Steve Pullins of AlphaStruxure makes the case that utility standby charges and departing load charges are inherently unfair. If the microgrid customer expects a service from the utility and it fails, then the customer should expect a rebate on standby charges, Pullins argues.
By now, most people know that microgrids featuring on-site, sustainable energy generation can provide a resilient alternative. The result is that microgrid adoption is surging both through customers making the capital investment for their own system, or through energy as a service providers like AlphaStruxure.
Steve Pullins, AlphaStruxure
The really interesting Microgrid Knowledge article on California standby charges sparked a personal reaction for two reasons.
A new training and certification program in California equips electricians with the skills needed to work with microgrids and storage, while aiming to ensure minority and disadvantaged residents benefit from the program.
Photo courtesy ESAMTAC
As part of the effort to train workers for jobs that address climate change, the California Workforce Development Board has provided a $1.25 million grant for training and certification through a new nonprofit, Energy Storage and Microgrid Training and Certification (ESAMTAC).
The larger, $25.6 million effort, which includes additional climate mitigation projects, has a goal of ensuring equity in climate related jobs, said Aida Cardenas, deputy director of equity climate jobs under the California Workforce Development Board. Funded by the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund money generated by California’s cap-and-trade legislation the other grants in the project provide funding for public utilities, healthcare, water, public servic
The US Congress passed a pandemic relief bill late Monday night that includes funding for microgrids, energy storage and renewable energy.
The spending package includes the Energy Act of 2020, which contains consensus provisions from Senate and House energy legislation, Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Dec. 21.
Update: President Trump signed the legislation into law on December 27
The Energy Act focuses on research, development, and demonstration of next-generation technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the senators.
“This bipartisan package will foster innovation across the board on a range of technologies that are critical to our energy and national security, our long-term economic competitiveness, and the protection of our environment,” Murkowski, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources chairman, said, noting it was the first major energy policy update in 13 years.
In response to customer demand for increased resiliency, Xcel Energy’s Wisconsin utility is proposing a microgrid pilot program that could include 22 projects.
By TWStock/Shutterstock.com
Northern States Power’s Resiliency Service Pilot would be capped at 30 MW, with a third of the capacity dedicated to governmental and nonprofit entities, according to a Dec. 9 filing at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (Docket ID: 4220-TE-106)
“The company believes the pilot will lower upfront costs for participants, and provide a positive customer experience, through customized combinations of resiliency service assets that meet customers’ specific resiliency and reliability needs,” NSP said.
Program fills customer’s resilience needs