In December 2017, a steering committee constituted in the wake of Hurricane Maria that devastated Puerto Rico wrote a report, "Build Back Better: Reimagining and Strengthening the Power Grid of Puerto Rico," for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York, G…
Tag: Opinion & Commentary
3 Decentralizing Trends: Empowering State Capitals, Consumers and the Capital Markets
Even as uncertainties loom, the outlook for clean energy technologies and business models is bright. We can pin this optimism in the concrete: Three decentralizing trends are empowering state capitals, consumers, and the capital markets to lead the way…
Of Venomous Toads and Precious Jewels — Farewell 2017!
When Shakespeare’s Duke in As You Like It is deposed and forced into exile by his wicked brother, losing everything and living rough in the woods, he fears all is lost. But he soon sees unexpected blessings. So too do we in the year now endin…
Top Seven Clean Energy Actions in 2017 — Ringing Out the Old Year and into 2018
2017 was a whirlwind of energy market records, policies, and reports. And here’s my list of the big seven areas of note.
US Grid Needs to Go on a Diet to Get Leaner and Greener
Many regions of the U.S. have overbuilt and retained too many power plants, which can be detrimental to their owners, consumers, clean alternatives like wind and solar power, and flexible resources like energy storage and demand response…
Six Natural Resource Projects in Canada That Got it Right in 2017
We’ve gathered a list of some of the projects we want to fist-bump this year. We’re not suggesting they’re perfect; any large extractive project comes with an environmental cost. But these are projects that rise above the rest in their efforts to minim…
The Year Renewables Became Mainstream in Australia
South Australia’s lithium-ion battery grabbed the headlines in 2017, first when Elon Musk announced he’d build the world’s largest battery in 100 days or it would be free, then again when he accomplished it, and yet again when the battery rea…
Top 5 State Legislative Issues of 2017
With another year behind us, it is time to take a look in the rearview mirror at the year that was for the advanced energy industry. Our annual review of the top state legislative issues tells a story of policy progress for a myriad of advanced energy …
Listen Up: A Journey from Solar Thermal to Integrated Battery Storage
Please join us on this week’s Energy Show for Jeff Brown’s candid insights into the factors that are reducing the benefits of rooftop solar — which then are leading to the next phase (spoiler alert: energy storage) of the rooftop solar i…
Higher Education and Solar Energy: A Partnership Whose Time Has Come
Whether public or private, institutions of higher education have developed with a mission to serve society and the greater good. Our youth attend colleges and universities to learn, grow and develop as they prepare for adulthood, facing the world’s cha…
‘Build Back Better’ in Puerto Rico — Microgrids Treated Shoddily
In December 2017, a steering committee constituted in the wake of Hurricane Maria that devastated Puerto Rico wrote a report, "Build Back Better: Reimagining and Strengthening the Power Grid of Puerto Rico," for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York, G…
Juliana v US: For Children of All Ages — Part Two
In part one of this article, I took a closer look at the oral arguments in the latest episode of Juliana v. United States, and identified two questions that were raised during the orals that bear further consideration.
Juliana v US: For Children of All Ages — Part One
Through the magic of YouTube TV, I was able to sit in on the oral arguments in the latest episode of Juliana v. United States. The lawsuit is being brought by 21 plaintiffs ranging in age from 10 to 21. It accuses the federal government of ca…
Listen Up: The Economics of Commercial Energy Storage Systems
There is no doubt in my mind that energy storage systems will be as ubiquitous as solar — in all market segments. Utility companies are installing these systems to balance their intermittent demand and generation of electricity.
Workshops Aim to Train Architects, Engineers on Solar Basics
While training opportunities abound for installers, a series of workshops in three southern U.S. cities aims to bring architects and other design professionals up to speed on solar.
South Australian Government to Be Powered by Solar, Wind
New electricity retailer SIMEC ZEN Energy has won the contract to supply the South Australian Government until at least 2020. Under the contract, SIMEC ZEN Energy will supply more than 80 percent of the government’s electricity needs in 2018….
Global Wind Energy Insight: Work Harder, Be Smarter in 2018
2017 has been yet another tumultuous year. Cratering prices for wind and solar. The South African stand-off at the OK corral continues. The Indian market drops through the floor as procurement schemes change. On the bright side, wind and solar are hail…
3 Things Companies Can Do in 2018 to Push Global Climate Action
Companies stepped up on climate change in 2017. In 2018, they need to bring countries with them. It is fantastic that there are now more than 300 companies committed to set science-based targets to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse g…
Three Reasons to Remain Hopeful for More Clean Energy Investment in Cuba
2017 has been an eventful year for Cuba. Two major hurdles took place that would potentially jeopardize clean energy investment on the island. The first is Donald Trump’s reversal of Barack Obama’s historic diplomatic and commercial opening to the isla…
Eight Great Women in the Business and Science of Solar
It has been a long, long, long road for the global photovoltaic industry and its participants from its early days with few manufacturers and support primarily limited to oil companies looking for a feel-good business unit to what seemed like its overni…