Qcells USA Corp.’s Post

The map below shows the "hyperscale" -- i.e., huge, more than 100-MW -- data centers across the U.S. at the end of 2022; so by now, we certainly have more. As per my latest in NetZero Insider, Virginia boasts of having 150 hyperscales -- 35% of the worldwide total. Unfortunately, utilities and some policy makers have reacted to this boom in electricity demand by freaking out and arguing that we need to keep existing coal plants online and build more natural gas plants. In this sea of kneejerk reactions, EPRI has come up with an admirably sane report looking at other potential solutions -- efficiency, renewables and "shared energy" programs that would tap into the data centers' backup generation for grid reliability and flexibility. The response to data center power demand is itself a hyperscale issue that could determine states' and our national ability to meet emission reduction goals. We can't afford to bring old, kneejerk solutions to new problems. And as Priya Barua of the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance said, we have to be ready to get uncomfortable. RTO Insider LLC EPRI Canary Media Inc. Click here to read on! https://lnkd.in/eiJqs2yq

Gas turbines realize 60% of their total capacity, and only need 30 tons per MW, whereas wind power is intermittent, and only realizes 25% to 33% of their capacities in the US. Wind turbines also require 500 tons per MW in materials, copper, steel, etc. FERC rule 1920 is forcing these coal plants to reduce emission or upgrade to another form of power. Some of them will be rebuilt as nuclear. Nuclear will be a better choice for data centers, as wind and solar are intermittent, need backup power, and new high voltage transmission lines, not worth the cost.

As electric utilities grapple with the urgent need to decarbonize and transition to renewable energy sources, the pressure to modernize outdated power grids has never been greater. The push from government mandates and regulatory bodies to reduce fossil fuel dependence and electrify society is driving a transformative shift in the energy sector. Central to this transition is the need for a modernized grid, equipped with advanced communications infrastructure to handle increased data and connectivity demands. Among the emerging solutions, the adoption of private LTE (PLTE) networks stands out, offering utilities a robust, flexible, and secure framework to enhance grid visibility, control, and resilience in a rapidly evolving landscape. Take a look at this article to learn more!

“That concept of virtual power plants is really the key to executing the energy transition in a cost-effective way.” In our latest episode of On the Grid Edge, host Peter Asmus and Tim Hade from Scale Microgrids dive deep into how effectively aggregating distributed energy resources (DERs) into virtual power plants (VPPs) can reduce the cost of the energy transition by up to half. Watch the full vodcast: https://lnkd.in/gNGZBKyb #OnTheGridEdge #VPPs #Microgrids #CleanEnergyTransition

Can #microgrids -- solar+battery+switchgear -- for businesses and organizations of every kind become the foundation for virtual power plants? The idea, recently the subject of a Bill McKibben article in the New Yorker, is that we can build a distributed, de-centralized #smartgrid from the grassroots up. As Tim Hade from Scale Microgrids observes here, the technology already exists, while the cost of energy storage and solar panels is becoming more and more attractive. We can and should build an electrical infrastructure that looks and acts more like the Internet, compared with the aging grid structured more like the legacy broadcast media networks of yore. #virtualpowerplants

The US currently has a major #cleanenergy problem: There is more electricity from #solar power alone waiting to get on the grid than the entire amount of energy currently on the grid. Last week, the White House announced a new initiative to modernize America's outdated electrical grid, which is a significant barrier to integrating more clean energy and reducing power outages. This effort involves collaboration between the federal government and 21 states, aiming to expand and upgrade the grid to handle increased electricity from renewable sources and withstand extreme weather. This initiative is supported by significant public investment and aims to facilitate the construction of new transmission lines and enhance existing ones. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has also approved reforms to improve proactive planning for grid expansion. This modernization is critical as electricity demand is set to rise due to data centers, #AI, and electric vehicles. #SolarSunday Want to learn more? 🔗https://lnkd.in/eqMR6Q4g

‘Magnificent Seven’ Tech Companies Roping Sites, Natural Gas and Renewables Supply to Corral AI Data Mega-tech operators are in pursuit of land and power generation to supply the stampede of data center facilities set to be built across the United States, which may translate into higher natural gas consumption. The forecasts for new power generation to fuel hyperscale data centers are all over the map. Many operators are eyeing underutilized... Read the entire article at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gwRfmyKj

Virtual Power Plants (#VPPs) are proving to be a game-changer for meeting summer electricity demand in the U.S., as highlighted in a recent RMI report. With over 500 operational VPPs, these systems offer a cost-effective and reliable solution for addressing grid vulnerabilities during peak periods. Unlike traditional generation and transmission investments, VPPs can be implemented quickly and avoid billions in capital expenses. As extreme weather continues to challenge #grid stability, VPPs represent a flexible and immediate response to maintaining power reliability. At Sunnova Energy, we’re transforming how power is managed through distributed energy resources (#DERs). By leveraging rooftop solar and other DERs, we enhance energy efficiency, minimize energy loss, and reduce the need for extensive transmission networks. This approach not only makes #energy more affordable and accessible but also empowers consumers with greater choice and independence. Sunnova’s vision aligns with the future of energy—where local generation and advanced technology create a consumer-focused power system. More from Utility Dive.

📢 SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT! 📢 Peter Kelly-Detwiler has over 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, with much of his career in competitive power markets. Formerly an SVP leading Constellation Energy’s Demand response team, he’s currently a leading consultant, researcher, speaker and trainer in the electric industry. He provides strategic advice to clients and investors, helping them to navigate the rapid evolution and complexities of the electric power grid. He has written white papers and research reports for numerous clients, covering a broad range of topics. These include: community solar; distributed energy resources and virtual power plants; enhanced geothermal energy resources; alternative transmission technologies; datacenters and global power availability; and emerging energy technologies for supporting datacenter power load. Mr. Kelly-Detwiler also offers numerous keynotes, and trainings, and he is the go-to trainer for organizations such as The American Public Power Association and The Smart Electric Power Alliance, with workshops addressing a wide range of topics related to energy, technology, and policy. His book on the transformation of electric power markets - “The Energy Switch: How Companies and Customers Are Transforming the Electrical grid and the Future of Power” - was published by Prometheus Books in June of 2021. Catch Peter at our Summit this October 1 & 2, summit passes are available now: https://lnkd.in/g9wMGPw #edu2024 #energydisruptors #eventsincanada #albertaenergy #energysummit