SCOTUS Gives FERC Approval to Reshape Power Markets
Posted on Jan 26, 2016 in Legislative & Politics, Rates, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on SCOTUS Gives FERC Approval to Reshape Power Markets
In a 6-2 vote, the justices held that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) had authority under the Federal Power Act to issue the so-called demand-response rule, reversing the D.C. Circuit’s decision that the rule usurped state authority over retail electricity markets. Writing for the majority, Justice Elena Kagan said that demand response directly affects wholesale...
NRECA to Help Design Software to Cost-Effectively Improve Grid Resiliency
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 in Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Reliability, Technology | Comments Off on NRECA to Help Design Software to Cost-Effectively Improve Grid Resiliency
With a $1.8 million grant from the Department of Energy, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) will help develop software designed to identify the most cost-effective upgrades that utilities can make to improve grid resiliency in order to reduce economic losses caused by weather-related power outages.
Great River Energy and Other Cooperatives Join Grid Stability Research Project
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 in Innovation/Efficiency, Reliability, Technology | Comments Off on Great River Energy and Other Cooperatives Join Grid Stability Research Project
Great River Energy and other cooperatives in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) are researching ways to increase grid flexibility in order to integrate more intermittent distributed renewable energy resources. NRECA plans to create a water heater controller and a smart circuit breaker capable of controlling plug-in appliances with the hope of making load...
DC Circuit Refuses to Delay Implementation of Clean Power Plan
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Regulation & Policy | Comments Off on DC Circuit Refuses to Delay Implementation of Clean Power Plan
In a setback to dozens of states and industry groups, the D.C. Circuit Court refused to delay the Clean Power Plan (CPP) while legal challenges are ongoing. The petitioners argued that they will be irreparably harmed by starting the compliance process. Basin Electric Power Cooperative has argued that it will lose a lot of money if they comply with the CPP and it is later scrapped by...
An End to Geothermal Incentives in Illinois
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on An End to Geothermal Incentives in Illinois
Incentives for geothermal energy systems in Illinois have ended. Geothermal systems are more expensive than traditional fossil fuel based HVAC systems, but result in savings down the road. While in place, the incentives—in the form of grants—helped cooperative members install 51 geothermal projects resulting in an aggregate annual savings of $681,000. The last of the incentive grants...
Colorado Coop Begins Supplying Additional Solar Power
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Colorado Coop Begins Supplying Additional Solar Power
Poudre Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (Poudre) recently began supplying members with additional solar energy from two large solar plants. The plants, owned by Silicon Ranch Corporation, will supply power to Poudre’s members pursuant to an outputs contract. The two plants produce a combined 8 megawatts of power from 100,000 panels and will supply enough electricity to meet the needs...
Coops Urged to Consider Officer Succession Planning
Posted on Jan 19, 2016 in Corporate Governance | Comments Off on Coops Urged to Consider Officer Succession Planning
Leadership consultant Kevin Eikenberry highlights aging coop leadership and is encouraging electric coops to take a long-term view of workforce planning, including talent transition teams.
EIA Forecasts Electricity Prices to Rise in 2017
Posted on Jan 19, 2016 in Rates | Comments Off on EIA Forecasts Electricity Prices to Rise in 2017
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has reported it expects residential electricity prices to increase by about 3 percent in 2017 after holding steady in 2015 and 2016. The projected residential electricity price increases vary widely from region to region.
Enel Starts Construction of Oklahoma Wind Farm
Posted on Jan 19, 2016 in Environmental, Project Development, Renewable Energy | Comments Off on Enel Starts Construction of Oklahoma Wind Farm
Enel Green Power North America Inc. has started construction of the $180 million Drift Sand project in Grady County, Oklahoma. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and electricity from the project will go to Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. under a long-term power-purchase agreement.
Construction to Begin at Silicon Ranch Solar Energy Plant in Georgia
Posted on Jan 14, 2016 in Climate Change, Environmental, Grid & Infrastructure, Innovation/Efficiency, Project Development, Renewable Energy, Technology | Comments Off on Construction to Begin at Silicon Ranch Solar Energy Plant in Georgia
Construction on Silicon Ranch’s new 52 MWac solar energy plant is set to begin on February 1. Once completed, the plant will occupy approximately 450 acres, employ more than 200 workers and will harness enough solar energy to power the homes of approximately 8,500 of Green Power EMC’s members.
Subscribe
