Focus
California Supreme Court rules rooftop solar credit rollback needs revisiting, rejecting deference to CPUC
CBS News – August 8
The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled on August 7 that state regulators were given undue deference in deciding to roll back rooftop solar credits for homeowners, reversing an appeals court ruling that upheld the regulators’ decision. The 2022 decision by the California Public Utilities Commission, which reduced payments to solar panel owners for selling excess power back to utility companies, was upheld by the state Court of Appeal in December 2023 following a lawsuit by environmental groups.
News
Department of Interior cracks down on bird deaths, but only from wind turbines
The New York Times – August 9
Bald eagles must be protected to the fullest extent of the law from dangerous wind turbines, the Administration’s interior secretary declared this week. Interior Secretary Burgum directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to review a regulation that currently allows wind energy companies to obtain a permit to incidentally “take” or harm a certain number of eagles during their operations, provided they take steps to minimize harm. He also called on the agency to review violations that have occurred under the law, and “where appropriate,” refer them to the Department of Justice, raising the possibility that wind operators could be criminally prosecuted for eagle deaths.
Projects
Energy Vault receives approval for green hydrogen-BESS microgrid to participate in California market
Energy Storage News – August 7
Energy storage developer and system integrator Energy Vault has received approval to pursue market-based participation in the California Independent System Operator with the Calistoga Resiliency Centre in Napa Valley. The company received approval for its 293 MWh system from the California Public Utilities Commission. The project integrates hydrogen fuel cells with a lithium-ion battery energy storage system and is engineered to ensure power resilience during grid disconnections caused by wildfires or other natural disasters.
Board approves Dogwood geothermal expansion amid concerns
Calexico Chronicle – August 6
A proposal by Ormat Technologies to expand geothermal operations south of Heber was approved on August 5 by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors following a public hearing that drew support, legal objections, and calls for improved communication from landowners. The project, known as the Dogwood Geothermal Energy Project, includes the construction of a new 25 MW geothermal power plant within the existing Ormat Heber 2 footprint, the development of 22 MW of parasitic solar energy facilities on adjacent land, and the drilling of four new wells connected by approximately 4,500 feet of brine pipeline.
Portland General energizes 1.9 GWh of lithium batteries in major storage expansion
Utility Dive – August 12
Portland General Electric has brought a trio of battery projects online totaling 475 MW/1.9 GWh to maintain reliability and limit price volatility in the metropolitan area. The three projects bring PGE’s large-scale battery storage capacity to 492 MW, representing a significant expansion.
Costco warehouse in Connecticut adds on-site solar + storage system
Solar Power World – August 12
Trinity Energy has completed a solar + storage system at Costco Wholesale’s warehouse in Norwalk, Connecticut. The size of the solar system was not revealed, but the microgrid installation is capable of delivering 2 MWh of power per day, the company says.
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