The Flow Battery Code Is Starting To Crack: Red State Edition
A new flow battery is just the latest sign that Georgia is gearing up to leading the energy transition, ESG or no ESG.
electric cooperatives
The Agrivoltaics Plot Thickens: Energy Crisis, Farm Crisis, & Water Crisis All In Play
Agrivoltaics can help solve a trifecta of issues impacting agriculture in the US and elsewhere: energy, revenue, and water.
Colorado Law Creates Transparency at Rural Electric Co-ops
Originally published at ILSR.org After moving to Colorado, Joe Smyth found he was barred from participating in his generation and transmission cooperative — despite a Colorado law promoting co-op transparency. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Joe Smyth, researcher at the Energy and … [continued]
An Overlooked Solution For Competitive & Local Renewable Power
Today, there’s a battle brewing across the US to reinvigorate a little-used law and bring it into alignment with a modern marketplace riper than ever for small-scale renewables. Like other policies that present compelling local economic value — among them net metering and community solar — PURPA lives or dies by its implementation.
In Florida’s Fight for Renewables, New Co-op Network Eyes Solar
A simmering fight to keep renewables out of Florida’s energy mix is approaching a boiling point in November, underscoring the need for smarter energy policies and easier solar access offered by Florida Solar United Neighborhoods.
Beyond Sharing Report – Part 3: Exceptional Community-Owned Renewable Energy Projects
Despite the challenging legal and financial barriers facing community renewable energy, a surprising number of projects and project models have succeeded. These projects have brought together hundreds of people into ownership of renewable energy, often saving them money, and keeping more of the money they spend on energy in their own community.
Beyond Sharing Report – Part 2: Barrier Busting
There are three big tools for breaking down the barriers to community renewable energy: using non-tax-based incentives for renewable energy, simplifying the process of raising capital, and adopting formal “community energy” laws that enable power sharing.
Beyond Sharing Report — Part 1: Benefits of Community-Owned Renewable Energy
In this report, we talked about several forms of community renewable energy. Community-owned renewables are owned locally, by members of the community. Shared renewables may or may not be locally owned, but the community can share the output. Group purchasing involves collective action to purchase renewable energy, such as rooftop solar arrays, but the benefits accrue to the individuals who host the solar on their rooftops.
Sunshine & Ownership: A Cooperative Solar Garden Blooms in North Minneapolis – Episode 34, Local…
Originally published on ilsr.org. When people pay their electric bill to an investor-owned utility such as Minnesota’s Xcel Energy, they are generating energy for themselves, but the profit and wealth accrues to the utility’s investors. But now, customers have an opportunity to buy in. Community solar programs are popping up … [continued]
A Kansas Electric Cooperative Offers Energy Savings With $0 Down — Episode 32 of Local…
Originally published at ilsr.org. It’s not sexy. But it can make you warmer. It can even make you cooler. On-bill financing provides loans for energy efficiency improvements through the local utility company, paid back with energy savings on monthly electric (or gas) bills. And it’s a powerful tool for simplifying the … [continued]
