Energy
Business Wire | October 19, 2023
Power Integrations™ the leader in high-voltage integrated circuits for energy-efficient power conversion, is providing advanced PowiGaN™ gallium-nitride (GaN) technology, expert design support, and financial sponsorship for Team aCentauri in the 3,000 km Bridgestone World Solar Challenge later this month. Power Integrations’ Mr. Green will follow Team aCentauri and the 37 other entrants across the Australian Outback as they push the boundaries of innovation in efficiency, aerodynamics, speed and range for solar-powered cars.
said Trevor Hiatt, director of marketing at Power Integrations.
After studying Power Integrations’ extensive list of reference designs, Team aCentauri asked us to help them design a power converter based on the 750-volt, InnoSwitch™3-EP with PowiGaN technology “With our IC and expert design support, the team not only boosted energy efficiency to 95.7 percent while the system operates at maximum power, but also improved efficiency by more than 50 percent while the system drives light loads – which is most of the time.
[Source – Business Wire]
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge begins in Darwin on October 22 and is expected to conclude in Adelaide on October 29. To follow the race, get stories about Team aCentauri and their car, and learn more Power Integrations’ energy efficient solutions, visit Mr. Green’s Blog, Power Integrations’ YouTube channel or follow and use hashtag #PowiGaNVan in social media.
About Power Integrations
Power Integrations, Inc. is a leading innovator in semiconductor technologies for high-voltage power conversion. The company’s products are key building blocks in the clean-power ecosystem, enabling the generation of renewable energy as well as the efficient transmission and consumption of power in applications ranging from milliwatts to megawatts.
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Energy
PR Newswire | October 04, 2023
Cordia, a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions, today announced that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire three microgrids and district energy systems in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from Essential Utilities, Inc. The acquisition is valued at $165 million.
The three energy systems included in the agreement are
The Pittsburgh International Airport Microgrid, the first of its kind, which allows the airport to operate independent of the electric grid thanks to a 21.25 MW natural gas power plant, making PIT one of the most resilient airports.
The district energy system at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) – Wexford Hospital, which provides the 160-bed hospital with all heating, cooling, and primary power needs via steam boilers, hot water boilers, chillers, and a 2.0 MW natural gas generator, along with emergency backup power. The Allegheny County District Energy System, which provides efficient and resilient steam and hot water services to six government buildings including the
Allegheny County Courthouse and City-County Building, using seven state-of-the-art steam boilers and one domestic water heater.
"We are excited to acquire these three energy systems,"
said Cordia CEO Earl Collins.
They are a perfect fit for our portfolio and will help us to further our mission of providing safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to our customers. We look forward to working with the Pittsburgh International Airport, Allegheny Health Network, and Allegheny County teams to ensure a smooth transition and continue providing excellent service to their customers.
[Source: PR Newswire]
The acquisition is a strategic move for Cordia. The acquisition expands the firm's presence in the Pittsburgh region where it currently operates energy systems in Pittsburgh's Uptown and North Shore neighborhoods, and the on-campus energy system for Duquesne University. Cordia's assets have been operating in the region since 1964, and its existing investments in the area allow Cordia to deliver the most efficient solutions to its customers. This acquisition is a testament to Cordia's commitment to growing its regional presence and building on its existing customer base.
The three energy systems were developed by Essential subsidiary Peoples, leveraging Southwestern Pennsylvania's abundance of natural gas to deliver safer, more reliable and more resilient energy to some of the region's most critical institutions. All three began operating in 2021.
"Our teams at Peoples and Essential should be proud knowing their work to develop these innovative energy systems has made this region better," said Essential Utilities CEO & Chairman Chris Franklin. "Selling these unregulated assets to a skilled operator in Cordia allows us to focus more fully on our core business as a regulated utility."
"We are confident our customers will be in good hands with Cordia operating these energy systems," said Peoples President Mike Huwar. "Our team looks forward to providing clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to all three projects for years to come."
"This acquisition is a demonstration to Cordia's commitment to providing innovative energy solutions to our customers and growth in the Pittsburgh area," said Collins. "We are proud to be a part of this community and continue to work with our partners to build a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Pittsburgh."
The transaction is subject to various closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in late 2023 or early 2024.
About Cordia
Cordia is a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Cordia serves over 700 customers with heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the U.S. Cordia is committed to driving change toward a more resilient, sustainable energy future and empowering people and communities to reach their full potential. Learn more at www.cordiaenergy.com.
About Essential
Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.
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Energy
PR Newswire | October 17, 2023
CPower Energy the leading, national Distributed Energy Resource (DER) monetization and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) provider, announced its support of the Missouri Public Service Commission's ("the Commission") decision to spur the development of VPPs in Missouri. The Commission's Order allows commercial and industrial customers across all of Missouri's investor-owned utilities to work with VPP providers to participate in demand response programs available from the state's two regional grid operators, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and the Southwest Power Pool.
Last week's action follows two years of investigation into the benefits associated with allowing DERs to play a more active role in meeting Missouri's future energy needs with increasing adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy and grid-interactive smart appliances. CPower actively participated in the proceeding that resulted in the recent Order, and looks forward to working with the Commission and Missouri utilities to continue bringing innovative solutions to customers.
The decision is a win for Missouri's energy users, businesses and utilities as well as the environment. By expanding access to wholesale demand response programs, Missouri will create new revenue streams for businesses while increasing energy reliability by diversifying the types of assets available to respond to the needs of the grid. This in turn will help lower carbon emissions and will help keep energy costs low by helping the state manage its growing energy demand, using customers' demand flexibility to reduce the need to build new energy infrastructure.
"We applaud the Missouri Public Service Commission for its leadership in being the first MISO state with a traditional regulatory model to allow VPP providers and customers to contribute to grid reliability. This is innovation in action as a direct result of advances in public policy," said Peter Dotson-Westphalen, Senior Director – Regulatory & Government Affairs, CPower. "We've worked with many of the utilities in Missouri and in other jurisdictions and look forward to helping them leverage this new tool to deliver enhanced value and energy reliability to Missouri customers."
States across the Midwest are working to develop regulatory frameworks for DERs, such as demand response, in response to potential energy capacity shortfalls in coming years and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 2222.
said Ken Schisler, Senior Vice President – Regulatory & Government Affairs, CPower.
We hope other Midwest states will take a look at what Missouri is doing to unlock the benefits of VPPs. By taking similar steps, the entire region can improve reliability and resiliency and foster a more sustainable and efficient grid across America's Heartland.
[Source: PR Newswire]
About CPower Energy
CPower Energy is the leading, national DER monetization and virtual power plant provider, creating the Customer-Powered Grid™ that will enable a flexible, clean and dependable energy future. With 6.3 GW of capacity at nearly 20,000 sites across the U.S., we unlock the full value of distributed energy resources to strengthen the grid when and where reliable, dispatchable resources are needed most. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment, and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector.
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Solar+Storage
EVLO Energy Storage Inc. | October 09, 2023
EVLO Energy Storage Inc., a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec and a prominent provider of fully integrated battery energy storage systems, has recently announced a significant development. EVLO has entered into an equipment supply agreement with SolarBank Corporation, an independent developer specializing in renewable energy projects, particularly in distributed and community solar initiatives. This agreement entails the provision of EVLOFLEX battery energy storage systems (BESS) for three of SolarBank's engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects situated in Ontario.
Dr. Richard Lu, Chief Executive Officer of SolarBank, commented,
We are pleased to move forward on constructing our first energy storage projects with EVLO, a leader in the Canadian battery storage industry.
[Source – Business Wire]
He further mentioned that their main concerns revolved around safety and durability and expressed confidence that the EVLOFLEX would meet both of these criteria.
These projects, strategically located within the province of Ontario, mark an expansion of SolarBank's growing renewable energy construction portfolio across both Canada and the United States. EVLO's contribution to each of these projects will consist of a 5 MW / 20 MWh EVLOFLEX system.
SolarBank is overseeing the construction of these projects on behalf of Solar Flow-Through Funds, two First Nations communities, and a third-party developer in Ontario. These projects have received the green light from Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) under the province's Expedited Long-Term 1 (E-LT1) Reliability Procurement program for battery storage solutions.
The projects are poised to enhance grid reliability by actively participating in Ontario's capacity markets strategically injecting power into the grid during peak demand hours to effectively manage energy consumption in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner. Beyond bolstering grid reliability, participation in the IESO capacity market opens doors to new revenue-generating opportunities. The commissioning of the BESS for these three projects is anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2025.
About EVLO Energy Storage Inc.
EVLO Energy Storage Inc. is a leading provider of fully integrated battery energy storage systems and solutions. As a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, North America's largest renewable energy producer, EVLO offers utility-scale systems, advanced control software, and comprehensive commissioning, monitoring, and system management services, all of which deliver exceptional performance, safety, and reliability. EVLO's world-class solutions are backed by decades of research and development, and its dedicated team of industry experts is passionate about collaborating with customers to create a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
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