Rich Kehl

Amazing article by Canary Media Inc. on the work that Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Grid Research Innovation and Development organization is accelerating with our DERMS platform and our partnership with Schneider Electric to accelerate load growth and transportation electrification here in California. I'd also be remiss if I did not call out Microsoft that was also a major contributor in our DERMS journey. There is a huge number of folks involved in this amazing project, but to call out just a few, Alex Portilla, Tahir Paroo, Olagunju Oyeleye, PhD, Alex Collins, Adarsh Madhavan, Salma Bakr, PhD, Rustom Dessai, Alex Haralambous, Vishal S., David Lo, MBA, CISM, CRISC, MaryAnn Dillahunty, our partner project managers from West Monroe, and so many others. Pacific Gas and Electric Company will continue to drive innovation as our core capability to ensure that we can both decarbonize the energy sector, and do so while driving down the total cost of energy wallet for our customers. As we drive toward the much needed rate stabilization for our customers, innovations such as these that increase throughput on our system will have positive impacts on our rates, and I look forward to continuing to partner with the innovation ecosystem to find ideas such as these that can create a step-change impact to our clean-energy future. Many huge props to the California Public Utilities Commission and folks like Cheryl Cox who continue to drive innovation in California with programs like EPIC that enable utilities like ours to invest in R&D that can make these type of dreams into reality. All of the work done in EPIC 2 and EPIC 3 has led to our ability to implement programs like these, so let's keep it going! #wecandothis #innovation #derms #cleanenergy #flexconnect #EV #electrification #acceleration #whatsnext

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 During an oversight hearing on California’s electric grid August 6, the chairman of the Senate’s energy and utilities committee had this to say: “We find ourselves here today with these challenges [energy affordability and reliability] because our legislation has been more aspirational than practical. Consumers are feeling this and we need to be more practical in what we’re trying to do.” It seems that California's headlong rush to renewable energy sources, touted as being cheaper and more reliable, are anything but that. Ignoring what technical experts are saying does have consequences. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gT73_8Jf

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One of the key things that we need to figure out as we work to decarbonize energy is how electric utilities can most effectively facilitate innovation and decarbonization. There are lots of different models that could work. One important question is how utilities can best enable distributed energy resources (DERs, like batteries, EVs, thermostats, and solar PV) to help solve grid problems. One approach is known as the "Distribution System Operator" (DSO) model, in which a range of different stakeholders can build “Virtual Power Plants” from aggregations of DERs, with the DSO playing a market facilitation role for the various VPPs. This model can take many different forms, and has both advantages and disadvantages. Come and learn more in this DER Task Force seminar with Angela Kent:

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Air Products' Global VP, Hydrogen for Mobility, Eric Guter participated in an engaging panel discussion today at the California Hydrogen Convention in Los Angeles, CA on the latest in California’s hydrogen market development strategy to accelerate clean energy deployment, decarbonizing the transportation and heavy industry sectors and more. Learn more about why energy-intensive sectors of our economy would benefit from using clean hydrogen: https://brnw.ch/21wKid7

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A common theme in fleet electrification... the vehicles show up but the grid is years behind. Diesel generators have been seen as the aging temporary power solution but it emits too much local pollution (NOx & PM). Our Methanol reformers and fuel cells emit no NOx or PM. An economic way to move in temporary power and charge your fleet or replace your diesel generators.

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Enjoying panel discussion today re: clean energy for AI here in my hometown of Seattle and catching up with clients, partners, and colleagues. Of course long distance transmission top of mind, also interesting discussion of nuclear energy growth as well https://lnkd.in/g64QEukh

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California once pioneered the run to the duck curve, with accelerated deployment of solar PV connected to the grid, and now, once again is pioneering the road towards managing the challenges imposed by the duck curve with grid battery storage #enegystorage #renewableenergy #energytransition #gridintegration #electrification

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… When skepticism turns into urgent demand, the grid must evolve. In this clip from The Grid Mod Pod, Katie Sloan from Southern California Edison (SCE) shares how the rapid electrification of heavy-duty vehicles in SCE is pushing utilities to rethink grid planning. This cultural shift is a game-changer for energy planners and engineers. Watch the full episode below  to learn how this transformation is shaping the future of our grid.

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Very interesting article on how CA can assist resiliency, avoid significant energy costs and save rate payers money.

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DOE offers $900M for next-generation small modular reactors. The U.S. Department of Energy said it expects to announce an official solicitation and open up applications in late summer or fall. The U.S. Department of Energy announced Monday that it will provide $900 million of funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law to support the deployment of light-water small modular reactors. The department will give up to $800 million to “up to two first-mover teams of utility, reactor vendor, constructor, and end-users or power off-takers committed to deploying a first plant while at the same time facilitating a multi-reactor, Gen III+ SMR. In a second round of funding, DOE will award up to $100 million to fix “key gaps” troubling the domestic nuclear industry in areas including design, licensing, supplier development and site preparation, with the goal of spurring additional Gen III+ small modular reactor deployments. The energy transition is here – is your business ready to adapt? With rising electricity rates, uncertain grid reliability and an urgency to meet sustainability goals, your business is most likely assessing how to reduce costs, increase grid resiliency and maintain operational effectiveness – all while a ZERO carbon & ZERO emissions footprint. Are you seeking an eco-friendly, sustainable, and secure option beyond lithium-ion BESS? At TNI Energy, we've innovated a groundbreaking method that repurposes recycled lead-acid batteries, extending their life span to 15-20 years for energy storage purposes. Previously, the industry lacked a safe and environmentally conscious alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, our proprietary technique reveals that lead-acid batteries are not only safer but also 30-40% more cost-effective than their hazardous counterparts and NO Thermal Runaways! #TNiEnergy, #nebulositycloud, #BESS, #Energy, #ZEROemmissions, #ZEROcarbonfootprint, #energytransistion, #LeadAcid Battery, #windpower, #solarpower, #VPP, #MicroGrid

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For anyone who will be at IEEE Power & Energy Society T&D Conference feel free to stop by our panel session on #EVs and #gridreliability. Will be an interesting cross-sector discussion including technology provider, independent system operator, and utility perspectives among others. E-mobility is driving the blending of Transmission and Distribution system planning, design, and operations. Particularly with the growing prevalence of distributed energy resources, IoT and grid-edge technologies, and virtual power plants (#VPPs).

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join to learn more!

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California is leading the way in transforming how Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) integrate with the grid, introducing innovative measures that could set a new standard nationwide. The state's recent decision to allow flexible interconnection via Limited Generation Profiles (LGPs) addresses key grid challenges, especially during peak demand periods. By adopting a 24-value configuration for export schedules, DER projects can better align their output with grid needs throughout the year. This provides a significant boost to the value DERs bring while mitigating potential interconnection costs for developers. Moreover, the decision carefully balances the financial risks associated with curtailment by limiting utilities' ability to permanently reduce output unless specific conditions are met. This regulatory evolution not only fosters more grid-supportive renewable projects but also sets a strong precedent for other states considering similar strategies. This development underscores the importance of regulatory innovation in driving a cleaner, more flexible grid. As California advances these approaches, the broader energy industry will likely benefit from the lessons learned and best practices developed. #RenewableEnergy #DER #GridInnovation #EnergyPolicy #Sustainability #CaliforniaEnergy #CleanEnergy #DistributedEnergy #Interconnection #EnergyStorage #EnergyTransition #SolarPower #SmartGrid #Utility #EnergyEfficiency #Renewables https://lnkd.in/dmTS8J-W

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A new report from The Brattle Group, prepared for GridLab, finds that California’s market potential for virtual power plants (VPPs) could hit 7.5 GW by 2035! That would exceed 15% of peak demand. The strategy would include automated demand response for large commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Other report findings: - VPPs can reduce risks associated with interconnection delays. - VPPs can scale flexibly as demand grows. How can we ensure this potential is reached, in California and across the nation? Maplewell's cutting-edge JANiiT platform can help, with automated, predictive energy management + distributed energy storage to unlock grid flexibility! #energystorage #virtualpowerplants #renewableenergy #energymanagement

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As previously announced, Michael Burns is also part of Invizyne's expanded leadership team in his capacity as Vice President of Energy Transition - he states, "The challenges of decarbonization of the hard to abate areas of the energy paradigm such as sustainable aviation and renewable chemicals will require a herculean effort from all quarters. We are dedicated to accelerating energy transition through the commercialization of novel cell-free technologies which utilize low carbon intensity sustainable feedstocks to manufacture difficult to produce - but critical - building blocks. These building blocks are required to create the next generation of fuels and chemicals and carve a path to a healthy sustainable planet." Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/dVVAJuYq #biomanufacturing #nextgenbiomanufacturing #cellfree #enzymes #biochemistry #biochemicals #synbio #syntheticbiology #synbiobeta #biosynthesis #simplepath #saf #sustainableaviationfuel #energytransition 

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In this AEIC (Association of Edison Illuminating Companies) Grid Mod Pod episode, we’re excited to be joined by Paul Grigaux, Vice President of T&D Distribution for Southern California Edison (SCE) California Edison. Paul has also taken the lead of our Power Delivery Committee's newest Subcommittee: Safety Benchmarking. Here’s what you’ll learn when you listen in: -An overview of how the Safety Benchmarking subcommittee is structured and who can become a member -Why it's critical for utilities to mitigate operational health and safety risks when executing grid activities -How utility leaders can create a workplace culture with safety at the forefront -How to effectively train the next generation to work more safely on the grid -What utilities can do to disseminate information on grid safety to their employees https://lnkd.in/ewCf-66m

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The future -- and the "right now" of electric planning discussed here at PG&E Innovation Summit is about flexible interconnection. Flexibility, flexible loads, are a big part of the PG&E Strategy Report 2024. Patti Poppe of Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Sean Moser of GE Vernova both spoke about connecting loads now, even those larger than available energy, as opportunities that can not only be managed but are exciting and critical to electrification. I think my friends at Camus Energy should be excited to hear this. Read about their approach to addressing this opportunity https://lnkd.in/gbnbQ8gq #pgeinnovationsummit

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Enjoy this short video showcasing how our partners enabling customers in making real improvements in cost, reliability, and sustainability of both our electricity and transportation sectors through smart charging!

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