News Archive at The Electricity Forum

Denmark's largest energy company to stop using coal by 2023

DONG Energy Coal-Free 2023 signals a decisive coal phase-out, accelerating offshore wind, biomass, and renewables adoption to drive sustainable energy, decarbonization, and cleaner power systems across Europe with lower emissions and resilient green infrastructure.

Key Points

A strategic commitment by DONG Energy to end coal use by 2023, shifting to biomass and offshore wind.

✅ Coal replaced with sustainable biomass at power stations

✅ Offshore wind capacity expanded to cut emissions

✅ Aligns with decarbonization and renewable energy targets

Danish energy company DONG Energy has announced that it will stop "all use of coal" by 2023. In an announcement on Thursday, the business – which describes itself as a world leader in offshore wind power – said that its decision was "a result of the company's vision to lead the way in the transformation to a sustainable energy system, illustrated by a Danish green electricity record that underscores progress, and to create a leading green energy company."

Coal consumption had been cut by 73 percent since 2006, DONG Energy said, and its power stations would replace coal with sustainable biomass. In 2016, two power stations had been converted to run on wood pellets and straw, similar to how the dirtiest power station switched to renewables, demonstrating feasibility, it added.

"When you look at climate change and air pollution from fossil fuel production, it is no longer some abstract discussion about a future threat to the planet, it is quite real," Henrik Poulsen, chief executive of DONG Energy, told CNBC on Thursday morning.

"This is something which is changing the lives of millions of people around the planet already today," he added.

Poulsen went on to say that DONG Energy's mission was "to be a leader in the transition to more sustainable energy systems, as countries move to phase out coal and nuclear policies, and that's also why we have today announced that we're going to be a coal free company by 2023."

Commenting on the broader picture, Poulsen said that some nations should "take a closer look at their long term energy mix and also look at the opportunities to more aggressively shift towards renewables, as renewables overtake coal and nuclear in Germany demonstrates, also in light of the cost of renewables having come down significantly just over the past couple of years."

DONG Energy reported its final results for 2016 on Thursday. Operating profit – earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortization – from ongoing operations, despite periods of extraordinarily low electricity prices in regional power markets, rose by 10.4 billion ($1.5 billion) Danish crowns in 2016 to 19.1 billion Danish crowns.

For Q4 2016, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization were 6.3 billion Danish crowns.

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Investments in European wind power hit $29.4 billion last year

European Wind Energy Investment 2016 saw €27.5bn financing, 12.5 GW installations, 153.7 GW capacity, 10.4% EU electricity demand, strong jobs and exports, but policy uncertainty beyond 2020 clouds renewables growth across the grid.

Key Points

EU wind in 2016: €27.5bn invested, 12.5 GW added, 153.7 GW total, 10.4% power, amid unclear post-2020 policy.

✅ 12.5 GW installed; Germany delivered 44% of EU additions.

✅ Total capacity reached 153.7 GW; 10.4% of EU electricity.

✅ €27.5bn finance, 330,000 jobs, exports up; post-2020 policy gaps.

Last year saw 27.5 billion euros ($29.4 billion) invested to finance the development of wind energy, including offshore wind, in Europe, a 5 percent increase compared to 2015, according to new figures from industry body WindEurope.

In total, 12.5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity was added across the European Union (EU) as part of record-breaking renewable growth worldwide and across regions – 3 percent less than installations in 2015 – with Germany installing 44 percent of the total.

Europe's total wind capacity is now 153.7 GW, WindEurope said, and wind power in 2016 generated nearly 300,000 GW hours, covering 10.4 percent of the EU's electricity demand.

"Wind energy is now a mainstream and essential part of Europe's electricity supply," Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, said in a news release.

"It is also a mature and significant industry in its own right, now providing 330,000 jobs and billions of euros of European exports," he added.

More recently, wind power grew despite COVID-19, reinforcing the sector's resilience.

Challenges for Europe's green surge remained, however.

"With all the talk about the transition to low-carbon, things should be looking good long-term for the wind industry in Europe," Dickson commented.

"But they're not. Government policy on energy across Europe is less clear and ambitious than it was a few years ago. Only 7 out of 28 EU Member States have targets and policies in place for renewables beyond 2020."

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FENGATE REACHES FINANCIAL CLOSE ON ACQUISITION OF 59.8 MWAC SAULT STE. MARIE SOLAR PORTFOLIO

Fengate Sault Ste. Marie Solar Acquisition delivers utility-scale renewable energy in Ontario, with 59.8 MWac fully contracted under IESO PPAs; Canadian Solar provides O&M, ensuring long-term revenue stability and strong infrastructure investment performance.

Key Points

A 59.8 MWac contracted Ontario solar portfolio from Canadian Solar with IESO PPAs and long-term O&M.

✅ 59.8 MWac utility-scale solar across Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

✅ Fully contracted under IESO RESOP PPAs, ~15 years remaining

✅ CSI to operate via long-term O&M, on-site technicians

Fengate Real Asset Investments announced that it has reached financial close on the acquisition of three operating, fully-contracted solar assets from Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI). The solar farms are located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and have a combined capacity of 59.8 MWac, representing Fengate's largest power investment to date. The acquisition was made on behalf of Fengate's investors.

"Fengate is very pleased to have reached financial close on this significant transaction," said George Theodoropoulos, Managing Director of Infrastructure for North America, "This investment delivers on Fengate's strategy to provide long-term revenue stability for its investors and builds on Fengate's existing, robust portfolio of renewable energy projects."

The Sault Ste. Marie solar assets achieved their commercial operations date (COD) between 2010 and 2011, giving them more than five years of operational history. They are fully-contracted with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) under five, long-term Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP) Power Purchase Agreements, with an average remaining life of approximately 15 years. CSI will continue to operate the assets on behalf of Fengate as part of a long-term operating and maintenance agreement and will provide on-site technicians who have historical knowledge of the projects.

"The Sault St. Marie solar portfolio is fully-contracted with a strong operating record," stated Theodoropoulos. "Fengate and its investors will benefit from this new relationship with CSI, an experienced and reputable developer and operator that has extensive knowledge of the solar industry."

The investment in the Sault Ste. Marie solar assets brings Fengate's installed ground-mount, utility-scale solar capacity in Ontario to 105 MWdc, strengthening the firm's infrastructure business in the power sector. Fengate's renewable energy portfolio includes solar, wind, hydro and biomass projects in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

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CEA Deepens Electricity Cooperation with Mexico

CEA-AME Memorandum of Understanding strengthens North American electricity integration through cross-border interconnection, regulatory cooperation, grid security strategies, climate action, and investment, enhancing reliability, sustainability, and affordability across generation, transmission, and distribution sectors.

Key Points

An agreement to deepen North American grid integration through interconnection, security cooperation, and climate action.

✅ Cross-border grid interconnection and market integration

✅ Regulatory and security cooperation for reliability

✅ Climate action and investment opportunities in power sector

While in Mexico as part of a Canadian energy and mining trade delegation led by federal Natural Resources Minister, the Hon. Jim Carr, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Asociaciόn Mexicana de Energia (AME), reflecting broader calls for a stronger U.S.-Canada energy partnership across North America.

The agreement, signed by the Hon. Sergio Marchi, President and CEO of CEA, and Jamie de la Rosa, President of the AME, will deepen the two associations’ collaboration on issues of shared importance such as physical interconnections, regulatory frameworks, security strategies and climate change action, as well as provide an avenue to explore business and investment opportunities amid growing support for Canadian energy projects across the region.

“CEA very much looks forward to working with AME to increase the integration of our North American energy system and continuously improve the reliability, sustainability and affordability of our electricity network, including initiatives like an Ontario-Quebec energy swap that help with electricity demands,” said Marchi. “We face global and regional challenges that require international partnerships, in an effort to develop joint solutions and build the clean energy systems required to power the economy of tomorrow.”

This agreement, in conjunction with CEA’s existing relationships with U.S. electricity trade associations, will facilitate continent wide collaboration in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, reflecting rising U.S. demand for Canadian green power across the grid.

For a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding please visit the Canadian Electricity Association’s website.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Selects OSI Technology for Advanced Situational Awareness

OSI Landscape Situational Awareness delivers decision support with grid analytics, SCADA integration, real-time dashboards, and mobile visualization to boost utility operations, reliability, and resilience across transmission and distribution networks in complex environments.

Key Points

A configurable decision support platform fusing analytics, visualization, and SCADA data to enhance grid operations.

✅ Tailors to utility objectives across transmission and distribution

✅ Integrates SCADA, EMS/DMS data for unified situational views

✅ Supports large-format mapboards, dashboards, and mobile

Open Systems International, Inc. (OSI) has been selected by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (a Nalcor company) to supply a new Enhanced Situational Awareness (ESA) system based on the OSI Landscape™ Situational Awareness platform and advanced User Interface. This system will improve the company’s operational effectiveness in complex and dynamic operational environments.

OSI's Advanced Visualizations and Situational Awareness system, OSI Landscape, is a decision support product that can be tailored to the specific operational and business objectives of any utility company. It combines data mining, mathematical analysis, and advanced visualization techniques to concisely and intuitively present critical system operators with the state of the power grid. Landscape can present data on large-format display mapboard systems, as well as supported corporate dashboards and mobile devices.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is the primary generator of electricity in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company has an installed generating capacity of 1,792 megawatts and maintains thousands of kilometers of transmission and distribution lines. Over 80 percent of the energy generated is clean, hydroelectric generation. Hydro sells its power to distribution utility, industrial, residential, and commercial customers in over 200 communities across the province. The company is committed to operational excellence while delivering safe, reliable, least-cost electricity, where energy-efficiency programs can play a role.

Nalcor Energy (www.nalcorenergy.com) has a foundation rooted in the generation and transmission of electrical power, comparable to peers like Ontario Power Generation in Canada. This foundation is linked to a strong commitment to provide safe, reliable, and dependable electricity to utility, industrial, residential, and retail customers. Nalcor operations include Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, and Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation Limited.

Open Systems International (www.osii.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides open, state-of-the-art and high-performance automation solutions to utilities worldwide. These solutions include Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Network Management Systems (NMS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Distribution Management Systems (DMS), Outage Management Systems (OMS), Generation Management Systems (GMS), Substation Automation (SA) Systems, Data Warehousing (Historian) Analytics, Situational Awareness Systems, individual software and hardware products, and Smart Grid solutions for utility operations. OSI’s solutions empower its users to meet their operational challenges, day-in and day-out, with unsurpassed reliability and a minimal cost of technology ownership and maintenance.

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Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA announce venue for Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018

Solar Decathlon Middle East is hosted in Dubai at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with DEWA, showcasing clean energy, innovation, sustainable housing, and university teams aligned with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.

Key Points

A DEWA-led university challenge in Dubai to design, build, and operate solar-powered, energy-efficient homes.

✅ Hosted at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

✅ Supports Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targets

✅ DEWA and Supreme Council drive innovation and R&D

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and MD & CEO of DEWA, has announced that the Solar Decathlon Middle East will be organised at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The announcement was made at a press conference at the World Government Summit in Dubai, where DEWA is its sustainable partner. The conference was attended by HE Ahmed Buti Al Muhairibi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at DEWA, Marwan Bin Haider, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, officials from the Supreme Council and DEWA, and local and international media.

“It is my pleasure to announce the location of the Solar Decathlon Middle East, which is held for the first time in the Middle East and Africa, while we’re at the World Government Summit. DEWA is the sustainable partner of this summit, highlighting renewable initiatives as it has become a key forum from the UAE to the world to anticipate and shape the future,” said Al Tayer.

“Dubai’s hosting of the Solar Decathlon reflects its realisation that sustainable development is key to achieving a balance between development and sustainability. This balance will help protect the rights of future generations to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. This also reflects Dubai’s commitment to invest in innovation, which is one of the main priorities of the UAE. Our wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopt innovation as an approach to finding solutions to future challenges. This long-term vision has resulted in the UAE achieving first place in the Arab World in the Global Innovation Index 2016, which measured the performance of 128 countries and economies in innovation. The UAE was also ranked first regionally and 16th globally in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2016,” he added.

“Hosting this competition in Dubai underlines the efforts of the Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to increase the share of clean energy in the energy mix, including planned solar hydrogen production initiatives in Dubai, so clean energy will generate 7% of Dubai’s total power output by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050. This also emphasises DEWA’s commitment to consolidate Dubai’s status as a place that encourages innovation, incubates creativity, and supports the UAE National Innovation Strategy and the Dubai Innovation Strategy. DEWA has developed an integrated strategy to stimulate and implement innovative ideas and creative suggestions, to promote research in energy, renewable energy, and water,” continued Al Tayer.

“The Solar Decathlon is a unique opportunity for university students to gain important experiences, implement the theories they learn, and demonstrate their skills and capabilities in innovation and design to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. It is also an opportunity for the public to watch the teams in action as they compete and challenge each other. Since opening the door for registration in this competition, it has attracted many university teams from all over the world. A total of 22 university teams from 16 countries have been shortlisted to the final stage of the Solar Decathlon. Qualified teams will design, build, and operate sustainable, cost-and-energy efficient models of solar-powered homes, with a focus on protecting the environment, and taking into consideration the climate conditions of the region,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park was selected to host the Solar Decathlon Middle East because it is one of the most important projects and key to developing the economy to support environmental sustainability and, through overseas outreach such as DEWA's China engagement to attract renewable firms, increase our supply of clean energy. The solar park is the largest single-site solar energy project in the world, based on the Independent Power Producer model. It will provide 25% of Dubai’s total power output by 2030, producing 5,000MW by 2030 and will help reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. An area of approximately 60,000 square metres has been allocated to the Solar Decathlon at the solar park.

“Hosting two consecutive competitions of the Solar Decathlon Middle East with cash prizes of 10 million dirhams, and aligning with regional renewable funding initiatives, will achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who once observed that, ‘Every investment in the development of clean energy sources is at the same time an investment to protect the environment for future generations.’” Said Al Tayer.

“I thank the university teams who are taking part in the solar decathlon, and also all the teams that sent their applications but did not make it to the final stage. I am confident that the designs the teams will present in November 2018 will be significant additions for innovative models that can be implemented in smart homes, to contribute to the conservation and sustainability of natural resources, for generations to come,” concluded Al Tayer.

The Solar Decathlon Middle East was created through an agreement between both the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA, and the U.S. Department of Energy on clean energy innovation. Dubai will host two rounds of this distinguished competition. First in 2018 and then in 2020 to coincide with World Expo 2020 in Dubai, whose theme 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ fits well with this distinguished competition.

The teams that have qualified to the final stage of the first Solar Decathlon Middle East include the University of Sharjah, the American University in Dubai, Ajman University of Science & Technology, the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the Petroleum Institute from the UAE. It also includes King Saud University from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar University from Qatar, Dhofar University in Oman, the University of Jordan from Jordan, Virginia Tech from the USA, the University of Bordeaux from France, Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, the University of Wollongong in Australia, Gabriele D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara and Sapienza University of Rome from Italy, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism from Romania, Islamic Science University of Malaysia from Malaysia, National Chiao Tung University from Taiwan, National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, and the University of Belgrade of Serbia.

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HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer discusses future cooperation opportunities with Tesla during the World Government Summit 2017

DEWA-Tesla Clean Energy Partnership drives renewable energy, energy storage, smart grid innovation, and EV charging in Dubai, aligning with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

Key Points

A collaboration to scale renewables, storage and EV charging in Dubai, advancing the city's clean energy goals.

✅ Focus on renewables, storage, smart grids, and EV charging

✅ Supports Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targets

✅ Leverages Shams Dubai and Green Charger initiatives

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) discussed future cooperation opportunities with Elon Musk, Founder and CEO of Tesla, the American company specialised in electric vehicles and energy storage, including its UK expansion plans under Tesla Electric. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the second day of the World Government Summit 2017. Also in attendance were Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Business Development and Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA.

Al Tayer discussed ways to enhance collaboration and exchange experiences with Tesla in renewable and clean energy, environmental sustainability and innovation, including trends in solar and home battery pricing that influence deployment. Al Tayer briefed the delegation on DEWA’s most prominent developmental projects and strategic initiatives, aiming to achieve Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy by providing 7% of Dubai total energy output from clean resources by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050.

Al Tayer highlighted the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar project in the world, with total capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030, and total investments worth AED 50 billion, in addition to the smart grid programmes and plans worth AED 7 billion covering generation, transmission and distribution systems, through 11 programmes to be completed by 2020, contributing to enhancing demand side management, energy efficiency and operational processes, amid insights into the impact of EVs on utilities for future planning.

Al Tayer also highlighted the Shams Dubai initiative that DEWA launched in March 2014 as part of its efforts to achieve the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai the smartest city in the world. The Shams Dubai initiative encourages customers to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity from solar power. The electricity is used on-site and the surplus is exported to DEWA’s network. An offset between exported and imported electricity is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset. Through the Green Charger initiative, DEWA aims to install and manage the required infrastructure to supply cars with electric power, to decrease air pollution caused by transport sector and preserve the environment. In 2015, DEWA completed the installation of 100 charging stations in various areas of Dubai, such as malls, airports, commercial buildings, residential complexes, and petrol stations, while developments like charging network expansion in NYC highlight global momentum. DEWA is working in cooperation with its partners to increase the use of electric and hybrid cars in the near future. The second stage of the initiative will include installing more electric vehicle charging stations depending on customer intake, usage, and driving patterns.

Musk praised DEWA’s efforts, and emphasised his interest in sharing information and exchanging experiences, as seen in projects like the Delhi energy storage demonstration, to contribute towards Dubai’s sustainable growth.

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The Evolution of Wind Power in 2016

2016 Global Wind Power Growth highlights GWEC and Greenbyte data on installed capacity, renewable energy trends, and turbine markets across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, with China, Germany, and USA leading additions in MW.

Key Points

An overview of worldwide wind capacity expansion in 2016, using GWEC and Greenbyte data on markets, MW, and growth.

✅ China added 23,328 MW; Germany passed 50 GW installed capacity.

✅ Asia, Europe, and Latin America showed strong capacity growth.

✅ GWEC and Greenbyte map tracks 1981-2017 cumulative installs.

The figures are in and it is safe to say that 2016 was a stellar year for the wind industry, as this record year for renewables analysis highlights. The Evolution of Wind Power is the result from a cooperation between The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and renewable energy software company Greenbyte. The interactive map reveals the cumulative installed capacity per country, continent and the world between 1981-2017. Let’s take a closer look at the figures and see what has happened in the past twelve months.

Last year again, China hit the ground running with 23,328 MW added wind power capacity in 2016. With 168,690 MW installed capacity, China remains the world’s largest regional market for new wind power development.

An Asian newcomer on the map this year is Pakistan which almost doubled its installed wind power capacity in 2016 to 591 MW. Another fast-moving Asian is South Korea – with a 19% increase from last year to 1,031 MW installed wind power capacity the country is now the fourth biggest wind power nation in Asia, and the sector has continued to expand despite Covid-19 impacts in later years.

France had an excellent year in 2015 with 1073 MW installed and still managed to double its growth in 2016 to nearly 12 GW of super-clean wind energy in total, amid rising European wind investment across the region. ~1000 kilometers south of France, South Africa also had wind in its sails last year, reaching 1471 MW of installed capacity, i.e. a 28% increase from 2015.

2016 was also a great year for Latin America; Brazil kept its impressive and steady growth with more than 2 GW installed, totaling 10,740 MW and Chile’s and Uruguay’s respective installed wind power capacity grew more than 30%, as global renewable power was on course to shatter more records overall.

Established wind power nations Germany and USA have kept a steady growth with 10% new capacity added in 2016 respectively, and in the US wind became the most-used renewable source as capacity continued to expand. Notable in 2016, Germany crossed the 50 GW mark in installed wind power capacity.

Other countries that experienced significant growth in installed wind power capacity last year were Chile up 34,5% to 1424 MW, Uruguay up 30% to 1210 MW and Peru up 39% to 241 MW, Turkey up 23% to 6081 MW and Netherlands up 20,5% to 4328 MW.

Greenbyte strives to make renewable energy production more abundant, more efficient and more available for future generations worldwide. We provide a cloud based software platform to developers, owners and operators of wind turbines that give valuable insight to increase power output. Our products are offered as Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that is quick to implement and easy to learn for managers, analysts and technical staff.

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El Paso Electric Files 2017 Texas Rate Case

El Paso Electric 2017 Texas rate case seeks a $42.5 million non-fuel base revenue increase via PUCT, raising residential bills and funding Montana Power Station, plus a DG rate class with a monthly demand charge.

Key Points

PUCT filing to raise non-fuel base revenues by $42.5M, adjust residential rates, and recover MPS and grid costs.

✅ $8.25/month average increase at 635 kWh usage

✅ Surcharge or refund after PUCT final order

✅ New DG rate class with a monthly demand charge

El Paso Electric Company (NYSE: EE) filed with the City of El Paso, other municipalities incorporated in its Texas service territory, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) a request for an increase in non-fuel base revenues of approximately $42.5 million. Under the proposed rates, a residential customer using 635 kilowatt-hours per month will see an average electricity price increase of $8.25 per month when new rates are implemented. The new rates will relate back for consumption on and after July 18, 2017, which is the 155th day after the filing of the rate case. The difference in rates that would have been billed will be surcharged or refunded to customers after the PUCT's final order.

“As we’ve previously indicated, the 2017 rate case is needed to recover the costs to complete the Montana Power Station (MPS) and other investments to meet our customers’ growing needs. We’ve worked hard to modernize our aging local generation fleet and promote solar and other clean energy technologies our customers want, all while providing safe, reliable and affordable service,” said Mary Kipp, El Paso Electric CEO. “We spend a lot of time planning how to best meet the demands created by the continued growth of our region and these latest investments will benefit our customers well into the future.”

Since March 31, 2015, the end of the test year in the Company’s 2015 Texas Rate Case, the Company has invested approximately $444.3 million in new plant. Approximately $151.3 million was invested in MPS Units 3 and 4 and the related common plant to keep pace with load growth and to maintain reliable service for customers amid winter reliability concerns across Texas. These new units enhance operational flexibility due to their quick-start and cycling capabilities, as well as the ability to quickly respond to load variations. This last capability is critical as the Company and its customers expand the amount of renewable resources connected to the grid locally. The remainder of the investment is comprised of $139.8 million in new transmission and distribution facilities, $59.4 million of Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station plant, $50.3 million in existing local generation, and $43.5 million in general and intangible and other plant.

Similar to its 2015 rate case, the Company is again proposing the creation of a Residential Distributed Generation (“DG”) rate class for residential customers with DG facilities, such as private rooftop solar panels, in order to reflect the unique service characteristics and cost of service for this group of customers. Consistent with its treatment of other rate groups, the Company is proposing to assign the full cost of service to the new rate group, and is also proposing to implement a new rate structure including a monthly demand charge to recover the cost of grid-related services.

“It is important to establish a fair rate structure that reflects the cost to serve each customer class,” said Kipp. “As technologies evolve and our customers’ needs change, we must also evolve to provide programs and rate structures that allow us to provide safe and reliable service at a price that is fair to all our customers.”

In a simultaneous process, the Company filed the rate case with the City of El Paso, municipalities in its Texas service territory, and the PUCT. The PUCT will refer the case to the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings, in the Texas electricity market context, which will then appoint an administrative law judge to adjudicate the case.

The cities and towns in the Company’s Texas service territory maintain their right to regulate this rate case process and make a decision on rates within their city limits. Their decisions can be appealed to the PUCT, which has appellate jurisdiction over the cities’ and towns’ decisions and original jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas of the Company’s Texas service territory. Any municipality can participate in the proceeding before the PUCT as an intervening party in Austin.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the 2017 Texas Rate Case with investors and analysts is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time, on February 14, 2017. The dial-in number is 888-240-0263 with a conference ID number of 6856315. The international dial-in number is 913-312-1480. The conference leader will be Lisa Budtke, Director of Treasury Services and Investor Relations. A replay will run through February 28, 2017 with a dial-in number of 888-203-1112 and a conference ID number of 6856315. The replay international dial-in number is 719-457-0820. The conference call and presentation slides will be webcast live on the Company's website found at http://www.epelectric.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call.

El Paso Electric is a regional electric utility providing generation, transmission and distribution service to approximately 400,000 retail and wholesale customers in a 10,000 square mile area of the Rio Grande valley in west Texas and southern New Mexico, as electrification accelerates nationwide. El Paso Electric’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EE.

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Quebec government and Cascades invest in two energy efficiency projects

Cascades Cabano Energy Efficiency Projects will cut heavy-fuel oil use, upgrade biomass boilers, and lower GHG emissions in Quebec, advancing sustainable development, carbon market goals, and cleaner industrial energy performance.

Key Points

Quebec-backed upgrades to biomass boilers at Cascades Cabano to reduce heavy-fuel oil and GHG emissions.

✅ $11.3M total, $5.2M Quebec aid, $6.1M Cascades

✅ Biomass boiler upgrades improve uptime and efficiency

✅ Annual GHG cuts equal to 4,000 light-duty vehicles

With two major projects at its Cabano plant supported by the Quebec government, Cascades will significantly decrease its heavy-fuel oil consumption. These investments will result in an annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in line with the federal coal plan and broader decarbonization efforts, equivalent to taking 4,000 light duty vehicles off the road!

Ministers Pierre Arcand and Jean D’Amour, and Cascades President and Chief Executive Officer Mario Plourde, have confirmed that the two energy efficiency projects represent a total investment of $11.3 million in the Cascades Containerboard Packaging–Cabano plant. The government of Quebec will contribute financial aid in the amount of $5.2 million for the two projects, while Cascades will invest $6.1 million, even as other provinces pursue electricity rate strategies to manage costs.

The projects consist in modifying two residual forest biomass boilers. One will be upgraded with automated controls. The second, more ambitious project involves installing a new combustion chamber and combustion air preheater to the other boiler. These projects will allow the plant to improve boiler operating time and efficiency while limiting the use of another boiler that consumes heavy-fuel oil.

“For many years, Cascades has been taking responsible steps in the area of energy efficiency. We can be proud of this Quebec business for rolling up its sleeves and unreservedly participating in the energy transition toward clean energy partnerships, which has been in full swing since our ambitious 2030 Energy Policy was released. This transition not only allows us to improve our quality of life and protect the environment, but also develops and modernizes Quebec’s economy,” said Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Northern Plan and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region.

“Projects like the ones announced today are part of a long list of environmental initiatives that have made Cascades a leader in sustainable development. This investment will allow us to reduce our ecological footprint and even further improve our energy performance. Thanks to our employees’ efforts and ingenuity, Cascades already consumes 2.7% less energy than the Canadian average to manufacture the same products,” added Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades.

“With these two new energy efficiency projects, Cascades once again proves it is possible to combine environmental responsibility and economic development—objectives that are perfectly aligned with our government’s directions and with Hydro-Québec’s evolving role in continental markets. I am proud to see that Quebec companies are getting involved in the energy transition, to the benefit of all Quebecers!” said Jean D’Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

“Thanks to the Green Fund, whose revenues mainly come from the carbon market via the Western Climate Initiative framework, the government is supporting Quebec businesses in their transition toward a more carbon‑constrained world. In addition to contributing to the modernization and sustainable development of our economy, this concrete measure, which ties into our 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan, allows us to fight climate change together, for a better future for our children. Let’s do this for them!” added David Heurtel Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change.

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Tacoma Public Utilities Adopts OSI Technology for an Advanced Energy Management System

Tacoma Power EMS Upgrade delivers OSI monarch platform with advanced SCADA, .NET GUI, ICCP, AGC, transmission security analysis, real-time trending, and enterprise integration for the hydroelectric utility, boosting situational awareness, reliability, and grid operations.

Key Points

An OSI monarch-based EMS replacing ABB, with SCADA, .NET GUI, ICCP, AGC, and security analysis for Tacoma Power.

✅ Replaces legacy ABB EMS with OSI monarch platform

✅ Enhances SCADA, AGC, ICCP, and network security analysis

✅ Integrates .NET GUI, trending, and enterprise web services

Open Systems International, Inc. (OSI) has been selected by Tacoma Public Utilities (mytpu.org) to supply a state-of-the-art Energy Management System (EMS), similar to a centralized SCADA deployment at Prairie Power, based on OSI's monarch (Multi-platform Open Network ARCHitecture) platform. This will replace Tacoma's legacy ABB system.

A publicly owned utility, Tacoma Power provides electricity to Tacoma, Washington and the surrounding areas, serving more than 160,000 customers. It draws 90 percent of its power from hydroelectric generation, a model also seen at Ontario Power Generation in Canada.

This new EMS system includes OSI's next-generation, .NET-based Graphical User Interface (GUI); advanced SCADA functionality; Real-time and Historical Trending; Load Shed and Restoration; Communications Front-end Processor; Inter-control Center Communications Protocol; Chronus™ Historical Information System and Data Archiving; Automatic Generation Control and Dispatch; Transaction Management System; Transmission Network Security Analysis and situational awareness features for grid operators; Operator Training Simulator, with considerations for operator lockdown contingencies during emergencies; and OSI Enterprise Integration Platform via Web Services.

Open Systems International (osii.com)—headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota—provides open, state-of-the-art and high-performance automation solutions to utilities worldwide. These solutions include Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Network Management Systems (NMS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Distribution Management Systems (DMS), Outage Management Systems (OMS), Generation Management Systems (GMS), Substation Automation (SA) Systems, Data Warehousing (Historian) Analytics, Situational Awareness Systems, individual software and hardware products, and Smart Grid solutions that support energy-efficiency programs across jurisdictions for utility operations. OSI’s solutions empower its users to meet their operational challenges, day-in and day-out, with unsurpassed reliability and a minimal cost of technology ownership and maintenance.

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Power Producers Oppose Legislation Helping Millstone Nuclear Plant

Millstone Nuclear Legislation faces opposition from Calpine, Dynegy, NRG, and EPSA, as Connecticut debates market access, ratepayer impacts, renewable and low-carbon procurement, and Dominion transparency amid low natural gas and power prices.

Key Points

A Connecticut plan to expand Millstone's market access while balancing ratepayer costs, competition and low carbon goals.

✅ Guarantees market access via low-carbon procurement process

✅ Raises concerns over rates, competition, and transparency

✅ Positions nuclear alongside renewables in Connecticut policy

Power producers are set to announce Tuesday their opposition to legislation that would guarantee markets for the Millstone nuclear plant, calling it special treatment for one energy source in Connecticut.

Legislation has yet to be drafted, but it could follow a measure that failed last year, proposing to boost Millstone's access to electricity markets amid a broader market overhaul in Connecticut that lawmakers are weighing.

Calpine Corp., Dynegy, NRG Energy and the Electric Power Supply Association say state assistance to Millstone could drive up energy costs for businesses and residents, echoing arguments that in deregulated electricity markets subsidies are unnecessary and distortive, the companies and trade association say the legislature should require Dominion Resources Inc., Millstone's parent company, to make public its financial records to prove it needs a change in state law.

"This legislation would carve out a significant part of the market in the region for one company under different terms than anything we could hope for," said John E. Shelk, president and chief executive officer of the Electric Power Supply Association.

Thomas F. Farrell II, chief executive officer of Dominion, told investor analysts on a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter earnings last week that power prices have been "under some pressure."

Referring to the possibility of favorable legislation, Dominion is "hopeful that things will improve there," he said.

Shelk said Farrell's comment is an admission that "this is all about the drag Millstone is having on the corporate parent."

"The Connecticut legislature has proposed a competitive process to reduce retail electric rates, and amid debates like ACORE's FERC filing on subsidy proposals state energy officials would determine whether it is in ratepayers' best interests," Dominion spokesman Kevin Hennessy said.

Several nuclear plants around the country, unable to compete with low natural gas prices, have shut, even as New England weighs transmission proposals like the Maine-Quebec transmission line to access lower-carbon power options.

"There was a trend and a very distressing trend," Reed, D-Branford, said at a public hearing last month.

The plan that failed last year would have allowed nuclear energy to participate in a competitive purchase of renewable or low-carbon electric power, including contentious imports such as the Northern Pass hydropower project that has stirred debate, in a process administered by the state. If Millstone were to be selected, it would be guaranteed a market as natural gas prices decline.

Dan Weekley, vice president of corporate affairs at Dominion, rejected a proposal that the company's financial records be opened for public inspection, saying any information would be irrelevant.

"What is in the customers' and the ultimate ratepayers' best interests?" he asked at the public hearing. "What is the best price for consumers?"

AARP Connecticut said it also will oppose Millstone legislation. A legislative proposal could reclassify power generated by the plant as renewable fuel, allowing Dominion to undercut the cost of other renewable fuels and receive a higher price for its power, AARP said.

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Amazon Wind Farm US East, Powered by Avangrid Renewables, North Carolina’s First Wind Farm, Now Fully Operational

Amazon Wind Farm US East delivers renewable energy in North Carolina, with 104 wind turbines by Avangrid Renewables at Desert Wind, powering AWS data centers and the grid while supporting Pasquotank and Perquimans communities.

Key Points

A 104-turbine, commercial-scale North Carolina wind farm delivering clean power to the grid for AWS data centers.

✅ 104 turbines power about 61,000 U.S. homes annually

✅ $1.1M yearly in taxes and land payments boost local economy

✅ 18-month build, 500 jobs; 17 on-site technicians operate daily

Spanning farm fields in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties, the Amazon Wind Farm US East, powered by Avangrid Renewables at Desert Wind, is now the first commercial-scale wind farm in North Carolina and one of the first in the southeastern United States. The facility reached full commercial operation this month and began delivering power in December 2016. It features 104 modern wind turbines that will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of approximately 61,000 U.S. homes each year, comparable to additions like TransAlta's 119 MW wind project in the U.S.

“We are delighted to add the Amazon Wind Farm US East to our growing portfolio of renewable power generation facilities, which are providing clean energy for companies and communities across the United States,” said James P. Torgerson, President and CEO of Avangrid Renewables’ parent company, AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). “We are committed to our vision of leading the transformation of the U.S. energy industry by developing, building and operating the clean energy infrastructure of the future.”

The 18-month construction put more than 30 North Carolina-based companies to work, featured a peak of more than 500 workers, and resulted in more than $18 million spent locally by Avangrid Renewables, mirroring economic boosts from Iowa wind farms across the heartland. The total of landowner payments and taxes will begin injecting more than $1.1 million into the local economy each year.

“Almost everyone in the community knows someone who worked on the wind farm, sold or rented something that helped build the wind farm, or owns land where the project was built,” said Cecil Perry, Chairman of the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners. “These jobs, and this nearly $400 million investment in a rural part of North Carolina, are welcome — everyone in the county will benefit from the long-term property tax payments.”

The wind farm’s daily operation comprises a permanent crew of 17 on-site technicians, led by U.S. Army veteran and North Carolina native Chris Long.

As the result of a contract with Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company, the energy generated will be delivered into the electrical grid that supplies both current and future AWS Cloud data centers. AWS has a long-term commitment to achieve 100% renewable energy usage for their global infrastructure footprint, supported by new renewable energy projects to power its cloud.

“At the close of 2016 we announced that AWS had achieved 40% renewable energy, with progress reflected in new clean energy projects announced in the US and UK, and set a new goal to achieve 50% by the end of 2017 in a continued march toward our long-term commitment of achieving 100% renewable energy usage for our global infrastructure footprint,” said Nat Sahlstrom, Director of AWS Energy Strategy. “We’re very excited that Amazon Wind Farm US East is live and delivering energy to the grid powering our current and future AWS data centers and are excited to continue to accelerate our work in this space.”

“Farms have been growing corn, soybeans, and wheat for a long time here, and the wind farm revenue means a lot of families are protected from pricing swings, floods or droughts going forward,” said Horace Pritchard, one of nearly 60 landowners associated with the project. “We’re just adding another locally-grown crop to our fields, with very little ground taken out of production, and the improved roads really help with access, so it’s a great fit here.”

“Expanding the wind industry into North Carolina came about thanks in large part to collaboration with AWS, a supportive community, and improving technology, as projects like Enel's 450 MW wind farm demonstrate,” said Frank Burkhartsmeyer, Avangrid Renewables’ U.S. CEO. “Ultimately, a wind farm this size has to offer competitive energy and complement the existing use of the land, so the strong winds and farmland here made for a great match.”

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Utilities Try To Tilt Solar Energy Market In Their Favour

Indiana Solar Net Metering Bill reshapes utilities, renewable energy policy, grid credits, and community solar, altering reimbursement rates for residential and commercial installations and impacting Duke Energy, installers, and job growth statewide.

Key Points

A proposed Indiana law to cut net metering credits, shifting solar compensation to utilities, favoring community solar.

✅ Reduces reimbursement rates for excess solar sent to the grid

✅ Favors utility-controlled community solar over rooftop systems

✅ Threatens local installer jobs and slows renewable innovation

Indiana’s energy utilities want state lawmakers to pass a law that critics say would muscle out smaller companies from the emerging solar energy market.

Solar power provides only about 1% of the country’s energy, but the industry is growing rapidly, with figures showing it employed 208,859 workers in 2015. That amounts to a 125% increase since 2010, according to the US Department of Energy.

But much of the growth has been in residential and commercial installation, including homes and stores. That could eventually raise costs and eat away at the business of the big utilities, in Indiana they are Duke Energy, Vectren and Indiana Michigan Power, which have a powerful voice and donate handsomely to the political campaigns of lawmakers amid solar cash battles nationwide.

On Thursday, Indiana legislators will begin debating a proposed law that would eventually eliminate much of the financial benefit Indiana homeowners, businesses and even some churches currently reap harvesting the sun’s rays. It would tilt the market more in favour of the utilities, critics said.

Republican state Sen. Brandt Hershman’s bill would sharply curtail the benefits of a practice called net metering for solar panel owners, which enables them to feed excess energy into the power grid in exchange for a credit on their bill.

An amendment he is proposing would end the current way of doing things within five years and lock in a substantially lower rate of reimbursement for solar panel owners – a move that solar advocates say would make it difficult to break even during the useful life of a solar panel. Hershman says that could change as the technology becomes more efficient.

The measure comes as investor-owned utilities across the US are also looking to take advantage of the plunging costs of sun-generated power and carve out a share of the market for themselves.

“I have nothing against solar. I’m simply trying to reset the marketplace,” said Hershman, who says solar panel owners are reimbursed at a rate that gives them an unfair advantage.

But critics say it amounts to the utilities muscling out the small companies, potentially threatening the 1,500 jobs the Solar Foundation estimated in 2015 that the industry had created in Indiana alone.

“Utilities like solar if they can control those assets,” said Ryan Zaricki, who owns Whole Sun Designs, a solar panel installation company headquartered in Evansville. Zaricki, who employs five workers during busy months, said that if the bill passes “it means that, in the long term, I won’t have a business.”

Instead, utilities are starting to promote an alternative called “community solar.” The model involves customers agreeing to buy or lease solar panels from the utilities, part of a broader solar strategy in the South, on large panel farms.

Duke Energy Corp., the largest electricity company in the United States, this year plans to launch a “community solar” program in South Carolina and seek regulatory permission to do the same in North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky and Ohio, as well as Indiana, utility vice-president Melisa Johns said.

The proposed Indiana law comes after a number of other states including Michigan, where supporters push to end rooftop caps, Illinois and Iowa have adopted policies that would phase out net metering at a gentler pace, according to advocates. In Maine, Republican Gov. Paul LePage last year vetoed a bill that would have overhauled the state’s approach. Montana is also considering a range of bills that would alter its policy, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In Wyoming, a bill targeting clean energy for utilities has also surfaced, illustrating a markedly different policy direction.

Utilities say the current Indiana system of compensation is unfair because it requires them to pay solar panel owners for power at retail cost, which is more than it would cost them to produce the same amount of energy. They also stress that they own the infrastructure solar panel owners rely on to feed their excess power onto the grid and should be compensated for it.
“The simple logic for us is if you’re using it, you should pay for it,” said Mark Maassel, president of the Indiana Energy Association, which represents the state’s largest power utilities.

Jeffrey R. S. Brownson, a solar expert and engineering professor at Penn State University, says he has not seen data that suggests the small amount of solar energy generated in the US is unduly taxing on the power grid.

“This is very reactionary,” he said of Hershman’s bill. “It’s definitely going to stymie innovation and slow down job growth.”

In Indiana, It’s just the latest measure pushed by Republicans, who dominate the Statehouse, which would corner a market, or benefit longtime political allies and campaign donors.

A bill last week that would have effectively blocked electric car maker Tesla from selling in Indiana was overhauled after an outpouring of opposition. And last year lawmakers passed vaping industry regulations that created a monopoly for one security firm that became the sole gate keeper of who could manufacture and sell the nicotine-laced liquid consumed through vaping. GOP leaders pledged to “fix” the law this year after the FBI launched a probe.

Over the past three years Duke energy and its affiliated political committees have funneled $76,000 to state Senate members of both parties.

Hershman has collected $9,000 from the company since 2010, according to state campaign finance records.

The utilities also donated more than $1 million to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which helped finance trade missions former Gov. Mike Pence led to Canada, Germany, London, Israel and China in 2014 and 2015, according to records obtained through a public records request. The IEDC is a quasi-governmental state that regularly uses private donations to fund trips VIP trips for state officials.

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Company Fined $125K After Worker Fatally Electrocuted On The Job

Konecranes Canada Fine highlights an Ontario OHSA penalty after a fatal electrical shock on an industrial crane, underscoring workplace safety, lockout-tagout, Ministry of Labour enforcement, and compliance in Richmond Hill.

Key Points

It is the $125,000 OHSA penalty issued after a fatal 600-volt shock during industrial crane repair in Ontario.

✅ $125,000 fine plus 25% victim surcharge

✅ Breach: energy isolation and verification not followed

✅ Ministry of Labour cites OHSA and lockout-tagout failures

A Burlington, Ont.-based company that services industrial cranes has been fined $125,000 after a worker suffered a fatal electrical shock on the job.

The Ministry of Labour says Konecranes Canada Inc. pleaded guilty last week to a charge under the Occupation Health and Safety Act in connection with the 2015 incident.

The ministry says a worker and manager were working to repair a 20-ton overhead crane, where arc flash training can be critical, at Van-Rob Inc., an auto parts manufacturer in Richmond Hill, Ont., at the time.

It says that while using a scissor lift to reach the crane, the manager received an electrical shock, similar to a recent utility injury reported elsewhere, though circumstances differ. The crane’s power source is rated at 600 volts.

The ministry says the manager died in hospital.

It says an investigation found the workers did not follow the energy isolation and verification procedures laid out in the company’s safety manual, which constitutes a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and underscores the value of worker safety leadership in preventing incidents.

The court also imposed a 25% victim fine surcharge, which goes to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime, and as external investigators have noted in other utility cases, accountability can extend beyond fines.

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Prysmian UK to Develop the Land Cable Connections for the East Anglia ONE Offshore Wind Farm

East Anglia ONE Cable Installation delivers a 220 kV underground grid connection from Bawdsey landfall to Bramford substation, linking 102 offshore wind turbines and supplying renewable power to 500,000 UK homes.

Key Points

A 220 kV land cable system linking offshore turbines to the UK grid from Bawdsey to Bramford, powering 500,000 homes.

✅ 220 kV double-circuit underground route, approx. 37 km

✅ Connects 102 turbines to Bramford substation

✅ Designed, supplied, and installed by Prysmian Group

A 220 kV underground cable will link 102 turbines to the grid as wind leads the power mix to power 500,000 homes.

“We are proud to be involved in a world-leading project of this significance for the UK renewable energy sector,” said Llyr Roberts, Prysmian UK CEO.

Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, has secured a £ 27 million contract with East Anglia One Limited to supply and install the land cable connection for the East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm. Comprising of 102 turbines, the £ 2.5 billion wind farm will generate sufficient electricity to power 500,000 homes, as the UK offshore wind supply continues to ramp up across the country.

The contract involves the supply and installation of a 220 kV double circuit from the Bawdsey shore landing to a new substation in Bramford – covering a route of some 37 km, and complements new Channel cables projects in the UK energy network.

Prysmian is responsible for the system design, supply, installation and testing of the cables and their accessories. The underground high voltage cables will be manufactured by Prysmian and installed by its UK-based installation division, relying on the expertise of its technical design team.

The company has an excellent track record of installation works of this type in the UK, where Scottish tidal projects are also demonstrating results, including the land connection for the Gwynt y Môr wind farm in Wales and the Western Link DC land sections.

Pre-construction work is due to begin in early 2017, with the cable installation phase planned to take place from October 2017 to September 2018. During this time, in order to complete the project, as the most powerful tidal turbine starts pumping electricity to the grid, Prysmian will be employing a crew of approximately 50 people.

Llyr Roberts, Prysmian UK CEO said: “This is a highly significant project for Prysmian and it demonstrates again the breadth of our expertise, both in the manufacture of high voltage cable and in the technical expertise required by the design and installation. We are delighted to be involved in a world-leading project of this significance for the UK renewable energy sector.”

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Government Charges Up Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles

British Columbia Clean Energy Vehicle Program boosts zero-emission vehicles with EV incentives, hydrogen fuel cell rebates, SCRAP-IT savings, and charging infrastructure expansion to cut GHG emissions and support made-in-BC green technology and mobility.

Key Points

Provincial initiative funding EV incentives and infrastructure to expand zero-emission adoption and cut GHG emissions.

✅ Up to $5,000 BEV and $6,000 hydrogen fuel cell rebates

✅ $40M over three years for incentives and charging network

✅ SCRAP-IT stackable savings up to $11,000 on new EVs

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett today announced an investment of $40 million to encourage British Columbians to make the switch to zero-emission vehicles, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support investment in made-in-B.C. green energy solutions and technology.

“Zero-emission vehicles are clean, quiet and reliable, and help drivers reduce fuel and maintenance costs and tailpipe emissions, and are a growing economic sector in the province,” said Bennett. “Additional funding of $40 million for the Clean Energy Vehicle Program will help make zero-emission vehicles more affordable for British Columbians and build out EV charging infrastructure at residences, businesses and along our roads and highways to make sure there are places to charge them up.”

EV owners can also benefit from home and workplace charging rebates available across the province to expand access.

The funding for the Province’s Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program will be distributed over the next three years to support continued point-of-sale purchase incentives of up to $5,000 for battery electric vehicles and $6,000 for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. When combined with SCRAP-IT program incentives and EV charger rebates, total savings could be up to $11,000 for a new electric vehicle.

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DOE Announces $30 Million for Projects to Integrate Solar into Grid

SunShot ENERGISE Solar Grid Integration advances next-generation planning tools, data analytics, and forecasting to optimize distributed energy resources, enhance reliability and cybersecurity, and support electric vehicles and energy storage within a modernized, resilient electric grid.

Key Points

A DOE program funding tools to integrate solar and DERs, improving grid reliability and cybersecurity.

✅ Next-gen grid planning, forecasting, and control tools

✅ Data analytics for DER visibility and optimization

✅ Supports EVs, storage, and cybersecurity resilience

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy SunShot Initiative has announced up to $30 million in new projects to support the integration of solar energy into the nation’s electric grid, complementing DOE grid improvements underway, while diversifying the nation’s electricity sources and improving the reliability and security of the electric grid. SunShot will fund 13 projects with a total of up to $30 million to develop next-generation grid planning and operation tools that help to integrate more solar power with the grid.

“SunShot is working to lower the cost and complexity of integrating solar with the electric grid,” says SunShot Director Charlie Gay. “These projects give grid operators the tools to manage a modern electric grid, including synchrophasors for real-time visibility.”

SunShot selected 13 projects under the ENERGISE funding program to enable grid operators to access up-to-the-minute measurement and forecasting data from distributed energy sources and optimize system performance using sensor, communication, advanced inverters and data analytics technologies. These projects will help to improve the reliability of the nation’s energy grid by providing utilities with dynamic, automated and cost-effective management of solar and other distributed energy sources. These software and hardware solutions will be highly scalable, data-driven, and capable of fully optimizing system operation and planning.

As part of the Grid Modernization Initiative (GMI), these projects are designed to address not only solar power interconnecting with the grid at scale, but also other technologies like electric vehicles that interconnect with the grid. GMI is an accelerated, Department-wide effort to develop the concepts, tools, and technologies needed to measure, analyze, predict, protect, and control the grid of the future. Led by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, and EERE, GMI looks to solve challenges like integrating conventional and renewable sources with energy storage while ensuring that the grid is resilient and secure to withstand growing cybersecurity and energy challenges.

These projects build upon current and past research in grid integration technologies that support the widespread deployment of solar energy while maintaining the reliability of the electricity infrastructure and the electricity grid. The SunShot Initiative, which is managed by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is a collaborative national effort to drive down the cost of solar electricity and accelerate solar adoption.

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IWH’s OHS Vulnerability Measure Identifies Workers’ Risk Levels

IWH OHS Vulnerability Measure helps employers assess occupational health and safety risk, covering hazard exposure, workplace policies, worker awareness, and empowerment for injury prevention, compliance, and risk management across diverse worksites.

Key Points

An IWH tool measuring worker vulnerability across hazard exposure, OHS policies, awareness, and empowerment.

✅ Measures hazard exposure, policies, awareness, empowerment

✅ Flags OHS program gaps to reduce injury rates

✅ Free online tool for compliance, benchmarking, risk management

A free online resource from the Institute for Work & Health allows employers to measure workers’ vulnerability to occupational health and safety risks, aligning with federal electricity workforce initiatives that emphasize safe, prepared workplaces.

IWH’s OHS Vulnerability Measure assesses workers’ risk levels in the areas of hazard exposure, workplace policies and procedures, worker awareness of hazards, including knowledge gaps in electrical safety, and worker empowerment to take part in preventing injuries and illnesses.

The tool could be particularly timely, according to IWH. A recent study from the organization determined that workers who feel “vulnerable” to – or not adequately protected from – safety hazards report higher rates of occupational injuries, with examples like a Hydro One pole-replacement accident illustrating the consequences. Researchers surveyed about 1,500 Canadian workers and concluded that workers deemed “most vulnerable” were 3.5 times to 4.5 times more likely to report being injured than the “least vulnerable workers.”

Employers should look to control or eliminate hazards whenever possible, IWH states. However, the vulnerability measure could boost protections for workplaces where the hazard is difficult to eliminate, particularly during disruptions such as pandemic-related grid warnings that add operational pressures.

“The study suggests that IWH’s OHS Vulnerability Measure meaningfully assesses workplace hazards and OHS program shortcomings, particularly as more young Canadians consider electricity careers, that are associated with the frequency of work injuries and, if addressed, will likely result in fewer work-related injuries and illnesses down the road,” Morgan Lay, IWH research associate and lead author of the study, said in a press release. “In this respect, the measure can help to identify potential risk reduction strategies before work-related injuries and illnesses occur.”

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LARGE-SCALE ENERGY PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN NY

NYSERDA Renewable Energy Awards back 11 large-scale wind, solar, hydro, and fuel cell projects, advancing New York's Clean Energy Standard, adding 260 MW, leveraging private investment, and cutting carbon emissions under the state's REV strategy.

Key Points

State funding for wind, solar, hydro and fuel cells to expand renewables, add capacity, and cut carbon in New York.

✅ $360M supports 11 wind, solar, hydro, and fuel cell projects

✅ Adds over 260 MW toward Clean Energy Standard goals

✅ 20-year RECs at $24.24/MWh spur private investment

Reminder from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $360 million in awards for 11 large-scale renewable energy projects throughout the state in his State of the State yesterday. These projects provide strong support for the Clean Energy Standard that 50 percent of New York's electricity come from renewable energy sources by 2030, and complement the largest U.S. offshore wind farm initiative underway in the state.

The awards will leverage almost $1 billion in private sector investment for clean technology projects such as wind, solar, fuel cell and hydroelectric installations, and federal support like the DOE wind energy awards continues to spur progress across the sector. The projects are expected to generate enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 110,000 homes each year and reduce carbon emissions by more than 420,000 metric tons, equivalent to taking more than 88,000 cars off the road.

The 11 projects include two wind farms, one utility-scale solar farm, seven hydro projects, and one fuel cell project, as the state also begins offshore wind site investigations under the Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy. Once operational, these projects will add over 260 megawatts of clean, renewable energy for use in New York State.

Due to the robust response to the solicitation and the approval of the Clean Energy Standard, which calls for the development of renewable and clean energy sources under REV, as well as New York's early achievement of state solar goals milestone, the amount of the solicitation was increased $210 million, from $150 million to $360 million.

The 11 large-scale renewable energy projects include:

Capital Region

Hecate Energy Green County, Greene County: Hecate Energy LLC will build a 50 MW solar facility in Coxsackie.

Central New York

Fulton Unit 1, Oswego County: Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, will install a new 890 kW high-flow turbine-generator at a hydroelectric facility in Oswego County.
North Division Street Dam Hydroelectric Facility, Cayuga County: The City of Auburn will upgrade equipment, increase capacity and restore operation of the hydroelectric facility, resulting in a new capacity of 1.12 MW.

Mid-Hudson

Swinging Bridge, Sullivan County: Eagle Creek Hydro Power LLC will add 0.85 MW to an existing hydroelectric facility in the town of Lumberland, resulting in a total installed capacity of more than 7 MW.
Regen DG Project, Westchester County: Bloom Energy Corp. will install a 1.05 MW fuel cell at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown.

Mohawk Valley

Belfort Unit 3, Herkimer County: Brookfield Energy Marketing LP upgraded its existing facility in Beaver River with two modern high-efficiency runners, resulting in a total installed capacity of 2.4 MW.

North Country

Number Three Wind Farm, Lewis County: Invenergy Wind Development LLC will build a 105.8 MW wind farm in the towns of Lowville, Harrisburg and Denmark.
Glen Park, Jefferson County: Northbrook New York LLC, a subsidiary of Cube Hydro Partners, LLC: Upgraded equipment at existing hydroelectric facility, resulting in a total installed capacity of more than 32 MW.
Tannery Island Hydro, Jefferson County: Ampersand Tannery Island Hydro LLC installed and upgraded new equipment resulting in a total installed capacity of more than 1.8 MW.

Southern Tier

Eight Point Wind Energy Center, Steuben County: NextEra Energy Resources LLC will build a 101.2 MW wind farm in the towns of Greenwood, Troupsburg and West Union.

Western New York

Burt Dam Incremental Hydro, Niagara County: Ampersand Olcott Harbor Hydro LLC recently upgraded equipment resulting in a total installed capacity of 600 kW.

Support for these new projects is being provided by NYSERDA. The weighted average award price for this solicitation is $24.24 per megawatt hour of production over the 20-year terms of the awarded contracts.

John Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Large-scale renewables are a critical component in achieving Governor Cuomo's nation-leading energy goals of 50 percent renewable power by 2030 and a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the same time. These projects will provide renewables, aggressively reduce emissions and make energy more affordable for New Yorkers."

Audrey Zibelman, Public Service Commission Chair, said, "As a result of Governor Cuomo's nationally recognized Clean Energy Standard, New York will continue to attract billions of dollars in private investment for new renewable power supplies, developing new jobs and new choices for consumers. The projects announced today will bring significant benefits to consumers, including a cleaner environment and greater amounts of much-needed renewable energy resources."

These projects further New York's ambitious efforts, including contracts for 23 renewable projects statewide, to develop the clean energy infrastructure of tomorrow. NYSERDA's previous ten Main Tier solicitations for large-scale renewables have resulted in approximately 2,152 megawatts of new renewable capacity at 70 locations throughout the state, generating more than 5 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy every year. The power generated from these 70 projects is expected to provide enough clean power to supply over 825,000 homes per year, representing a total of $1.24 billion in investments in the Main Tier program.

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NYCEEC Brings the Battery to Brooklyn, Financing Energy Storage for a Low-Income Housing Microgrid

NYC Low-Income Housing Battery Microgrid pairs energy storage, lithium-ion batteries, solar and fuel cells with demand response and peak shaving, helping Con Edison reduce Brooklyn load, boost reliability, and provide resilient backup power.

Key Points

A DER at Marcus Garvey uses storage, solar, and fuel cells to cut peaks and costs and improve reliability.

✅ NYCEEC 10-year financing backs Demand Energy's Brooklyn system

✅ Lithium-ion storage with solar, fuel cells, and DEN.OS optimization

✅ Cuts peak demand, reduces costs, and boosts grid reliability

The New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation has made a 10-year project loan of more than $1 million to the energy storage company Demand Energy, bringing large-scale battery energy storage technology to a privately owned low-income housing development in Brooklyn, NY. Demand Energy’s lithium-ion battery system will be used to store power generated onsite by the Marcus Garvey housing complex’s solar panels and fuel cell systems—or lower-cost off-peak Con Edison power—dramatically reducing power demand when electricity is at its highest cost. It will be the first battery storage microgrid installation at a low-income property in greater New York.

The 625-unit Marcus Garvey Apartments, located in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, is owned by L+M Development Partners, a large owner/developer of low-income housing. L+M has already installed 400 kW of solar and committed to adding 400 kW of fuel-cell generating capacity as part of a major property renovation. The energy storage and distributed energy resources will be integrated into a microgrid managed by Demand Energy’s DEN.OSÔ software platform, reflecting a virtual power plant approach that will optimize the value of L+M’s energy generation investments. The system will cut power expenses, help keep the grid reliable and provide off-grid backup power for emergencies.

“Managing on-site generation and extracting value from the demand response market have made energy storage a smart, cost-effective choice,” said Brian Asparro, chief commercial officer for Demand Energy. “This software-controlled microgrid is exactly what building owners and Con Edison are looking to implement. NYCEEC’s innovative approach—non-recourse debt financing—made it possible.”

“Energy storage closes the loop with energy efficiency and clean, localized generation, and helps encourage their adoption,” said Posie Constable, NYCEEC’s head of business development. “That’s why NYCEEC has designed a loan product to encourage energy storage projects.”

The installation will more than pay for itself through incentives from Con Edison’s Brooklyn Queens Neighborhood Program (formerly BQDM) initiative, and from ongoing revenue generated through participation in demand response and peak shaving power programs. To avoid building new capacity at a cost of more than $1 billion, Con Edison is offering major incentives to reduce electricity demand in the fast-growing Brooklyn-Queens area, while jurisdictions like Ontario are turning to battery storage to meet rising demand as well.

Con Edison’s efforts in New York City are in line with the state’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Initiative, which is aimed at creating a cleaner, more affordable, modern and efficient energy system that seamlessly includes distributed energy resources like rooftop solar, combined heat and power, energy efficiency, and long-duration energy storage solutions.

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Eight Areas of Electricity Innovation to Watch in 2017

eLab 2017 Priorities spotlight electricity system transformation, uniting utilities, regulators, DER providers, and consumers on valuation and rate design, EVs as grid assets, distribution markets, utility business models, and LMI energy access.

Key Points

Focus areas guiding industry leaders: DER valuation, EV grid assets, distribution markets, and equitable engagement.

✅ DER valuation and rate design frameworks

✅ EV integration as grid asset, managed charging

✅ Distribution system markets and operations

For the past five years, Rocky Mountain Institute has been convening and supporting the Electricity Innovation Lab (eLab), a unique network of leaders and change agents from across the electricity industry representing a cross-section of the key stakeholders who are shaping the transformation of our electricity system today.

With utilities, regulators, distributed energy resource companies, energy consumers, advocates, and academic experts collaborating together, eLab really is a laboratory: a place to test new ideas and to explore new solutions, such as grid coordination for EV flexibility across the grid.

They surveyed those eLab members about their most exciting opportunities—and their critical challenges—in 2017, including how EV-driven demand growth could shape planning nationwide. Eight key issues emerged.

Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Valuation and Rate Design
Electric Vehicles as a Grid Asset
Alternative Capital Planning
Utility Business Models in Vertically Integrated States, as EV adoption impacts utilities in new ways
Distribution System Operations and Markets increasingly rely on energy storage to enhance flexibility
DER Control Schemes: Coordination or Chaos?
Customer Engagement
DERs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers

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Carnegie Teams with Sumitomo for Grid-Scale Vanadium Flow Battery Storage

Australian VRF Battery Market sees a commercial-scale solar and storage demonstration by Energy Made Clean, Sumitomo Electric, and TNG, integrating vanadium redox flow systems with microgrids for grid-scale renewable energy reliability across Australia.

Key Points

A growing sector deploying vanadium redox flow batteries for scalable, long-life energy storage across Australia.

✅ Commercial demo by EMC, Sumitomo Electric, and TNG

✅ Integrates solar PV with containerized VRF systems

✅ Targets microgrids and grid-scale renewable reliability

Carnegie Wave Energy’s 100 per cent owned subsidiary, Energy Made Clean, is set to develop and demonstrate a commercial-scale solar and battery storage plant in Australia, after entering into a joint venture targeting Australia’s vanadium redox flow (VRF) battery market.

Carnegie said on Tuesday that EMC had signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese company Sumitomo Electric Industries and ASX-listed TNG Limited to assess the potential applications of VRF batteries through an initial joint energy storage demonstration project in Australia.

The deal builds on a June 2015 MOU between EMC and emerging strategic metals company TNG, to establish the feasibility of Vanadium Redox batteries. And it comes less than two months after Carnegie took full ownership of the Perth-based EMC, which has established itself as one of the Australia’s foremost micro-grid and battery storage businesses, reflecting momentum in areas such as green hydrogen microgrids internationally.

Energy Made Clean’s main role in the partnership will be to identify commercial project site opportunities, while also designing and supplying a compatible balance of plant – likely to include solar PV – to integrate with the VRF containerised system being supplied by Sumitomo.

The demonstration will be of commercial size, to best showcase Sumitomo’s technology, the companies said; with each party contributing to their core competencies, and subsequently cooperating on the marketing and sales of VRF batteries.

As we have noted on RE before, vanadium redox flow batteries are tipped to be one of the key players in the booming global energy storage market, alongside innovations like gravity storage investment, as more and more renewable energy sources are brought onto grids around the world.

The batteries are considered uniquely suited to on- and off-grid energy storage applications, and emerging models like vehicle-to-building power, due to their scalability and long asset lives, with deep and very high cycling capability.

Australia, as well as being a key market for battery storage uptake, has seen a recent grid rule change that could impact big batteries, and has been noted for its potential to become a top global producer of vanadium – a metal found in a range of mineral deposits.

A number of Australian companies are already active in the local vanadium redox flow battery market, including miner Australian Vanadium – which recently inked a deal with Germany battery maker Gildemeister Energy Storage to sell its CellCube range of VRF batteries – and Brisbane based battery maker Redflow.

Energy Made Clean CEO John Davidson said the signing of the MOU would bring key industry innovators together to help revolutionise the vanadium redox flow battery market in Australia.

“This strategic MoU represents a compelling three-way tie-up of an emerging miner, a manufacturer and an integrator to accelerate the development of a major new energy growth market,” Davidson said.

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