Focus
The California grid ran on 100% renewables with no blackouts or cost rises for a record 98 days
Electrek – December 31
According to a new study published in the journal Renewable Energy, no blackouts occurred when wind, water, and solar electricity supply exceeded 100% of demand on California’s main grid for a record 98 of 116 days from late winter to early summer 2024 for an average (maximum) of 4.84 (10.1) hours per day. Compared to the same period in 2023, solar output in California is up 31%, wind power is up 8%, and batteries are up a staggering 105%.
News
Finalized tax credit for cleaner hydrogen gets a cautious OK from some environmental groups
U.S. News & World Report – January 3
The Biden administration released long-awaited final rules last Friday for a tax credit that will send billions of dollars to producers of cleaner hydrogen. A year ago, the Treasury Department proposed a tiered system where firms that produce hydrogen by splitting water could qualify for the full credit of $3 per kilogram. Now, the final rule could also extend the full credit to firms that use natural gas to make hydrogen if they use technology to capture and sequester the emissions, and to firms that make hydrogen from natural gas alternatives sourced from wastewater, animal manure, and landfill gas.
Biden moves to block oil, gas, and geothermal development in a Nevada mountain range for 20 years
Associated Press – December 30
The U.S. Department of the Interior has submitted an application to withdraw about 264,000 acres of federal lands in northeastern Nevada’s Ruby Mountains from oil, gas, and geothermal development leasing. The filing starts a 90-day public comment period on the 20-year prohibition and prevents oil, gas, and geothermal development for two years during the process. The Biden administration said it moved to protect the lands at the request of Native American tribes, conservationists, hunters, and anglers.
Projects
Desert Quartzite solar power plant near Blythe now fully operational
Mohave Daily News – December 27
A solar power plant capable of powering 120,000 homes with clean energy is now up and running in Southern California, just west of the city of Blythe. The 300 MW Desert Quartzite solar facility also has 150 MW of battery storage.
Eolus to sell 100 MW/400 MWh Pome energy storage project in California
Power Technology – January 6
Eolus has reached an agreement with a privately held U.S. renewable energy producer to sell its Pome battery energy storage project in Poway, California. The 100 MW/400 MWh project, which is currently under construction, is expected to commence commercial operation in H1 2025.
New York approves 125 MW AES solar project on industrial land
PV-Tech – December 30
The New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued its final siting permit for AES’ 125 MW Somerset solar project. The facility, which will be built in Nicaragua County, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, is notable as it is the first project to be built on repurposed industrial land awarded a permit by ORES.
BLM approves solar project in La Paz County, Arizona
KAWC – January 6
The Bureau of Land Management has granted approval for the 600 MW Jove Solar Project, expanding clean energy generation on public lands. The project, which is expected to generate enough electricity to power roughly 180,000 homes annually, will be constructed in La Paz County, Arizona, spanning 3,495 acres of public land and 38 acres of county land.
Texas coal plant to switch to solar + storage by 2027
Solar Power World – December 30
A coal plant in Texas will soon transition into a solar + storage facility to provide clean renewable energy to 47 rural South Texas counties. San Miguel Electric Cooperative Inc. has been awarded a more than $1.4 billion investment by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service program, which provides grants and low-interest loans to expand energy that prioritizes greenhouse gas reductions.
*This article may require a subscription to read.
[View source.]
