models are emerging for how utilities and their customers can participate. Programs from Sunrun and Sparkfund are two examples. #microgrids Pier LaFarge Chris Rauscher, J.D. https://lnkd.in/gkA2C-KR

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Seven utility-scale solar projects that promote #biodiversity in addition to generate #renewableenergy via Catrin Einhorn, New York Times. ( gift article https://lnkd.in/g-terSRU ) Explore how KISTERS supports multi-benefit projects from #hail monitoring to ecological #datamanagement. https://lnkd.in/gAmMdnUP

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ICYMI: Our top stories of the week ⬇️ ✅ NEW report with the Climate & Community Institute on a whole-of-government plan for building out solar ✅ Fixing the electric utilities industry Read more in this week's #RooseveltRundown: https://lnkd.in/eCnHxGn3

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#Microgrid project Aims to Cut #Diesel Use, Save on #Energy Costs, Move Toward #EnergyIndependence in 8 #Rural Alaskan Communities: Lucas Miller Laurel Hamilton Trent Maw Michael Stadler https://lnkd.in/g85bhaP8

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Ambitious #climate goals are bringing #cities and counties face-to-face with a serious reality: the need for carbon dioxide removal in addition to #decarbonization. As some local governments start to look at carbon removal strategies, experts say the public sector entering the ring could help bring down the cost for everyone. My story for Smart Cities Dive:

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DOE proposes ten “national interest” transmission corridors (my latest for PV Magazine USA) Eight of the ten transmission corridors proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy would facilitate transmission between grid regions; one would expand transmission within the Mid-Atlantic’s #PJM grid region; and one would expand transmission in the Northern Plains.

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ComEd Hosting Capacity Map Now Updated Monthly to Enhance Interconnection Process for Solar Developers. “Our updated hosting capacity map provides developers every month with near real-time information about solar projects in the development queue, which is key to identifying the best available location to interconnect their project to our grid,” said Mark Baranek senior vice president of technical services, ComEd.” In October, ComEd received 2,250 new applications to interconnect with its electric system, which serves more than 4 million customers in northern Illinois. It was the seventh consecutive month with more than 2,000 applications to interconnect with ComEd’s grid, bringing the total applications received this year to 21,952, representing an all-time high for ComEd. Additionally, the 1,976 distributed energy resource (#DER) systems that ComEd completed in October represented 42 MW of DER generation capacity, a new one-month record. There are approximately 1,160 MW of DER interconnected to the ComEd system, including 460 MW from residential solar systems, 285 MW from community solar and more than 345 MW from commercial systems. ComEd estimates that solar power on its grid will grow to 2,700 MWs by 2030. #Solar #EnergyStorage, #CommunitySolar #DistributedEnergyResources #CEJA #CEJAworks

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Must See Webinar: How the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is Creating New Pathways for Grid Decarbonization 🔌🌿 Join us for a crucial discussion on Pathways to IRA: Pioneering New Routes for Grid Decarbonization. This in-depth session will unravel the transformative role of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Tax Credit Transfer in fueling diverse opportunities for greener energy solutions. 🔍 Dive deep into: - The mechanics behind IRA’s groundbreaking tax credits for standalone storage. - Strategies for unlocking utility-scale storage solutions. - The significant impact on bolstering the surge of renewable energy. 🚀 Whether you’re an industry professional, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about the future of energy, this webinar promises to provide invaluable insights into the innovative financial structures driving our grid's decarbonization. Watch now: http://spr.ly/6045bLBLJ #Decarbonization #SustainabilityStrategy #GreeningTheGrid #SustainableBusiness #Webinar #EnterpriseCaseStudies

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https://lnkd.in/em_Ahvtx The Federal Government has advocated for more investment in Research and Development (R&D) as the surest means of reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. NEITI (Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) ClimateChange Resilience Org NNPC Limited #nigeriansinuk #nigeriansindiaspora #nigeriansincanada #nigeriansinusa

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We spend a lot of time talking about how to cover climate change, but the fact is it's here. Instead of projections, local news orgs are deep into trials by fire, innovating as they go to keep their communities safe, informed and connected. It's ironic and wildly impressive that In the midst of AI hand-wringing and viral disinformation campaigns, innovation right now means going back to the basics in areas completely cut off by Helene's devastation. How are they doing it? Here's an initial short list, via an American Press Institute round-up, and other posts trickling in. If you have more, please feel free to add them in the comments -- I know I'm not the only person thinking a huge focus for support is equipping media for this new normal. -From CNN's Brian Stelter: Local radio stations have been a lifeline for residents, sharing updates on road closures, providing verified information on relief efforts and opening up the phone lines to answer questions and help connect people. -Daniel Williams and the folks at NC Local News Workshop helped developed a text-only, lite version of Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) built on Newspack that was rapidly deployed to get critical information into the hands of folks in Western North Carolina struggling with weak cell service. There are no ads or images so it loads fast. It also includes resources with links for services and other critical community resources. https://text.bpr.org/ -From Jeremy Markovich on North Carolina Rabbit Hole: In Black Mountain, town leaders gathered in person in the Town Square to share information about the status of the utilities and other necessities. Residents learned about the meeting from posters, and outlets have used whiteboards placed around town.   -The Asheville Citizen-Times launched a text message service to help to answer questions directly about news and local services. (This is part of a larger trend towards text messaging as an audience tool, Charlotte Tobitt wrote in Press Gazette, noting that SubText will send roughly five billion text messages this year.)  🙏 to the journalists out there doing the work.

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The build-out of solar energy is a balancing act, and it's important to have the facts on both sides. The Aratina Solar Center is a good case in point with so much going into mitigation, far beyond requirements: https://lnkd.in/gcwE9Xgg

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