3 Mar 2016

Microgrids and Regulation with Chris Villarreal – Episode 30 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by | Date: 3 Mar 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

With the release of ILSR’s new report, “Mighty Microgrids,” ILSR is releasing two podcasts with the developers and regulators of microgrids in the United States. This is the second podcast.
In 2014, Chris Villarreal helped write the white paper, Microgrids: A Regulatory Perspective. As a regulatory analyst with the California Public Utilities Commission, he outlined the regulatory questions of microgrid development at a time when the state was mulling over how to allow more distributed, renewable energy come onto the grid.… Read More
3 Mar 2016

Report: Mighty Microgrids

by | Date: 3 Mar 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Communities all over the country are finding ways to break the macro barriers to microgrids. As we flip from a top-down to bottom-up grid management structure, major policy barriers must be lifted in order to expand energy democracy to customers and producers.… Read More
3 Mar 2016

Clean Coalition’s Community Microgrids – Episode 29 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by | Date: 3 Mar 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Most microgrids today are single buildings that rely on diesel generators to run when the grid is out. They’re simple backup, redundant power.

But some more advanced microgrids, such as the Clean Coalition’s planned community microgrids, are looking into the future, when multiple sources of generation can support a community of homes and businesses.

In anticipation of the release of ILSR’s new report, “Mighty Microgrids,” ILSR is releasing two podcasts with the developers, regulators, and practitioners of microgrids in the United States today. This is the first.… Read More
13 Jan 2016

Just How Democratic are Rural Electric Cooperatives?

by | Date: 13 Jan 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Randy Wilson knew you had to start somewhere. Knocking on doors and hanging around retail store parking lots, he and volunteers from the citizen group Kentuckians for the Commonwealth collected signatures. After weeks of holding out clipboards, they collected the more than 500 signatures needed to run for the board of the Jackson Energy Cooperative in … Read More
6 Oct 2015

Report: Hawai’i at the Energy Crossroads

by and | Date: 6 Oct 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On the one hand: Sky-high electricity prices. A 20th century electricity system burning fuel oil and controlled by large monopoly electric utilities. A proposed utility takeover. On the other hand: A new 100% renewable energy standard. Rooftop solar on one of ten homes, saving each customer hundreds of dollars per year. Cost-effective energy storage. A rising interest in locally controlled utilities. Welcome to Hawai’i at the Energy Crossroads.… Read More
4 Aug 2015

To Lease or To Own: Simplified Solar Calculator

by | Date: 4 Aug 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Now simplified, the new solar lease calculator is here. Just enter in your zip code, electric utility, and solar array size. Then set the terms of your loan or lease to see how solar ownership stacks up against third-party options. Purchase (cash): Customer owns the PV system from day one, pays upfront with cash Purchase (loan): Customer owns … Read More

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