Energy Efficiency

ISO-NE Details 2014/2015 WRP Resource Participation

ISO-NE’s current Winter Reliability Program boasts increased fuel and resource availability through a restructured and expanded compensation structure. On January 12, 2015, ISO New England (ISO-NE) released a report on the resource participation of its 2014/2015 Winter Reliability Program (WRP), a temporary out-of-market solution to maintain electric system reliability. ISO-NE expressed confidence that a diverse…...

ARPA-E Issues OPEN 2015 Solicitation for Transformational Energy Projects

The DOE has announced $125M OPEN solicitation through ARPA-E to catalyze the advancement of transformational energy technologies. On January 7, 2015, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) issued its third OPEN funding opportunity announcement (FOA) – OPEN 2015 – for up to $125M to support potentially disruptive new technologies…...

New EPA Clean Power Plan Rulemaking Schedule Delays Compliance Deadlines

The EPA Clean Power Plan and new generation source emission rule finalization to mid-summer 2015 pushes back compliance deadlines. On January 7, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a revised schedule to finalize rulemakings for power plant emission standards under its proposed Clean Power Plan.  The EPA intends to finalize the rules by mid-summer…...

California Governor Outlines 2030 Renewable Energy Goals

The proposed increase to 50 percent by 2030 could also result in indirect boost to energy storage industries. In his inaugural address on January 5, 2015, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. proposed new initiatives to expand the state’s emissions reduction efforts under the AB 32 climate law and establish the next set of objectives…...

DOE Energy Efficiency Standards Projected to Save Consumers $78B

DOE’s efficiency standards will not slow demand, but could save up to $78 billion in electricity bills. On December 31, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced energy efficiency standards for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and automatic commercial ice makers (ACIMs), achieving its goal of finalizing 10 energy efficiency standards in 2014.  Together, the…...

New York RFP for Emissions Reduction Technologies Could Advance Regional, Nationwide Goals

$14.5M in funding supports market-ready emissions reduction technologies and is part a larger pool of more than $400M of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proceeds that could help moderate future RGGI auction prices. On December 30, 2014, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced $14.5M in funding to support market-ready technologies…...

[Report] 2014 Energy Policies Defined by Shift toward a Cleaner, More Reliable Grid

EPA’s Clean Power Plan, regional programs, and continued solar installation growth aim to improve state-level resource and grid reliability. The proposed Clean Power Plan and regional reliability programs will continue to influence an energy mix shift and electric system improvements in the coming years. The energy mix shift is also being pushed by fuel and…...

DOE Releases Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan

The DOE’s Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan recognizes the need for safety measures in the growing and 2015-projected $10B energy storage market. On December 23, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) released the grid stability during deployment of  addressing gird-scale, utility, community, and residential storage technologies.  The…...

[Report] Demand Response Parity in Wholesale Markets Hinges on FERC 745 Outcome

Demand response (DR) performance in wholesale power markets has improved over the past six years, in part as a result of multiple FERC Orders. Removal of DR from organized electricity markets would favor generators through increased sales; this could lead to higher associated emissions and peak power prices. The Solicitor General has until January 15 to file…...

ARPA-E Announces Emissions Reduction and Energy Efficiency Projects

ARPA-E has announced $60M in funding under its MONITOR and DELTA programs to check methane emissions and facilitate energy-efficient thermal management. On December 16, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $60M in funding for 22 innovative projects through its Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR)…...

NY Governor Announces REDC Awards

Governor Cuomo has announced the 2014 REDC awards including funding for sustainability projects under the Cleaner, Greener Communities initiative. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo awarded $709.2M for 852 statewide economic and community development projects through the Regional Economic Development Council’s (REDC) fourth round of funding.  Established in 2011, the REDC…...