Bob Weisenmiller’s Post

This an insightful opinion piece by Michael E. Webber in today's The New York Times. "Shareholder pressure on electric utilities has prioritized profits over maintenance that can help reduce wildfire risk. This deferred maintenance over the decades means old frail utility poles are more likely to fall and outdated, weakened wires are more apt to snap during storms." "Worst of all, it seems the nation is still in deep denial about climate change. A hotter, drier climate in the Mountain West means that our abundant forests and grasslands are a tinderbox waiting to ignite." #electricity #energy #energytransition #energypolicy #infrastructure #transmission #distribution

Another day…. another case for independent home solar + battery backup storage. I presented to a group of business owners last week on the topic of “why solar + storage”, and at the root of our conversation was that until we see a problem, we don’t tend to seek a solution. It’s human nature. When things seem to be working fine, we often stay with the status quo, even if the status quo is wildly fragile. These types of occurances are increasingly exposing the problem. I say this all the time and it’s true. Selling solar is the sale of peace of mind and predictability. When quality solar with a rhobust warranty is done right, it’s exactly what it is. If you have questions about solar, please message me directly. #nationwidesolar #residentialsolar

Thrilled to be present at an engaging discussion at the Texas Energy Summit “The Trifecta - Resilient, Affordable, and Clean”. Moderator Micalah Spentath led a conversation with an expert panel including Joel Yu from Enchanted Rock Victoria Villarreal from Base Power Company and Charlene Heydinger , as they dive into the critical challenges and opportunities shaping Texas’ energy future. Since Winter Storm Uri and more recently Hurricane Beryle, the need for energy reliability and resilience has evolved from a luxury to an absolute necessity. As we head into the 2024 Texas legislative session, discussions will inevitably focus on the impacts of extreme weather and energy costs on consumers. The panelist highlighted how the solutions we need to achieve in balance between resilience, affordability, and sustainability are already in the market. The key? Innovation, market participation, and a willingness to open the door to new ideas that can transform the energy landscape. #TexasEnergySummit #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Resilience #AffordableEnergy #Innovation #TexasEnergy #EnergyPolicy

We are proud that our home state of Colorado, through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), is developing (and seeking feedback for) a Microgrid Roadmap 👍 Check this out and note feedback is due by August 1st! "Colorado has recently experienced an increasing number of climate-related extreme weather events, including wildfires, winter storms , and floods. State lawmakers recognize the potential impacts of these extreme weather events on the electric grid and passed legislation (HB22-1249) directing CEO and CRO to develop a Microgrid Roadmap providing guidance on how microgrids can:  -improve grid resilience and reliability for individual customers and communities; deliver and manage electricity; -provide necessary infrastructure in locations where extending distribution infrastructure is not practical ; and,  -operate independently and disconnected from the larger grid when necessary to meet the electricity needs of communities, neighborhoods, or buildings." #resiliency #microgrids #energystorage #solar https://lnkd.in/dCjHNatS

California, Texas, and North Carolina are among the top states for solar and wind energy, but they are also susceptible to wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. Explore the challenges of catastrophic risk in the #RenewableEnergy sector. #CATRisk

🚧🚧🚧... state of ...Carolina Duke Energy Power outages and flooding expected; take steps to stay informed and get reconnected safely. Hurricane Helene is expected to bring torrential rain, strong winds and a high risk of flooding to the Carolinas. Your safety is paramount. Should your area be impacted by flooding, please refer to the guidance below. In the event rising flood waters would require your home or business to be de-energized or your meter sustains electrical damage, the following information may help to get you reconnected as soon as possible. Safety Guidance Stay informed of changing weather conditions and follow the directions of state and county emergency management. If rising water threatens your home or business – or if you evacuate due to flooding – turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box. Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed electrical lines. Don't drive over – and don't stand near – downed electrical lines. Never replace a fuse or touch a circuit breaker with wet hands, or while standing on a wet or damp surface. Reconnection Information If your home or business is flooded, Duke Energy cannot reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a licensed electrician. If your meter sustains damage or is pulled away from your house or facility, an electrician will need to make necessary repairs and an inspection by your local building inspection authority may be required before power can be restored. Your electrician should be aware and advise you accordingly. Please stay safe. For up-to-date information on Helene and additional resources as you navigate storm impacts, visit dukeenergyupdates.com. Duke Energy also offers the public updates on lake levels and current alerts at duke-energy.com/lakes and at 800-829-LAKE. The public can also use the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app. Building a Smarter Energy Future Facebook X LinkedIn Youtube Instagram RSS Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | View in Browser 525 South Tryon Street | Charlotte, NC 28202 © Duke Energy Corporation. All Rights Reserved. duke-energy.com Blessed be. 🕊️🪷🌿 Show quoted text

Businesses need to consider alternative / distributed energy resources (DER). Upgrades to the utility grids will take years and loss of power for hours/days or weeks is going to work. There are alternatives that can give you the stability needed.

Thank you to the Microgrid Innovation Forum for 2 days of focused discussion. September 24 - 25, concurrent with Climate week and just before hurricane Helene. Here are some take aways. 📈 Microgrids will be a $10 billion market by 2030. They are an enabler and a disruptor. ⌛ 14 years ago, the first microgrids took 8 years to be commissioned, now it is 12 to 18 months from inception to power. 🗓️ Time to power is a big issue: distribution upgrades take 2-4 years and transmission upgrades 4-8 years.  🏠 While there is a lot of press on our transition lines, problems manifest locally in terms of lack of supply or reliability.  😬 In CA, you  can only run diesel when the grid is down.  💪 Reliability versus resilience. Utilities aim for 99.94% reliability for power. ❄️ If you have seen one microgrid, you have seen one microgrid. An industry challenge for scaling. New Sun Road's energy management platform (EMS) manages locally and fleets of projects and is flexible to help standardize while keeping costs down. #microgrids #renewableenergy #localpower #resilience https://lnkd.in/gAjX-ZrP

This is an interesting look at the impact of Helene on the energy grid in NC, and how utilities are starting to think out of the box when it comes to resiliency and hardening the grid. https://lnkd.in/ehZpTEur

Energy economist, fellow at the University of Houston and Power for Tomorrow expert, @edwardhirs speaks to the The Wall Street Journal about how companies are working to adapt as they confront record-setting temperatures, floods and windstorms. “Storms are another big problem because they are expected to increase in severity and frequency. That means utilities, grid operators and power-plant owners will have to spend a lot more on things such as strengthening electric poles, transmission towers and other infrastructure.” https://lnkd.in/gkj3z8wB