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Abstract: A decentralized clean energy future is both necessary and inevitable. The centralized bulk power system, while still needed, is not capable by itself to meet today’s goals for decarbonization, resilience and energy justice. These goals all have local dimensions that require local solutions. Meanwhile DER technologies are rapidly improving in performance and cost just in time to enable cost-effective local energy solutions to be deployed for almost any type and scale of end-use need. This presentation will describe key elements of a decentralized, democratized future electricity system and offer practical strategies for building that future from the bottom up.

Speaker bio: Lorenzo Kristov is an independent consultant working on electric power system reform to integrate high levels of renewable generation and distributed energy resources (DER). With 18 years of experience as a Principal in market design and infrastructure policy at the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), Lorenzo’s areas of expertise include wholesale power market design, DER participation in wholesale markets, coordination of transmission and distribution operations, markets and planning, distribution system operator (DSO) models, distribution-level markets, local energy resilience and microgrids, and whole-system grid architecture.

Resources

1. Speaker slides available here.
2. Rough audio transcript available here.
3. Video recording available on request to kentwitt@gmail.com.
4. Announcement by Maine of availability of DSO study draft, webinar, and opportunities for comment.

Background

1. Envisioning a More Democratic, Bottom-Up Energy System, VOLTS podcast, May 15, 2024.
2. Testimony to Minnesota PUC re Xcel Minnesota rate case in 2022, provided by speaker.

The post Talk by Lorenzo Kristov appeared first on Fix the Grid.

Bob recommends the following sources for industry news going forward. All of them allow for email subscriptions.

John Kemp’s daily Best in Energy: An interesting big-picture source, particularly from the financial perspective.

Northeast Energy News: It draws from a multitude of local and regional sources. 

Utility Dive:  Reporters have inside connections to FERC and all U.S. regional transmission organizations including ISO-NE. Comprehensive resource.

The post Industry News Highlights appeared first on Fix the Grid.

The post ISO-NE Public Board Meeting: appeared first on Fix the Grid.

Eligibility for each cohort depends on the cohort topic, but ideal participants may include local and regional governments, not-for-profit economic development districts, municipal and cooperative utilities, Tribes, and community-based organizations.

The three peer-learning cohort topics in this round are:

• Distributed wind
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency 101 in Appalachia
• Microgrids

Applications are due by October 31 at Clean Energy to Communities Program: Peer-Learning Cohorts | State, Local, and Tribal Governments | NREL

The post Peer-Learning Cohort from the Dept of Energy: appeared first on Fix the Grid.

Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 from 5 – 8 pm
Artists for Humanity EpiCenter
100 West 2nd St, South Boston, MA
Tickets: $10

The post Green Energy Consumer Alliance appeared first on Fix the Grid.

– Metropolitan Area Planning Council peak demand notification program (more specifically for Boston metro area but still generally applies elsewhere)

The post Managing peak demand during summer heat: appeared first on Fix the Grid.

–Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) the 48e Bonus Low Income Tax Credit

–Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Enhancement and Innovation Grant

Please register for the upcoming sessions and share information about these sessions with anyone in your network who you believe will benefit from engaging with the DOE. Meeting Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com) OR https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcO2vrDwpGhHrhYNWvquwIlzPs_bWp6U#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The post Federal Department of Energy engagement: appeared first on Fix the Grid.

Instead, Enbridge, the infamous pipeline company responsible for Line 3, Line 5, and the Weymouth Compressor, is proceeding with a 23% capacity expansion of the Algonquin pipeline. This pipeline runs from New Jersey through New York and into Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, bringing fracked gas from as far away as Texas.  The gas is then distributed to customers via distribution systems throughout New England. Enbridge claims more gas is needed for electricity generation and heating at the exact time we are seeking to reduce gas for these purposes.

Enbridge first announced this capacity expansion in late 2023, seeking customers willing to sign contracts. Since then the company has been proceeding with a series of supposedly independent “improvements and maintenance” on the pipeline, all consistent with their objective of increasing its capacity. Here is what we know so far.

• Enbridge is proceeding with a replacement pipeline with 4X the capacity of the existing pipeline in Rhode Island under the Sakonnet River, part of Narragansett Bay. Despite best efforts of the opposition, the Rhode Island authorities and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the project at the end of June.
• At the same time, FERC also authorized the construction of a new metering and regulator facility in Coventry, CT, denying protests filed by the opposition.
• On state-designated Priority Habitat of Rare Species in Lincoln, MA, Enbridge is planning to remove 40 or more mature trees in order to gain access to replace the metering and regulator facility there. The site is on land owned by the City of Cambridge that was purchased to provide a natural buffer for the city’s water supply. Cambridge opposed the project, but Enbridge sued, claiming eminent domain. A settlement was reached on June 14.  Opposition is forming, including a tree sit-in. It appears that Enbridge is short-cutting the approval process that should have included at least the state environmental authorities.

What can you do?

1. Educate yourself and others about this problem.  See http://stopprojectmaple.org for more background and upcoming actions. Join activists in the Stop Project Maple coalition by contacting Martha Klein (puckyshouse@gmail.com).
2. Write Letters to the Editor of your local papers expressing your opposition.
3. Contact your local officials in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut to sign an opposition letter for your state. See https://stopprojectmaple.org/take-action/ for instructions.

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