Midwest Solar Explosion with Christian Roselund

In 2009, the Tunisian government adopted “Plan Solaire Tunisien” or Tunisia Solar Plan to achieve 4.7 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 which includes the use of solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating systems and solar concentrated power units, implemented by STEG.

In many countries, integrating significant renewable energy to the grid requires new transmission to access the best wind and solar resources and accommodate generation from large projects. The renewable energy zone (REZ) approach provides a policy framework for planning new transmission to encourage utility-scale renewable energy development in areas that have the highest likelihood of being cost-effective. This webinar introduced the REZ approach, including the value of REZ to a power system, crucial components of the REZ process, technical approach to defining REZs using geospatial analysis, and case studies to highlight examples and key lessons for implementing REZ in other parts of the world.

The mission is clear: we must accelerate the shift to zero-carbon energy systems in order to slash emissions and mitigate global warming. But this mission IS possible: renewable energy costs are tumbling and new approaches to energy management such as battery storage and demand response are offering new ways for organisations to operate more sustainably.

This presentation is one in a series on financing tools and examining the role of state clean energy funds as equity investors in emerging clean energy companies. Guest speakers addressed the following questions: 1) when and why it is appropriate for a ratepayer-supported clean energy fund to invest in clean energy business; 2) should a fund do this on its own, outsource its investments to a private venture capital firm; or invest in a clean energy vc or private equity fund; 3) where can limited state investment dollars be most effective and best complement private venture capital activities. In this webinar, Lauren Burrows (Massachusetts Clean Energy Center) reviewed MassCEC's mission and its role in advancing clean technology and creating jobs in the clean energy sector.