9 Jun, 2022

'Growing pains' for energy storage; PG&E still open to Diablo Canyon extension

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By Selene Balasta


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Tesla batteries on fire in July 2021 at Neoen's Victorian Big Battery project in Australia. The root cause was likely a coolant leak, an investigation found.
Source: Country Fire Authority

TOP NEWS

➤ Battery blazes, breakdowns underscore 'growing pains' for energy storage

Vistra Corp.'s Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California's Monterey Bay, celebrated as the world's largest lithium-ion battery station, is scheduled to resume commercial operations in June after separate outages in February and, before that, in September 2021 sidelined one of the Golden State's most essential energy transition assets.

➤ US DOE floats multiphase plan for $8B hydrogen hub program

The U.S. Energy Department issued a notice of intent to provide $8 billion for at least four regional hydrogen hubs, part of a Biden administration effort to create a national economy for the clean-burning gas.

➤ ERCOT considers Tesla bid to unleash virtual power plants

Tesla Inc. is asking the Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc. to modernize its wholesale power market rules so software-controlled clusters of distributed energy resources can get paid to support broader grid reliability, reflecting the company's expanding energy ambitions in the Lone Star State.

➤ Biden solar actions could help restore 2-3 GW of capacity in 2022

The Biden administration's recent actions to support domestic solar energy production will minimize, but not eliminate, a projected loss in new solar installations this year, a major industry group said.

➤ PG&E unveils 'climate positive' road map, still open to Diablo Canyon extension

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. remains open to applying for federal funds to extend the life of its Diablo Canyon nuclear power station, even as the PG&E Corp. operating arm on June 8 unveiled an ambitious energy transition strategy that assumes California's largest source of electricity will retire, as currently planned, in 2025.

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CHART SPOTLIGHT

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U.S. wind power capacity additions in the first quarter dipped compared with the year-ago period as the industry remained buffeted by soaring prices of key commodities such as steel as well as supply chain disruption and rising freight rates.

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NUCLEAR/THERMAL GENERATION

* DTE Energy begins operations at 1,150-MW gas-fired plant in Michigan

* Vistra shuts down 1,333-MW Zimmer coal plant in Ohio

* Westinghouse, Bloom partner to explore nuclear-powered hydrogen

* Small modular reactors may produce at least double the nuclear waste – study

* US government seeks support for $4B nuclear fuel purchase plan

TRANSMISSION & GRID

* Federal regulator approves PacifiCorp's Gateway South transmission project

* Alaska utilities plan $200M Railbelt transmission system upgrades

* MISO seeks FERC's sign-off on competition exemptions for transmission upgrades

* CAISO seeks FERC approval for rule changes to streamline grid interconnections

* In new program, DOE to focus on being anchor tenant on big grid projects

RENEWABLES & CLEAN TECH

* Biden administration proposes 1st offshore wind lease sales on US West Coast

* TransAlta Renewables proceeds with wind farm rehabilitation, extends contracts

* Calif. aggregator inks power contract for solar-plus-storage project

* Recurrent completes 100-MW solar project for Entergy Mississippi

* Philadelphia signs solar supply contract to power government buildings

STORAGE & HYDROGEN

* US energy storage developers plan 10 GW of additions in 2022, 38 GW through 2024

* Convergent, National Grid complete NY solar-plus-storage project

* NTE Energy launches new solar/battery development platform

* Clean hydrogen technologies get boost from Defense Production Act decision

* Kona Energy gets planning consent for 200-MW battery storage project

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This edition covers news about infrastructure developments in the U.S. and Canadian power sector from May 26 through June 9.

S&P Global Commodity Insights produces content for distribution on S&P Capital IQ Pro.