David Bierman

A colleague asked me based on the last 5 years of ERCOT wind and solar hourly output how many GW of wind + solar + MWh of storage would be needed to deliver a continuous 1GW of Carbon Free Energy for every hour in the period. That was a fun question. So I pulled hourly data from here for ERCOT https://lnkd.in/e9DcWKk to give me a database of Jan 1, 2019 to Feb 1, 2024 of hourly wind and solar generation. Then I pulled installed wind and solar data capacity from here for ERCOT: https://lnkd.in/gaxU2JAd I used the installed capacity of wind and solar to convert the actual generation through the period to hourly outputs as a percentage of the installed capacity at the time (I just linearly interpolated solar and wind installed capacity throughout the year from capacity for the end of the previous year to end of the current year based on the EIA installed capacity inventories). With those hourly percentages I set up a calculator to tell me if I installed 'x' GWs of solar or wind in ERCOT what I would get looking at every hour in the Jan 1, 2019 to Feb 1, 2024 dataset. I then setup a calculator to figure out a storage inventory based on a continuous need for 1GW of Carbon Free Energy (CFE) needed for every hour in the dataset. I did a number of runs with different installations of Wind (GW), Solar (GW), and Storage (MWh) to see if they could deliver 1GW of energy for every hour in the ~45,000 hour dataset. Below is a table of results.

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For anyone who will be at IEEE Power & Energy Society T&D Conference feel free to stop by our panel session on #EVs and #gridreliability. Will be an interesting cross-sector discussion including technology provider, independent system operator, and utility perspectives among others. E-mobility is driving the blending of Transmission and Distribution system planning, design, and operations. Particularly with the growing prevalence of distributed energy resources, IoT and grid-edge technologies, and virtual power plants (#VPPs).

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PVcase’s Jake Anderson recently reminded me of something important: Data quality in renewable energy has had quite an exciting evolution. That’s one of the big points Jake made during a QuickTalk on data risk at #REplus24 in Anaheim. Decades ago, it was incredibly difficult to collect data for solar projects. It came in bits and pieces. That got better over time. But even in the past few years, getting certain data has still been like pulling teeth. Today, the landscape is fundamentally different. We have waves of data coming in. It has become far more accessible and transparent. The analysis and organization of data have also changed with time. Previously, this was done manually – requiring significant time and introducing human error. Now, the industry has shifted towards automation, reducing soft costs and improving accuracy. Developers are choosing platforms that integrate as much data as possible in one place. As Jake explained during his talk, “When you have that baseline of the data, you're able to do deeper analysis than you ever were able. You're allowing your performance engineering team to not just focus on this harmonization piece, but focus on higher value evaluations.” In sum, more integrated data means higher-performing renewable projects. So what’s next in the data quality evolution? As Jake noted, as data becomes more available and transparent, we also need to protect it. Data breaches can hurt projects and the success of the industry. It’s one of the biggest issues our clients ask about. Here at PVcase, we aim to be one step ahead of the data evolution. Since our start, we’ve been making products that collect, organize, and integrate an enormous amount of data. And we take many steps to protect sensitive data. We’ll keep innovating to be at the forefront of this evolution. 🚀 🙌 #DataRisk #Solar #SolarIsTheFuture #Software #EnergyTransition

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Going #electric at home may appear daunting and costly. However, with state and federal incentives, this shift becomes more feasible. DSIRE's (screenshot below) platform simplifies identifying available state incentives for renewable energy and efficiency initiatives. Companies like Rock Rabbit, EnergySage, Encentiv Energy, Opower, Rebate Bus, Sense, Enervee, Powerley, and others are demystifying these incentives, making them more accessible to homeowners. Learn more in Climate People's latest #1MinuteClimateSnippet: https://buff.ly/3KyG3Nz .

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Session Snapshot: RE+ in Anaheim, CA 📷 Will AI save the grid? That’s the question Marguerite Behringer, Director of Regulatory Policy and Industry Relations, discussed with a panel of experts from Smart Electric Power Alliance, The AES Corporation, RWE, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company at this week’s RE+ conference. Together, the group shared how AI, machine learning, and software are transforming utility operations and grid management and discussed the opportunities and potential risks of integrating AI into grid operations. #TeamGreen #AI #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #EnergyTransformation

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Innovo is back with our newest Monday update - Solar & Wind! Check it out below ⬇ ☀ Solar - Increased 16% YoY from 2022 to 2023 with 238,121 GWh of electricity production in total - California produced over 2x compared to any other state with 68,800 GWh of electricity generated - Texas had a 37% increase in capacity added in 2023 - #Solar amassed 4% of the country's electricity production in 2023, up from 0.5% in 2014 🍃 Wind: - Decreased 2% YoY from 2022 to 2023 with 425,235 GWh of electricity produced for utility purposes. The reason? Winds speeds decreasing in the Midwest especially. - Texas generates more from #wind than the next 3 states combined at 119,836 GWh of electricity - Arizona & New York increased their generation by 39% and 25% in 2023 - Wind produces 10% of the nation's electricity, compared to 4% in 2014 ⚡ Out of the ~125 million homes, Wind & Solar generated enough to power 61 million homes in 2023...that's nearly half! There's a lot of progress to be made in order to stay carbon free by 2035. Innovo Markets will continue to support both Solar & Wind generation facilities. Through the Innovo platform these power producers will save money and time leveraging an easy to use tech stack to handle their renewable energy certificates needs. Check out more from our sources here: https://lnkd.in/g7J5Fkvg https://lnkd.in/gmicS2J8 And learn more about Innovo on our website: https://lnkd.in/giXfuw_s

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I always enjoy reading Andre's Climate Substack from André Meurer. Today I learned a ton about Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) and the HWH replacement process. TL;DR (But seriously you should read it, it's funny and packed with great advice) ➡️Efficiency: Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are significantly more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric models, offering long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. ➡️Installation: Upgrading to a HPWH can be complex, requiring electrical work and careful consideration of sizing (first-hour rating). Choosing an experienced contractor is crucial. ➡️Cost: While initial costs are higher, HPWHs pay for themselves through reduced energy bills and potential rebates. ➡️Additional Benefits: HPWHs dehumidify and slightly cool the surrounding area, which can be beneficial in humid basements. ➡️Considerations: HPWHs might be slightly noisier than traditional models and may require larger tanks to match the hot water output of gas heaters. Sign up for Andre's Climate! https://lnkd.in/e2HzZizE

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Merchant vs hedge in battery storage... That's what I'll be discussing at the Solarmedia Battery Asset Management Summit November 12 in San Diego I'll be on a panel with my friend Joe Crespo, Sandeep Arora of REV Renewables, Erdal Kara, PhD of Vistra Corp., Li Xu of LXI Capital and Sebastian Blake of Octopus Energy talking about risks and rewards, and sharing my Plus Power perspective #energystorage #batterystorage #batteries https://lnkd.in/eQDiv_Ax

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It is amazing to see the continued deployment of large scale batteries onto the grid. Grid stability has never been more important due to the higher penetrations of clean yet intermittent energy sources such as PV and Wind. When properly designed and applied, technologies like BESS (battery energy storage systems) can truly enhance grid voltage, frequency and angular stability. Can’t wait to see advancements in utility controls (especially large scale remedial action schemes) where fast acting BESS power electronics are called upon during large scale power disturbances! Note: The views expressed are solely those of the author and are based on their personal technical experiences. These views do not represent those of any organization.

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🔋 Microgrid Knowledge's Lisa Cohn recently sat down with Fermata Energy’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Steve Letendre, PhD, to discuss recent legislation in California and more broadly the importance of bidirectional charging for grid reliability and resilience. While the passage of SB 59 in California helps to raise awareness about Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, Steve says that it does not address the key challenges in order for California and other states to maximize bidirectional charging benefits. He shared what really needs to happen, including: 1. A streamlined process that allows EV drivers to connect bidirectional chargers to the grid. 2. Incentives must be provided for V2X that are comparable to those currently available for stationary storage. 3. Compensation for the value that bidirectional EV charging infrastructure provides to both customers and the grid. At Fermata Energy, we’re committed to driving technologies and regulations that make Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) a critical asset for grid resilience and sustainability. 🔗 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3TYNfrp #V2X #BidirectionalCharging #GridFlexibility #EVs #CleanEnergy

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Monroe Capital’s managed fund is focused on helping small and medium-sized auto manufacturers transition to electric vehicle production. #renewables #power #energy #wind #offshore #onshore #solar #hydropower #floating #nuclear #geothermal #efficiency #transition #susteinability #circular #economy #esg #clean #decarbonization #electrification #climate #hydrogen #mobility #greensteel #ammonia #transportation #storage #fuelcell #smartgrid #der #powersystem #generation #transmission #distribution #electricity #machines #motors #drives #sensors #iot #education #engineering #innovation #entrepreneurship #creativity #technology #digitalization #cybersecurtity

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Aspen Power's Kristy Zaragoza will be on GridTECH Connect Forum's upcoming panel: "Community solar: A California dream?" Expect an interesting discussion on the heels of the recent California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision to adopt a flawed community solar program. If you have questions or would like to connect in advance let us know! By siding with utilities, the CPUC has made a choice that not only undermines the interests of ratepayers but also poses a significant setback to California's ambitious climate goals. Distributed energy generation supports the equitable and sustainable growth of community solar initiatives, and our progress toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future. Learn more about the panel here: https://lnkd.in/eAw87QMP #GridTECH #Sustainability #Solar

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The concentration of active battery installations in California and Texas is remarkable. Almost 72% of all active battery installations in the #USA are located in these two states. Furthermore, 65% of all active US battery energy storage system (#BESS) development projects are also in #California and #Texas. On the one hand, well done Texas and California...! on the other hand why is the rest of the country battery dry!?!? #EnergyStorage #RenewableEnergy #energyinfrastructure #climatechange #gridoptimization #smartgrid #batterystorage #energyefficiency #smartbuildings #iot #ev #energytransition #energynews #AI

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We agree that the firming costs of intermittent renewables is the majority of the cost: energy storage, long distance transmission and demand management (rationing) are 4-5x the generation. You can avoid all of that with solutions like #SpaceSolar. We even wrote a White Paper around how these systems are the lowest cost energy solution: https://lnkd.in/gyXqaeCD

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The queue is indicative of what is to come in terms of future resources. While it is inflated and backlogged, it is very illustrative of where the resource mix is headed. Some great stats from the queue that Ryan Wiser and the Berkeley Lab team highlighted: 🔹 Nearly all solar in CA has BESS as a hybrid resource 🔹 Most solar in the West has BESS as a hybrid resource 🔹 Over half of all solar queue requests include BESS as a hybrid resource 🔹 Offshore wind requests are picking up (and coming online) 🔹 Gas (and hybrid gas) are still present 🔹 Other resource types are nearly non-existent currently Hybrid resources are the (near) future. Solar and BESS requests are growing exponentially. #BESS #solar #hybridpowerplant #IBR #inverter #gridreliability #interconnectionqueue #doei2x #queuedup #lbnl

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Wind energy is highly significant in the current energy landscape. The US has a record-high 366 GW of wind capacity in transmission interconnection queues, with 120 GW offshore and 49 GW in hybrid plants pairing wind with storage or PV. This growth highlights wind energy's crucial role in the renewable energy sector. More coming Radia.com

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We have over 400 GWhs of #battery manufacturing plant capacity operating or under construction here in the USA. "Battery #storage capacity in the U.S. has grown enough in recent years to be able to power many millions of homes, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. California and Texas dominate the industry, but projects are in the works in Nevada, Arizona and elsewhere to help meet growing power demand from artificial-intelligence data centers and manufacturing plants. Private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management recently agreed to a $315.5 million debt investment in Eos Energy Enterprises, a startup producing zinc batteries that could store energy for longer periods. A developer called rPlus Energies just raised over $1 billion for a big solar and storage project in Utah." #LongDurationEnergyStorage https://lnkd.in/eM7mjcSK

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