RMEL eNews

Propelling the Transition: Digitization Bolsters Utility Rate Cases, Boosts Drive to Future-Proof

Increasing digitization in the power sector is creating reams of data as utilities add finer sensors and new communications technology on top of existing controls, according to industry consultants, executives and vendors.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/propelling-the-transition-digitization-drives-utility-upgrades-bolsters-r/581965/ to view the full article online.

Pacific Northwest Looks to Avoid California-style Blackouts Through More Regional Coordination

The blackouts rolling across California this month are the first of their kind for that state since 2001, when a drought that severely reduced production from hydroelectric plants in the Pacific Northwest was one of several factors that triggered the Western electricity crisis.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pacific-northwest-looks-to-avoid-california-style-blackouts-through-more-re/583844/ to view the full article online.

U.S. Agencies Sign Federal Hydropower Generation Memorandum of Understanding

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technology Office and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a federal hydropower generation memorandum of understanding at Hoover Dam.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/2020/08/24/u-s-agencies-sign-federal-hydropower-generation-memorandum-of-understanding/ to view the full article online.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells to be Deployed at 1 Military Hospital for COVID-19 Recovery

Last week, South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) unveiled seven hydrogen fuel cell systems that will be used as the primary power source for a field hospital in Pretoria, South Africa as part of the government’s response to COVID-19.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/2020/08/24/u-s-agencies-sign-federal-hydropower-generation-memorandum-of-understanding/ to view the full article online.

Department of Energy Selects Additional Project to Enable Near-Zero Water Consumption of Power Plants

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) selected one additional project to receive approximately $1.5 million in federal funding for cost-shared research and development under the second closing of funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002001.000001, Crosscutting Research for Coal-Fueled Power Plants.

Visit https://www.energy.gov/fe/articles/department-energy-selects-additional-project-enable-near-zero-water-consumption-power to view the full article online.

FERC Extends Pandemic Emergency Waivers

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) extended through January 29, 2021, two pandemic emergency-related waivers that were to expire September 1, in an effort to provide continued safety and flexibility for the public and the companies the Commission regulates.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/t-d/56/850737/ferc-extends-pandemic-emergency-waivers.html to view the full article online.

In the First Half of 2020, About 5 Bcf/d of Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity Entered Service

Between January and early July 2020, approximately 5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of new pipeline capacity entered service in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Natural Gas Pipeline Project Tracker.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=44856 to view the full article online.

Manitoba Transmission Project Rises Above It All

Despite a global pandemic and other challenges, Manitoba Hydro commissioned a 502-tower transmission line in June 2020.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/overhead-transmission/article/21138049/minnesota-transmission-project-completed-in-june-2020 to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Construction Begins on Pflugerville Solar Project, Edging Austin Energy Closer to Renewable Energy Goals

Construction began this week on the Pflugerville Solar Project, a utility-scale solar project with 144 megawatts of capacity, approved by the Austin City Council in 2018.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/news-releases/2020/construction-begins-on-pflugerville-solar-project-edging-austin-energy-closer-to-renewable-energy-goals to view the full article online.

CPS Energy to Add Historic Amount of Renewable Energy to Portfolio

CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned, fully-integrated electric and gas utility in the United States, is taking a significant step to diversify its generation portfolio and meet the energy demands of one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-to-add-historic-amount-of-renewable-energy-to-portfolio-2/ to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric Launches First-Ever Energy Efficiency Marketplace and offers a new Smart Thermostat Program with $25 Incentive to Enroll

El Paso Electric (EPE) announced the EP Electric Marketplace, the first-ever online store with popular energy efficiency items with an instant rebate taken off at time of purchase.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/el-paso-electric-launches-first-ever-energy-efficiency-marketplace-and-offers-a-new-smart-thermostat-program-with-25-incentive-to-enroll to view the full article online.

Paragould, Evergy Announce Solar Energy Agreement

Paragould Light Water and Cable will partner with Evergy to provide solar power to the Paragould, Ark., community. Evergy was selected through an RFP process that was conducted by GDS Associates to build a new solar array that will generate 1.44 megawatts of energy.

Visit https://investors.evergy.com/index.php/news-releases/news-release-details/paragould-evergy-announce-solar-energy-agreement to view the full article online.

Recent Grant Enables LES to Offer fFrst EV Rebate

Lincoln Electric System has received a grant of $120,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for its “Electric Vehicle Public Engagement and Rebate Program.”

Visit https://www.les.com/about-les/news/view?article_id=120702 to view the full article online.

Norfolk Solar Facility, Battery Energy Storage System Ready to go with Aim at Being in Operation in Late 2021

The sun is shining on the City of Norfolk as it will be the latest Nebraska municipality to become part of Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD) SunWise Community Solar program.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/norfolk-solar-facility-battery-energy-storage-system-ready-to-go-with-aim-at-being-in-operation-in-late-2021 to view the full article online.

OPPD’S Resource Planning Efforts Ensure Customers Maintain Excellent Service Well Into the Future

Omaha Public Power District is working hard to ensure continued delivery of affordable, reliable and environmentally sensitive energy services for its customers in the short-term and long into the future.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2020/august/oppd-s-resource-planning-efforts-ensure-customers-maintain-excellent-service-well-into-the-future/ to view the full article online.

PacifiCorp WestSmart EV@Scale Project Awarded $6.6 Million to Develop Electric Vehicle Ecosystems

The Department of Energy Vehicle Technology Office announced funding earlier this month for 55 projects to advance vehicle technologies, including PacifiCorp’s WestSmart EV@Scale, which will receive a $6.6 million award as one of the largest funded projects.

Visit https://www.pacificorp.com/about/newsroom/news-releases/pacificorp-westsmart-ev-scale-project-awarded-6-million-to-develop-electric-vehicle-ecosystems.html to view the full article online.

Platte River IRP Deliberations to Resume

Platte River Power Authority will soon resume deliberations with its board of directors and take more public input concerning its 2020 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

Visit https://www.prpa.org/media-releases/platte-river-irp-deliberations-to-resume/ to view the full article online.

PNM Seeking Technology Proposals to Manage or Reduce Electric Demands

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) is taking another step to cost-effectively transition its resources portfolio to 100 percent emissions-free by soliciting proposals to manage or reduce customer electric demands.

Visit https://www.pnm.com/documents/396023/19699976/2020+Press+release+demand+side+management.pdf/3645b5e4-e195-c838-a19b-1ebf132d5f06?t=1597683125352 to view the full article online.

Salt River Project is the First Arizona Utility to Join Initiative to Accelerate Low-Carbon Energy Technologies

Salt River Project (SRP) is pleased to announce its participation as one of 18 anchor sponsors in the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative (LCRI), jointly led by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Gas Technology Institute (GTI).

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/salt-river-project-is-the-first-arizona-utility-to-join-initiative-to--accelerate-low-carbon-energy-technologies/ to view the full article online.

Tri-State Highlights Responsible Energy Plan, Strong Performance at 68th Annual Meeting

The continuing progress to implement its transformative Responsible Energy Plan, along with reports on strong operational and financial performance for 2019 and the election of officers, highlighted Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's 68th Annual Meeting, virtually held in Westminster, Colo.

Visit https://www.tristategt.org/tri-state-highlights-responsible-energy-plan-strong-performance-68th-annual-meeting to view the full article online.

Federal Hydropower Supports California Energy Emergency

Western Area Power Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation joined forces between Aug. 14 and 19 to generate and transmit roughly 5,400 megawatt-hours in response to California’s energy emergency.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsReleases/2020/Pages/hydropower-support-california.aspx to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy’s New Electric Vehicle Vision to Save Customers Billions While Delivering Cleaner Air

Xcel Energy, a national leader in the clean energy transition, announced today its vision to drive toward powering 1.5 million electric vehicles in its service areas by 2030.

Visit https://www.xcelenergy.com/company/media_room/news_releases/xcel_energy%E2%80%99s_new_electric_vehicle_vision_to_save_customers_billions_while_delivering_cleaner_air to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League