Rick Needham

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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Merchant vs hedge in battery storage... That's what I'll be discussing at the Solarmedia Battery Asset Management Summit November 12 in San Diego I'll be on a panel with my friend Joe Crespo, Sandeep Arora of REV Renewables, Erdal Kara, PhD of Vistra Corp., Li Xu of LXI Capital and Sebastian Blake of Octopus Energy talking about risks and rewards, and sharing my Plus Power perspective #energystorage #batterystorage #batteries https://lnkd.in/eQDiv_Ax

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Grid Reliability Impacts of EV Charging-Two Important Initiatives-Call for Engagement Several years ago, with the support of EnerTech Capital, the California Mobility Center, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), WECC and other organizations, I was fortunate to be involved in helping to form and manage a working group focused on increasing cross sector collaboration to better understand and mitigate potential adverse impacts of EV charging. In April 2022, a CMC working group published a paper including a number of grid friendly charging recommendations, as well as highlighted the need for more robust technical collaboration between the electric industry and EV OEMs and real-world data to both support and build on recommendations regarding grid friendly charging behaviors. I'm highlighting two recent initiatives and encouraging ongoing technical engagement and support from experts in utility, automotive, communications, software, consulting, and related fields. NERC is proposing to stand up an electric vehicle task force under its industry led Reliability Security Technical Committee. The task force deliverables over 2 years include reports regarding bulk power system reliability risks, a technical report on EV charging states and type tests, improvements in EV charging load modeling, and recommendations regarding interconnection requirements. For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected] In addition, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute recently made available a paper entitled “Exploratory Pilot: Analyzing Grid and EV Interactions Through Measuring Driving Behavior, Charging Behavior and Electricity.”  James Sayer and Eric Wingfield led the work for UMTRI, together with Taylor Spalt from Utilidata. The pilot monitored ten vehicles for operational data over 86 days at 8 public charging locations outfitted with Utilidata’s meter adapters. Among the observations was that during specific charging events, EVs generated increased power loss, contributed to voltage loss, and created unfriendly grid responses among other effects. Further research is recommended to support the assessment of potential broader grid impacts, as well as improve modeling. These observations are consistent with the findings contained in the CMC working group report. The paper also included observations regarding charging behaviors and impacts. Continued stakeholder supported research by UMTRI is critical and can help inform the NERC EV Task Force initiative. Please reach out to Eric Wingfiled at UMTRI for a copy of the paper. He may be reached at [email protected] Fostering electric system reliability is critical to the success and reputation of the automotive and utility industries.  Getting this type of collaboration off the ground and maintaining momentum is not easy, especially given the pressing challenges facing both industries. Please lean in. Your support is critical.

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Yesterday, the DOE released its latest lift-off report on advanced grid technologies – it’s a fascinating and compelling read with some surprising and powerful take-aways. I’m summarizing the highlights here, but I would definitely recommend at least checking out the executive summary for its clarity and conviction. You can access the report here: https://lnkd.in/gMuFwx3c Highlights and key take aways: We all know the grid is experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand: data centers, AI, electric cars and the broader shift to electrify everything is expected to drive 91GW of peak demand growth in the next decade. This risks reversing so many recent decarbonization gains if the default response is to build new gas peaker plants and defer shuttering of existing coal generation. As laid out by the DOE, multiple grid solutions that are commercially available TODAY could increase effective transmission & distribution capacity by 20-100 GW, in other words, potentially allowing us to fully meet the coming surge in demand without the need for new generation capacity These solutions can be deployed in UNDER 3-5 YEARS and at LOWER COST and GREATER VALUE than conventional approaches. The types of technologies being described here fall into four categories: 1) Advanced transmission (e.g., high voltage direct current); 2) Situational awareness and system automation (e.g., advanced distribution management systems); 3.) Grid enhancing technologies (e.g., virtual power plants); and 4) Foundational systems (e.g., system digitization). Sadly, though not surprising, the report also finds “adoption at scale and associated industry know how is lagging largely due to a lack of industry incentives and prioritization” In other words, even though investing in these available technologies is cheaper and more effective than sticking with the status quo, its not happening. The report powerfully reminds us: “ The mandate of the United States electric grid and of its operators is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power to customers.” And "The U.S. transmission and distribution grid requires significant investment to address these accelerating trends and pressures." In this moment of disruption, utilities, regulators and grid operators have such incredible power to support and accelerate the green transition; not just in the fight against climate change, but simply to move us toward a more dynamic, resilient and cost effective grid. In the past, when demand was flat, incremental, risk averse, business-as-usual approaches to infrastructure and capacity investment maybe could work; but in a moment where the future looks nothing like the past, actual long term, system-level strategic planning and innovation is needed. From interconnection fees to cost-plus payor rates, its time for us to cast off the vestiges of last century's model of centralized generation and distribution, and embrace a new identity for utilities in the 21st century.

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From NRECA: Four large electric grid operators are backing NRECA’s legal argument that the Environmental Protection Agency’s power plant greenhouse gas rule will drive the early closure of crucial generation sources and threaten grid reliability. https://lnkd.in/gD7mrVpc

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Don’t miss the upcoming panel presentations and discussion 2 weeks from today on the topic of EV Charging and Grid Reliability at IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) T&D Conference on May 7th from 1-3 pm in Anaheim, CA. Ryan Quint, CEO of Elevate Energy Consulting, and former engineering director at North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) will lead off the discussion with a landscape overview and call to action for more engaged cross-sector collaboration and establishment of “grid friendly” charging practices. Bryan Jungers, Director of Mobility at E Source will provide an overview of some of the challenges in the areas of managed charging, EVs as a grid resource, and understanding the impacts of medium and heavy-duty vehicle charging, as well as the need for improved communications and data sharing. Ryan Garoogian, Senior Engineer at Southern California Edison (SCE) and Deepak Aswani, Supervising Principal Engineer at SMUD will share their perspectives regarding some of the challenges their companies are facing, as well as examples of mitigation strategies they are deploying, with the rapid growth of EV charging loads in their service territories. Peter Klauer Senior Advisor to the California ISO will share important insights on some of the operational challenges the CAISO is facing in understanding and managing EV load growth in the context of California’s changing resource mix and the increased presence of DERs. He’ll also highlight opportunities for EV’s to make positive contributions in addressing these challenges, as well as the need for standards which allow grid operators to gain greater situational awareness of EV and DER load impacts. Scott Caruso, President of Gridmetrics, Inc. will share valuable insights on the breakthrough broadband enabled continuous point on wave platform his company has developed for delivering insights to mitigate EV charging grid reliability impacts. This will be a great session and we hope you can join us. #gridreliability #evcharging #DistributedEnergyResources #EVs

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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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Alternative terminology for “advanced conductors” might be “modern conductors” or “efficient conductors”. For a technology that can double transfer capability by 2x at the same voltage, ROW, I wonder if we’re getting closer to seeing a filiment to LED bulb-type shift for both replacement projects, and new builds? As we think about what new HVDC lines for #offshorewind to connect to, how to move power to loads like data centers, how to interconnect a range of new power sources quickly and at a lower cost, and how to mitigate vegetation contact and wildfire issues associated with thermal sag, advanced / modern / efficient conductors are some of the lowest hanging, fast, and impactful options. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s #interconnection order 2023 moves in this direction by at least requiring the study of advanced conductor options. This moves the discussion to a more deliberate consideration of a conductor choice in scarce new and existing ROWs. Will conductors eventually have efficiency standards at a given voltage like lighting or appliances? #transmission #enegy

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MIT is co-leading an effort to enable the development of two new large-scale renewable energy projects in regions with carbon-intensive electrical grids: Big Elm Solar in Bell County, Texas, came online this year, and the Bowman Wind Project in Bowman County, North Dakota, is expected to be operational in 2026. Together, they will add a combined 408 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity to the power grid. This work is a critical part of MIT’s strategy to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2026.The Consortium for Climate Solutions, which includes MIT and 10 other Massachusetts organizations, seeks to eliminate close to 1 million metric tons of greenhouse gases e ...

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Cummins Inc. Technical Sales Leader will be chatting with a senior editor at WTWH Media LLC on Monday 9th December at 2pm EST about how to get value from your #microgrid.   This course will provide an introduction to feasibility studies for microgrid applications. Participants will learn how to optimize energy assets to meet #economic and #sustainability goals through detailed load profile analysis and site-specific data. As well as learn to conduct feasibility studies, how to perform detailed load analysis and how to utilize feasibility study outcomes to determine the most efficient asset configuration, focusing on objectives like minimizing net present cost and reducing system emissions.

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FERC has approved interconnection reform - and this is *generally* good for the energy transition. That said the devil in in the details of how states and utilities implement these changes. Some improvements like penalties assessed against utilities for tardy studies, trying to clean out queue squatters, and expressly identifying certain technical flexibility into interconnection design are good. However, we have specifically seen "Cluster Studies" and higher financial security requirements stymie development and create very costly and endless loops of re-studies in many markets (utility and DG). Calling on American Clean Power Association (ACP) Solar Energy Industries Association and importantly state level advocacy and watch dog groups to closely watch and actively participate as the implementation of these changes occur at the state level PUCs and DPUs - ensuring proper accountability and fair play. https://lnkd.in/ewehaH52 NYSERDA New York Solar Energy Industries Association MID-ATLANTIC RENEWABLE ENERGY COALITION Renewable Energy Vermont American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Smart Electric Power Alliance NECEC Cleantech Leaders Roundtable

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The bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 released by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) takes a much needed step in accelerating the permitting process for critical energy projects in the U.S. As the legislation spornors's state (shared here), our outdated permitting system is stifling our ability to move clean energy projects forward, which in turn has adverse economic effects and inhibits our ability to reduce emissions. I'm glad to see these bipartisan efforts are moving toward fixing a broken permitting system that has shackled American energy production for far too long. #EnergyProduction #EnergyPermitting

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Follow the Edge Zero North American team which is implementing grid monitoring programs that help set Dynamic Operating Envelopes. DOEs enable more effective management of Distributed Energy Resources (DERMs) and VPPs within the physical constraints of the grid. #DistributedEnergyResources#DynamicOperatingEnvelopes #DERMS #VPPs #zerodoubts

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✅ California's community solar potential is not being fulfilled amidst stakeholder demands, leading to a controversial vote by the CPUC. ✅ Alliant Energy in Wisconsin completes 200 MW solar project, part of a 12-project buildout, with combined capacity reaching over 1 GW. ✅ Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) advances in competition with lithium-ion batteries, offering lower costs over larger periods. From community solar projects in California not reaching their full potential owing to a contentious CPUC vote, to unprecedented solar accomplishments in Wisconsin where Alliant Energy wraps up a 200 MW solar project - part of an ambitious multi-phase assignment spanning 12 projects aiming for over 1 GW! The post also discusses remarkable advancements in Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES), expected to overtake lithium-ion batteries with lower costs over extended periods. In international news, price trends in the global solar industry are fluctuating due to complex intercontinental trade environments, with the solar wafer prices softening. As for weather, unique irradiance patterns recorded across North America due to the Gulf's heat dome and a polar jet stream have brought fascinating changes to solar outputs in May. Adding to exciting developments, Chinese wafer manufacturer TCL Zhonghuan aims to acquire a majority stake in Maxeon, boosting its financial strength. Lastly, Canadian Solar, a global manufacturer, is challenging the widespread support for tariffs among fellow solar manufacturers. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com ☀️

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Continued investment in the grid is an imperative for the #energytransition. #grid #energytransition

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🚢 Exciting News from Siemens Energy! 🌊 Thrilled to share a recent feature in Power Progress magazine spotlighting Bryant Fuller, a retired USN Rear Admiral and the driving force behind our federal maritime programs at Siemens Energy. In the article, Fuller delves into the collaborative and iterative nature of maritime power systems, stating, “Designing a power system for a ship is a system of systems,” and underscores the importance of stakeholder involvement for achieving optimal solutions. One of our standout projects is the world’s first hydrogen-hybrid research vessel for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. This groundbreaking initiative not only highlights the potential of hydrogen fuel cells but also paves the way for a zero-emissions future, driving innovation in reducing carbon emissions for maritime operations. 🌍🚢 Let’s continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in maritime energy solutions! Read the full article here: #MaritimeInnovation #SustainableShipping #SiemensEnergy #MaritimeEngineering #HydrogenHybridVessel

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In his #EEI2024 keynote, Founder and CEO Jensen Huang described how #AI will transform the U.S. power grid by enabling #utilities to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and advance clean #energy. Read the blog. https://bit.ly/3WrLswz

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