September 11, 2019
Photo: WAMUDOMINION LAUNCHES ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS INITIATIVE, AIMS FOR 100% ELECTRIC FLEET IN VIRGINIA TERRITORY BY 2030
Dominion Energy has unveiled the largest electric school bus initiative in the country. The initiative aims to replace all diesel school buses in Dominion’s Virginia service territory with electric buses.
When they are not needed for transportation, the new buses’ batteries will be able to provide enough energy back to the grid during peak demand “to power more than 10,000 homes,” Dominion said in a statement.
Dominion’s goal is to have 50 operational buses in the state by the end of 2020, 1,000 by 2025, and 100% electric buses by 2030.
Since operating and maintenance costs are lower with electric school buses, the utility predicts that the implementation of this initiative could provide a 60% annual cost reduction for Virginia school districts.
Photo: Solar Power WorldRECORD U.S. RESIDENTIAL STORAGE DEPLOYMENT, BUT OVERALL OUTLOOK FALLS
The U.S. deployed a record amount of residential energy storage in the second quarter of 2019, a 41% quarter-over-quarter increase, according to the latest U.S. Energy Storage Monitor from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and the Energy Storage Association (ESA).
The analysis cited rising customer interest and incentives in more states as contributing factors for this increase. However, the overall U.S. energy storage outlook for 2019 fell to 478 megawatts, due to weaker-than-expected mid-year numbers in some behind-the-meter markets and front-of-the-meter project delays.
Yesterday, ACORE participated in a #StorageITC Day of Action on social media, a national call for a federal investment tax credit (ITC) for energy storage. According to ESA, an energy storage ITC could result in “a 16% upside for the U.S. storage market.”
Photo: ACOREGAS PLANTS WILL GET CRUSHED BY WIND, SOLAR BY 2035, STUDY SAYS
By 2035, it will be more expensive to run 90% of gas plants currently being proposed in the U.S. than it will be to build new clean energy projects, according to a new Rocky Mountain Institute report.
The study, which looked at combinations of solar, wind, storage, efficiency, and demand response projects compared to the price of gas plants in their planning stages, marks a “historic tipping point.”
According to the analysis, a pivot to renewables and low-carbon energy alternatives could save consumers $29 billion over the next 20 years, while reducing carbon emissions by 100 million tons per year.
Photo: APCALIFORNIA LAW EXEMPTS WILDFIRE VICTIMS FROM SOLAR RULES
Starting next year, the state of California will require all newly constructed homes to have solar panels installed, becoming the first state in the country to do so.
However, because of the increased number of natural disasters in the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law that will temporarily exempt some California homeowners from this rule if they are rebuilding in an area where there has been a state of emergency declared.
The exemption will end in 2023.
NEW RESOURCESThe Q3 2019 U.S. Energy Storage Monitor is now available (Source: Wood Mackenzie)
Women and the Markets (Source: S&P Global)
The Growing Market for Clean Energy Portfolios (Source: Rocky Mountain Institute)
Energy Transition Outlook 2019 (Source: DNV GL)
Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2019 (Source: United Nations Environment Programme)
A high-resolution geospatial assessment of the rooftop solar photovoltaic potential in the European Union (Source: Science Direct)