RMEL eNews

Alltricity Network Member Information

Join Alltricity Network Groups on LinkedIn

The association's trusted network is accessible on LinkedIn. Working side-by-side in a cooperative manner, Alltricity Network members band together for the common goal of bettering the industry and improving service for utility customers. For more than 120 years, these key principles have proven successful and, more importantly, are tried-and-true methods for building strong business relationships.

Alltricity Network Champions is a prestigious group of Alltricity Network supporters with access to useful and beneficial promotional opportunities. Thank you, 2024 Alltricity Network Champions!

Visit https://www.alltricitynetwork.org/page/RMELChampions to view the full article online.

Industry Information

US Coal Stockpiles Hit Highest Levels Since 2020

(Brown coal power plant. Image by jvdwolf on 123rf)
Coal stockpiles at U.S. electric power plants totaled 138 million short tons at the end of May, the most since the first half of 2020 when the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced electricity demand and coal consumption, according to analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/coal/us-coal-stockpiles-hit-highest-levels-since-2020/ to view the full article online.

U.S. Power Grid Added 20.2 GW of Generating Capacity in the First Half of 2024

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, developers and power plant owners added 20.2 GW of utility-scale electric generating capacity in the U.S. during H1 2024, 3.6 GW (21%) more as compared to the capacity added during H1 2023.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/grid-innovations/generation-and-renewables/news/55134981/us-power-grid-added-202-gw-of-generating-capacity-in-the-first-half-of-2024 to view the full article online.

Southwest Power Pool Seeks FERC OK to Delay 2024 Interconnection Queue Process

The Southwest Power Pool asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday for permission to delay its 2024 interconnection queue cluster study process and stop accepting new interconnection requests until there is “greater certainty” surrounding pending interconnection study clusters.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/southwest-power-pool-spp-ferc-delay-interconnection-queue/725212/ to view the full article online.

Geothermal East of The Rockies? Meta and Sage Team Up to Feed Data Centers

Houston-based geothermal startup Sage Geosystems and the artist formerly known as Facebook, Meta Platforms, have announced a new agreement to deliver up to 150 MW of new geothermal baseload power to support the latter’s data center growth. The deal would be the first use of next-generation geothermal power east of the Rocky Mountains, the companies said, without revealing its precise location. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational in 2027.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/baseload/geothermal/geothermal-east-of-the-rockies-meta-and-sage-team-up-to-feed-data-centers/ to view the full article online.

Solar Cell Manufacturer Halts $400M Colorado Plant

The solar cell manufacturer decided to reduce the scale of its debt financing plans, tied to the Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower the funds available for construction and decrease its medium-term profitability targets, according to the company.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-cell-manufacturer-meyer-burger-colorado-plant/725465/ to view the full article online.

More than 40% of Global Electricity was Carbon-Free in 2023

A pair of new reports published by BloombergNEF (BNEF) include an impressive milestone: for the first time, more than 40% of global electricity came from zero-carbon sources in 2023. Hydropower accounted for 14.7%, wind and solar combined for nearly 14% (a new record), and nuclear 9.4%.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/more-than-40-of-global-electricity-was-carbon-free-in-2023/ to view the full article online.

New Tool to Advance Hydropower Plant Cybersecurity Through AI

The data-driven and hardware-agnostic Cybersecurity Situational Awareness Tool for Hydropower (CYSAT-Hydro) is emerging amid two significant storylines in the energy world. The first is the rapid growth of internet-connected distributed energy resources that can be integrated with large generation sources like hydroelectric plants and could create cybersecurity risks for those plants’ digital interfaces on the grid. The second is high-profile cyberattacks targeting energy systems.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/technology-and-equipment/controls-and-automation/new-tool-to-advance-hydropower-plant-cybersecurity-through-ai/ to view the full article online.

US Clean Energy Jobs Grew 4.2% in 2023: DOE

Clean energy jobs increased by 142,000 last year, more than doubling the employment growth rate in the broader U.S. economy and the rest of the energy sector, the Department of Energy said in an annual assessment of the sector’s employment.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/clean-energy-employment-jobs-growth-doe-report/725456/ to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Dakota Gas and Antelope Valley Station Celebrate 40 Years of Service

Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant and Antelope Valley Station are celebrating 40 years of operation. On July 28, 1984, natural gas made synthetically from lignite began flowing from the Synfuels Plant into the nation’s interstate pipeline system, and in August, 1984, Unit 1 at Antelope Valley Station began commercial operation.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/News-Center/news-briefs/Dakota-Gas-and-Antelope-Valley-Station-celebrate-40-years-of-service to view the full article online.

TEP Will Build New Battery System to Support Reliability

TEP’s 200-megawatt (MW) Roadrunner Reserve II system will store 800 megawatt hours of energy, enough to serve approximately 42,000 homes for four hours when deploying at full capacity. The system is scheduled to begin operation in early 2026, a year after the similarly sized Roadrunner Reserve energy storage system begins operating on the same site.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/tep-will-build-new-battery-system-to-support-reliability/ to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric Signs Multi-Year Manufacturing Agreement with KP Electric

El Paso Electric (EPE) is excited to announce the signing of a multi-year manufacturing agreement with KP Electric, a South Korean leading provider of electrical equipment. This strategic partnership will allow us to secure a reliable supply of high-demand transformers, ensuring that customers continue to receive the reliable and uninterrupted service they depend on.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/el-paso-electric-signs-multi-year-manufacturing-agreement-with-kp-electric to view the full article online.

Evergy Appoints W. Bryan Buckler Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG) announced W. Bryan Buckler will become the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective October 1, 2024. As chief financial officer, Buckler will be responsible for Evergy’s corporate finance functions, including treasury, accounting, planning, tax, internal audit, capital allocation and investor relations.

Visit https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-appoints-w-bryan-buckler-executive-vice-president-and to view the full article online.

CPS Energy Secures 350 MW of Future Battery Energy Storage for Generation Portfolio

CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has entered into two storage capacity agreements (SCAs) with Eolian L.P. (Eolian) for a total of 350 megawatts (MW) of battery energy storage, adding to a 50 MW SCA signed with Eolian in 2023, as the utility continues the execution of its Vision 2027 generation plan.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/350-mw-of-battery-energy-storage/ to view the full article online.

Austin Energy Announces Full Deployment of AI-Driven Early Wildfire Detection System

The Pano AI system integrates 13 ultra-high-definition, 360-degree cameras, artificial intelligence and real-time data monitoring to swiftly detect and verify potential wildfires. Once a fire is identified, the system automatically alerts Austin Energy and local fire departments, providing precise location data and real-time imagery to help first responders in their efforts to quickly address and contain the threat.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/about/news/news-releases/2024/austin-energy-announces-full-deployment-of-ai-driven-early-wildfire-detection-system to view the full article online.

White Paper

Sharing Risk to Avoid Power Outages in an Era of Extreme Weather

Heat waves, droughts, and fires place growing stress on the West's electric grid. New research suggests that more integrated management of electricity resources across the region could significantly reduce the risk of power outages and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240820221859.htm to view the full article online.

NREL Advances Method for Recyclable Wind Turbine Blades

Researchers see a realistic path forward to the manufacture of bio-derivable wind blades that can be chemically recycled and the components reused, ending the practice of old blades winding up in landfills at the end of their useful life.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240827140705.htm to view the full article online.

Insights from Satellite Data Pave the Way to Better Solar Power Generation

Fluctuations in solar radiation are a problem for solar power plants as they cause problems in the power grid and other reliability issues. In a recent study, scientists aimed to deepen our understanding of variations in solar irradiance in time and space over the Asia Pacific region by analyzing satellite data. Their findings provide valuable insights that could help us optimize the position of future solar power plants.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240827104945.htm to view the full article online.

Researchers Unveil Scalable Graphene Technology to Revolutionize Battery Safety and Performance

Researchers have developed a pioneering technique for producing large-scale graphene current collectors. This breakthrough promises to significantly enhance the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), addressing a critical challenge in energy storage technology.

Visit https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240829131649.htm to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League