1) Avangrid seeks delay in contract decision, citing cost increases. Utilities say no, and Gov Baker says time to talk, but do not re-open procurement.
2) US Bureau of Ocean Energy Mgmt finalizes two Gulf of Mexico offshore wind energy areas at over 680,000 acres off TX & LA.Â
3) Renewables stumble in Q3, w/only 3,400 MW of capacity commissioned, & 14,000 MW of projects delayed. Solar supply chains a key challenge. Only battery storage installations thrive, up 227% YOY.Â
4) Google to ink 942 MW PPA w/SB Energy from four SB TX-based solar projects, using First Solar's thin film panels, supplying Google's Midlothian, TX Data Center by mid 2024.Â
5) DTE Electric files IRP w/$9 bn for 4,400 MW of solar, 1,000 MW of wind & 760 MW of battery storage over next decade. Also to convert 2 coal units at 1,270 MW Belle River Power Plant to gas by 2025/2026, and retire 2 more coal units totaling 1,535 MW in 2028.Â
6) Xcel Energy to quit coal across 8-state territory by 2030, hasten closure of coal units at 1,067 MW Tolk station in TX by 2028, 4 years early, replace asset w/wind & solar.Â
7) SunPower, U of California, Schneider Electric, SoCal Ed work w/KB Home on energy-smart connected communities in CA. 219 all-electric residences to be solar powered w/SunPower solar and 13 kWh battery systems connected to a micro grid with its own shared larger community battery.Â
8) TX PUC OKs 80 MW DER pilot, w/state utilities participating. Customers w/gen, storage, & controllable load < 1 MW can play in wholesale markets.Â
9) SunRun to develop 17 MW VPP in Puerto Rico from 7,000 residential solar & storage installations, to minimize outages and improve power quality on grid.Â
10 EV charging co Wallbox commissions plant in Texas, to produce over 250,000 units in 2022 and 1 million by 2030. Wallbox demonstrates 400 kW fast DC charger offering 100 miles of range in five minutes.