RMEL eNews

Industry Information

U.S. Army Develops Tools to Forecast Risk of Potential Infrastructure Failure

With about 740 dams and associated structures to operate and maintain, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has developed a systemwide approach for assessing risk in flood risk management watersheds.

Visit https://hydroreview.com/dams-and-civil-structures/dam-safety/u-s-army-develops-tools-to-forecast-risk-of-potential-infrastructure-failure/ to view the full article online.

Robot Worms, Lasers, Drones and AI: How ARPA-E Wants to Move the US Power Grid Underground

The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday announced $34 million in funding to support a dozen projects focused on improving the nation’s power resilience by moving some grid infrastructure underground. The projects span 11 states, and are being developed by small and large businesses, national labs, and universities.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/DOE-explores-moving-power-lines-underground/704637/ to view the full article online.

25 SMR License Applications Expected by 2029, Plus Six Other Takeaways from FERC, NRC Joint Meeting

Grid reliability and small modular reactors were key topics at a biennial meeting between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Here are seven takeaways from the meeting.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-nerc-joint-meeting-smr-nuclear-black-start/705708/ to view the full article online.

As Wildfires Losses Mount, Will Commercial Insurers Decline to Cover Utilities?

Insurance analysts say the growing risk of severe wildfires due to climate change, and a shifting legal landscape that increasingly holds utilities accountable for the damages caused by these conflagrations, has indeed changed the calculus that goes into a utility’s liability insurance policy.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/wildfire-utility-grid-insurance-climate-pge-xcel-hawaiian-electric/703178/ to view the full article online.

Energy Transition Investments Hit Record $1.8 Trillion In 2023

Global investment in the energy transition increased 17% in 2023, reaching a new high of $1.8 trillion, according to a new report from BloombergNEF (BNEF). The report, Energy Transition Investment Trends 2024, finds that electrified transport is now the largest sector for spending in the energy transition, growing 36% in 2023 to $634 billion.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/news/energy-transition-investments-hit-record-1-8-trillion-in-2023/ to view the full article online.

FEMA to Help Communities Pay for Net-Zero Energy Projects Post-Disaster

Communities can now use three Federal Emergency Management Agency grant programs to fund net-zero energy projects when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure after a disaster.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/fema-funds-net-zero-energy-projects-solar-heat-pumps-rebuild-disaster/706321/ to view the full article online.

China-Linked Hackers Primed to Attack US Critical Infrastructure, Including the Electric Grid: FBI Director

State-linked hackers, backed by the People’s Republic of China, are actively positioned to attack critical infrastructure providers in the U.S., FBI Director Christopher Wray told a House committee.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/fbi-china-hackers-us-critical-infrastructure/706423/ to view the full article online.

Why a Smarter and Bigger Grid Guarantees Green Energy Growth

The United States economy is sprinting, adding 353,000 jobs in January — a 3.7% unemployment rate. The CHIPSHIPS 0.0% Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act are spurring investment nationwide, leading to new green enterprises. Can the transmission and distribution network handle the increased traffic?

Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2024/02/05/why-a-smarter-and-bigger-grid-guarantees-green-energy-growth/?ss=energy&sh=60a177b43028 to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

SRP Named One of Forbes-America’s 2023 Best-in-State Employers

Salt River Project (SRP) has been included on the Forbes list of America’s Best-in-State Employers 2023, ranking 6th in Arizona. America's Best-in-State Employers 2023 were identified based on 2.1 million employer recommendations from employees working for companies with more than 500 employees in the United States.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/srp-named-one-of-forbes-americas-2023-best-in-state-employers/ to view the full article online.

CPS Energy Marks Addition of 150 Mw of Solar Energy to Generation Portfolio

CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Genesis Consolidated Industries Holdings (GCI) for a 150 megawatt (MW) solar project called “Exodus 1.” The solar farm will be located in Caldwell County, Texas.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-marks-addition-of-150-mw-of-solar-energy-to-generation-portfolio/ to view the full article online.

NPPD Announces Final Line Route for Norfolk-Stanton North Project

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has finalized the route for the Norfolk-Stanton North Project, which will provide a necessary path for a new 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between two local substations. “We are grateful for the active participation at our open houses and public hearings,” says NPPD Project Manager Paul Brune.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/nppd-announces-final-line-route-for-norfolk-stanton-north-project to view the full article online.

Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources Completes Acquisition of Renewable Natural Gas Production Facility in Iowa

The acquisition of the production facility at the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency site includes onsite infrastructure and the rights to RNG production at the landfill under a long-term contract. The facility currently injects RNG into the natural gas distribution system serving Dubuque, which is owned and operated by Black Hills Corp.’s regulated natural gas utility in Iowa.

Visit https://ir.blackhillscorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/black-hills-energy-renewable-resources-completes-acquisition to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric Announces the Second Expansion of its Texas Community Solar Program

El Paso Electric (EPE) officially broke ground on construction of a 10 megawatt (MW) solar facility for its successful Texas Community Solar program. In its commitment to provide accessible renewable energy to all, this second expansion of this program will allow for an additional 5,000 customers to subscribe to solar energy.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/el-paso-electric-announces-the-second-expansion-of-its-texas-community-solar-program to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy Advances Clean Energy Transition with New Upper Midwest Energy Plan

Under the proposal, carbon emissions reductions are expected to exceed 80% by 2030, potentially reaching up to 88%. This positions the company well to meet Minnesota’s new carbon-free standard for 2040 and continues on a path to achieving the clean energy goals of all Upper Midwest states it serves.

Visit https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/about/newsroom/press-release/xcel-energy-advances-clean-energy-transition-with-new-upper-midwest-energy-plan-MCQCZBJVDDGFGV3DJALA3ECHRRZQ to view the full article online.

White Paper

Using Idle Trucks to Power the Grid with Clean Energy

Researchers are tapping into idled electric vehicles to act as mobile generators and help power overworked and aging electricity grids. After analyzing energy demand on Alberta's power grid during rush hour, the research proposes an innovative way to replenish electrical grids with power generated from fuel cells in trucks.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240113141243.htm to view the full article online.

Space Solar Power Project Ends First In-Space Mission with Successes and Lessons

One year ago, Caltech's Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD-1) launched into space to demonstrate and test three technological innovations that are among those necessary to make space solar power a reality.

Visit https://sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240117143613.htm to view the full article online.

Next-Generation Batteries Could Go Organic, Cobalt-Free for Long-Lasting Power

In the switch to 'greener' energy sources, the demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is surging. However, their cathodes typically contain cobalt -- a metal whose extraction has high environmental and societal costs. Now, researchers in report evaluating an earth-abundant, carbon-based cathode material that could replace cobalt and other scarce and toxic metals without sacrificing lithium-ion battery performance.

Visit https://sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240118122137.htm to view the full article online.

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