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World Adds Record New Renewable Energy Capacity in 2020

Modern Diplomacy Summary Global renewable energy capacity additions in 2020 beat earlier estimates and all previous records despite the economic slowdown that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data released today by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) the world...

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California Awards $3.5 Million for Microgrid at Frito-Lay Food Processing Plant

Ethan Howland, Microgrid Knowledge Summary The California Energy Commission has awarded Frito-Lay a $3.5 million grant to build a solar-powered microgrid at a food processing facility in a project the agency is touting as a model for the industry. The microgrid will be installed at a...

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Preparing for Disaster While Making Electricity

Heather Smith, Sierra Summary Humboldt County, California, is at the end of the line, electrically speaking. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, and wildfires cut off utilities—and roads—into the area. PG&E, the state's largest utility, has begun preemptively cutting power when the fire...

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Smart Energy Communities Can Make Our Grid More Human-Centric

Grant Samms, POWER Summary I’ve always been drawn to the swarm ship design concept in science fiction. The idea is that what initially looks like one massive spaceship is actually a cluster of really small vessels that can split apart when the going gets tough. As one, it’s efficient; as...

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Concentric to Build 35-MW Microgrid in California with Innovative Wholesale Power Agreement

Elisa Wood, Microgrid Knowledge Summary Concentric Power has struck a deal to build a 35-MW microgrid project in Gonzales, California that will operate under an unusual wholesale power agreement that involves a municipal utility, a local electric authority and retail customers. ...

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Massachusetts City Plans “Microgrid without Borders”

Elisa Wood, Microgrid Knowledge Summary As energy democracy and social justice increasingly drive energy planning, Chelsea, Massachusetts hopes to become a model for how it’s done by developing a ‘microgrid without borders.’ Community and climate activists, city officials and energy...

Library Entry

MRC Files Comments on the Track 2 Microgrid and Resiliency Strategies Staff Proposal

On August 14, 2020, the Microgrid Resources Coalition filed comments on the Track 2 Microgrid and Resiliency Strategies Staff Proposal, Facilitating the Commercialization of Microgrids, pursuant to Senate Bill 1339. While the MRC is grateful that the Staff Proposal is beginning to acknowledge...

Comments Of MRC on the Track 2 Microgrid and Resiliency Strategies Staff Proposal, Facilitating the Commercialization of Microgrids.pdf

Library Entry

MRC Submits Comments on CA Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) Workshop

On July 30, 2020, the Microgrid Resources Coalition submitted comments to the California Energy Commission on the Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) Workshop on Assessing the Future Role for Microgrids in California. The MRC commends the Commission for its leadership in recognizing the...

Docketed Microgrid Resources Coalition Comments on IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Mic.pdf

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25 Stakeholders Pressing California to Move Ahead with Microgrid Tariffs

Elisa Wood, Microgrid Knowledge Summary Twenty-five parties today urged California regulators to finalize microgrid tariffs by January, underscoring the need to incentivize the technology in a state now characterized by wildfires, blackouts and safety power shutoffs. In a filing...

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Puerto Rico Approves Utility Plan with Microgrid Mandate

Elisa Wood, Microgrid Knowledge Summary After two years of debate and planning, Puerto Rico finally appears positioned to re-create its electric grid with microgrids and renewable energy, mandated in a new utility integrated resource plan (IRP). The mandate came from the Puerto Rico...