Colorado Energy Office’s Post

Smart Electric Power Alliance just published an article covering #RemoteGrids / #StandalonePowerSystems and their potential to cost-effectively eliminate #wildfire risk while increasing #resiliency and #renewables utilization. This article couldn't have come out at a more critical time as the California Public Utilities Commission pushes back on Pacific Gas and Electric Company's $30B undergrounding plan. There are 40,000 miles of bare distribution conductor crisscrossing California's high-wild-fire thread districts, which in the last 10 years have caused 6 of the most devastating #wildfires in California history. We're proud to be working with #utilities and #regulators to cost-effectively eliminate wildfire risk with #safe, #reliable, #affordable, and #renewable microgrids as an alternative to undergrounding.

"Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Pepperwood Preserve unveiled the state’s first fully renewable, stand-alone power system at the nonprofit group’s remote site in the Mayacamas Mountains on Monday — part of the utility’s push to eliminate last-mile distribution lines from especially fire-prone areas. The new remote, solar-powered system is owned by PG&E and will allow the utility to remove nearly three-fourths of a mile of overhead distribution lines that cascade down a wind-swept hillside. It eliminates, as well, the associated maintenance burden and wildfire liability that power lines in mountainous areas represent. But it also will serve as a replicable model that can be used in hundreds of other locations to reduce first risk and make for a more resilient power supply, project partners said." https://lnkd.in/gJjRUv3u

Northern California utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) announced Tuesday that it will expand its remote grid program, adding six new installations in 2024. Remote grids, also known as remote microgrids, operate independently from the larger electric grid. They provide stand-alone local energy resources to defined areas, allowing the utility to remove long overhead electric distribution lines, reducing wildfire risk and service interruptions for remote customers. Remote grids often use low-carbon energy sources, such as solar, to provide reliable electricity to customers while also minimizing emissions. PG&E currently has five remote grids in operation, with a sixth expected to come online in the coming months. PG&E first deployed a remote grid in Briceburg, California, in 2021. Located near Yosemite National Park, the system replaced 1.3 miles of overhead distribution lines. More than 90% of the demand from the remote grid’s five customers is served by the system’s solar panels, with backup generators providing redundancy and additional power during the winter months when solar production declines. In 2023, PG&E commissioned its fifth stand-alone remote grid –– and its first without fossil fuels –– at Sonoma County’s Pepperwood Preserve. The Pepperwood remote grid replaces a nearly mile-long overhead distribution power line and serves the preserve’s Bechtel House, an overnight guesthouse used by scientists, teachers and students conducting climate monitoring, research and education. The Pepperwood remote grid includes a 17.36-kW direct current (DC) Standard Test Conditions canopy solar array, a 60.8-kWh DC battery energy storage system and a 27.2kVa inverter. The six new systems announced today will each serve a single customer and eliminate a total of six miles of overhead lines. By the end of the year, PG&E expects to have 12 remote grids in operation, serving a total of 18 customers and eliminating nearly 13 miles of overhead distribution lines in high fire threat areas. To save energy & cost for your business, contact me at https://buff.ly/2EjAMbu. #Reliability #EnergyStorage #EnergyEfficiency #Renewables #EnergyAudit #Procurement #Resilience https://buff.ly/4boERrV

Experts in the energy industry support utilities undergrounding more of their power lines to minimize the risk of sparking wildfires. Kim Riley has the story for Daily Energy Insider.   "Ronald Brisé, former chairman of the Florida PSC and a previous member of the Florida House of Representatives, pointed out that [investor-owned utilities] should be allowed to underground in a meaningful way, at a rate that will produce measurable benefits to the grid.    "'The PG&E proposal submitted to place about 2,000 miles underground in the next three years is reasonable considering that it will eliminate 98 percent of the risk associated with wildfires to those lines for a $3.40 per month cost to consumers,' said Brisé, a government affairs consultant at the Orlando-based law firm Gunster." #powerdelivery #safetyfirst #undergrounding #powerlines #wildfireprevention #gridhardening #gridmodernization #wildfires #damageprevention #gridresilience #gridreliability #underground #power #electricity Pacific Gas and Electric Company #criticalinfrastructure #powerindustry #energyindustry #PDi2 https://lnkd.in/g48m9ubJ

Not all battery technologies have a problem with fires, but all BESS are now being saddled with this drawback. This article alone mentions over 1.5GWh in BESS sites that experienced fires within the past 13 months. That is a significant percentage of deployed systems. It is interesting to note that the US approach seems to be bottom up with a focus on local zoning restrictions. California and New York State are looking at regulating safety (through "response plans"), but those are minor wrinkles for project developers. Zoning restrictions would be much more impactful. If zoning leaves certain sites stranded because (lithium) BESS cannot be located there, it would create unique locations for other, non-flammable ESS technologies. #BESS #ESS #fireprotection #energystorage #batteries https://lnkd.in/gKbv-snR?

A squirrel’s untimely demise in downtown Toronto sparked a significant power outage that affected 6,500 homes, taking three hours to restore power. Identified as the culprit by Toronto Hydro workers, the unfortunate electrocution of the squirrel added another chapter to the city's history of wildlife-related power disruptions. This incident isn't an isolated one; just months prior, a raccoon caused a similar outage in February. In fact, squirrels alone were responsible for a staggering 80 outages in the previous year. Despite ongoing efforts to prevent such incidents, they persist globally. This incident joins a list of wildlife-related power disruptions documented worldwide, highlighting the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure. In response to the challenge of wildlife-related power outages, innovative solutions are being explored. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) emerge as promising technology to mitigate the impact of disruptions such as squirrel-induced outages. By storing excess renewable energy during periods of low demand, BESS can provide backup power swiftly in the event of an outage, bridging the gap until regular power supply is restored. Learn about TROES’ modular energy storage systems: https://lnkd.in/gqQCXbw6 Source: https://lnkd.in/g7WCT2_W #Blackouts #EnergyStorage #BESS #EnergyInfrastructure #TorontoBlackout #ResilientEnergy #MicrogridTechnology

The Black & Veatch Insights Group discusses why utilities should consider the transition from overhead to underground power distribution and offers four benefits to the utility & the surrounding community: long-term cost savings, increased reliability & resilience, enhanced safety & security, and relief from regulatory & customer pressure.   "Underground distribution systems are essential to future-proof critical infrastructure and ensure affordable, dependable and resilient service for your customers. As utilities seek additional renewable energy options (such as solar and wind power) that require extensive underground cabling, these systems become even more essential. Whether you’re most interested in cost savings, resiliency, security or simply relieving regulatory pressures, there are numerous benefits to migrating your overhead distribution systems, underground." #powerdelivery #undergrounding #powerlines #gridresilience #gridreliability #gridmodernization #futureproofing #powergrid #infrastructure #extremeweather #damageprevention #underground #power #electricity #criticalinfrastructure 3BL #PDi2 https://lnkd.in/gzYHfyyf

Absolutely, you're spot on! While PG&E's reliability and rates might have left homeowners feeling trapped, there's a brighter and more liberating solution: residential solar power. With residential solar, you take the reins of your energy future. Imagine generating your own clean, sustainable power and bidding farewell to those skyrocketing bills. It's not just an escape from the hostage-like situation; it's a step towards energy independence and financial empowerment. Even better, the economic case for residential solar remains robust, even in the face of PG&E's challenges. Solar panels can pay for themselves over time, delivering substantial savings and a positive impact on your wallet. So, PG&E, we're taking matters into our own hands, embracing the sun's abundant energy, and saying yes to a future where we're not just captive to high rates. Residential solar is the game-changer that's here to break the cycle and put power back in our hands.