Cypress Creek Renewables’ Post

It’s and exciting and powerful thing what we at Sunrun are doing in Puerto Rico! Check out this article for some educational nuggets on Virtual Power Plants and learn more about Puerto Rico’s FIRST-EVER VPP 🇵🇷🌞

We just released the 2023 annual review and Q4 update of "The 50 States of Solar." In 2023, 47 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico took action, with Maine, California, Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Connecticut leading the way. A total of 273 policy and rate changes were proposed, pending, or decided. See what all the action was about at https://lnkd.in/gdiZvvrQ

Tomorrow is the launch of the Boston Community Solar Cooperative! It is not to late to register for attendance. https://bit.ly/BCSC2024. As we say goodbye to Black History Month, a study this week published by the National Association of Realtors reported that the income gap between white and black family increase from $21,540 in 2012 to $27,840 in 2022. When it comes to the racial wealth gap we are unfortunately going in the wrong direction. Community ownership of solar systems offers families the opportunity to own a fractional interest in asset that generates income every day the sun shines. Come support the movement for community ownership of the new solar systems we need to decarbonize buildings, transportation and power generation.

[Note to Future Self: TL;DR] The Gorilla and Elephant in Our Energy Room: Navigating the Dual Benefits and Threats of Rooftop PV and Cybersecurity In the evolving landscape of distributed energy resources (DER), two forces are making their presence felt, though one much more than the other. The first, a metaphorical noisey 'gorilla' [1], the rapid expansion and influence of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, is reshaping our electricity markets. The second, a deftly quiet 'elephant' [2], represents the burgeoning cybersecurity threats, especially in the context of the diffusion of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) into society. The Gorilla: Rooftop PV's Market Influence Rooftop PV has grown into a formidable player in Australia's energy markets. By 2026, it's projected that Rooftop PV will generate as much power as coal generators during peak daytime hours. This shift is forcing a reevaluation of our reliance on traditional coal and gas power plants. Our transition isn't without its challenges. As Tristan Edis points out in his article, "Beware crude controls on rooftop solar systems" [1], there's a delicate balance to be struck in integrating these systems with existing energy infrastructures. The concern is not just about grid stability, but also about ensuring that investments in solar, batteries, & electric vehicles are not undermined by overly restrictive controls. The Elephant: Cybersecurity in the Age of AGI The second challenge is cybersecurity, a concern highlighted in a recent post [2] about controlling Rooftop PV systems. The diffusion of AGI into society and DER systems presents both opportunities for efficiency gains and risks of system vulnerabilities. As we've seen with initiatives like SA Power Networks Flexible Exports for DER [3], these technologies bring benefits but also expose our energy systems to new kinds of digital threats known & unknown [2]. The key lies in developing containment strategies that mitigate AGI-related cybersecurity threats while acknowledging the challenges in completely preventing them. This calls for a diverse defence approach in DER systems, including varied hardware, communication, and control systems, to build resilience against sophisticated AGI threats. Merging the Metaphors: A Call for Balanced Innovation The "consumer energy resources road map" introduced in the recent communique by Australia's energy ministers is a crucial step towards addressing both the gorilla & the elephant. We all need to work beyond self-interests to harness the benefits of rooftop PV while safeguarding our systems against the emerging system risks and digital threats. 1. Beware crude controls on rooftop solar systems: https://lnkd.in/gtKmcT_Y 2. Initial Currents: AGI Setting Course for a Perfect Cyber Storm in DER: https://lnkd.in/gsNPmW6H 3. SA Islanding: Managing solar on the island: https://lnkd.in/gaYrMfWt #AGI #RooftopPV #EnergySecurity #FutureOfEnergy #Cybersecurity #DER #AEMO

So much to say. I’m in San Francisco right now meeting with lots of different folks about how to continue the state’s historic position as the “pole car” for the nation in clean energy innovation and deployment. You've heard me talk about this before, but federal clean energy policies passed in 2022 are spurring historic investment in solar energy. That means more family-sustaining careers, healthier communities, and a more reliable electric grid. Many of California's elected leaders are in position to preserve these policies and keep this economic momentum going.   Let’s continue the march toward American energy dominance and an American-made clean energy future. Check out my new op-ed in the Desert Sun calling on California's state and federal policymakers to ensure the Golden State continues to lead our nation's energy economy.   https://lnkd.in/enCNxytT

"Collaborative efforts like GridTECH Northeast should be the industry norm, not the exception if we are going to make achieving those goals a reality." Geoff Sparrow, P.E., Vice President of Development at Green Lantern Solar and Advisory Board Member for GridTECH Northeast, shares his insights from October in a recent article. Dive into his perspective here➡️ https://ow.ly/LSVA50QiJKU

People ask me what my favorite installation is, and that is a hard question. My clients are amazing for all sorts of reasons, but my goodness, it is special being connected to the Lumbee community. The history, perspective and just specialness of the community really gets to me. I learned a few more things in this interview with James Harden, former ED of Lumbee Regional Development Association. #energyjustice #environmentaljustice #climatechange #solarenergy https://lnkd.in/dg-mykgA

In the Energy & Environment Focus: How a recent SCOTUS decision is trickling down to the Indiana Statehouse. https://ow.ly/J9cb50QC2Jo

Sunrun continues to expand #PuertoRico’s virtual power plant program, providing a reliable 6+ megawatts on a single day to support the grid. Nearly 1,800 of our customers — totaling more than 2,000 batteries — participate in our PowerOn Puerto Rico virtual power plant, dispatching power to provide Puerto Ricans with reliable and affordable energy. In May and June, Sunrun dispatched its participating fleet of batteries on every single weekday. With a total of 364,000+ kWh of clean, affordable energy dispatched, Sunrun’s fleet of home solar and batteries helps the grid avoid using costly and polluting fossil fuel generators. The program has been supplying dependable energy from solar-plus-storage systems to the island’s energy grid since last fall. Sunrun is proud to have many of its customers participate in Puerto Rico’s Battery Emergency Demand Response Program. https://lnkd.in/dMJ-qc6u Ongoing outages plague Puerto Rico with dangerous frequency; tools like home solar and battery systems help them to keep the lights on for their everyday needs, and support the overall grid. That’s why it’s so important to ensure foundational policies remain in place to secure access to reliable and resilient energy on the island. #PowerForPR https://lnkd.in/eCxuifmy