RMEL eNews

Industry Information

To Batteries and Beyond: Lithium-ion Dominates Utility Storage; Could Competing Chemistries Change That?

Back in 2012 and 2013, when Morten Lund, a partner at the law firm Stoel Rives, first began dropping in at energy storage technology conferences, he came across a wide variety of technologies on display.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/to-batteries-and-beyond-lithium-ion-dominates-utility-storage-could-compe/586527/ to view the full article online.

Pandemic frames IEA forecasts in World Energy Outlook

Amid deep disruption and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a surge in well-designed energy policies is needed to put the world on track for a resilient energy system that can meet climate goals.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/2020/10/13/pandemic-frames-iea-forecasts-in-world-energy-outlook/ to view the full article online.

U.S. Department of Energy Issues a Request for Information for Enhanced Weathering Research Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy, in collaboration with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Science, announced a request for information (RFI) about “enhanced weathering” research opportunities that could lead to advances in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Visit https://www.energy.gov/fe/articles/us-department-energy-issues-request-information-enhanced-weathering-research to view the full article online.

U.S. Energy Secretary Brouillette Applauds National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies

President Trump released the "National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies," which outlines how the United States will promote and protect our competitive edge in wide-ranging technologies that are critical to U.S. national security and our economic advantage.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/general/90/860793/u-s-energy-secretary-brouillette-applauds-national-strategy-for-critical-and-emerging-technologies.html to view the full article online.

Natural Gas Generators Make Up Largest Share of U.S. Electricity Generation Capacity

Based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) annual survey of electric generators, natural gas-fired generators accounted for 43% of operating U.S. electricity generating capacity in 2019.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45496 to view the full article online.

US Official: Nuclear Energy Can Attract More Supporters

The resurgence of interest in nuclear power as a clean energy source could be boosted by emphasizing how it would help humanity, the chairwoman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said

Visit https://www.power-grid.com/2020/10/15/us-official-nuclear-energy-can-attract-more-supporters/ to view the full article online.

FERC Removes Exemption for CSRPs from NYISO’s Buyer-Side Mitigation

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently announced New York’s Commercial System Distribution Load Relief Programs (CSRPs) would no longer be exempted from the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO’s) buyer-side mitigation.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/distributed-energy-resources/demand-side-management/article/21144568/ferc-removes-exemption-for-csrps-from-nyisos-buyerside-mitigation to view the full article online.

United Power Celebrates National Cooperative Month in October

Cooperatives are more than a local business. Not only do they provide the same products and services as their for-profit counterparts, they also go beyond the business, placing great emphasis on community involvement and the flourishing of its members.

Visit https://www.unitedpower.com/united-power-celebrates-national-cooperative-month-october to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Taking Charge: How Austin Energy Simultaneously Managed COVID-19 and a New Carbon Price Adder

In a bid to slash emissions, Austin Energy was just beginning to utilize a new carbon price adder when COVID-19 hit.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/taking-charge-how-austin-energy-simultaneously-managed-covid-19-and-a-new/586044/ to view the full article online.

The Jicarilla Apache Nation, City of Albuquerque and PNM Celebrate Groundbreaking of 50-MW Solar Project

A virtual Watch Party was held for the groundbreaking of the PNM Solar Direct universal solar field. Watch Party attendees got a glimpse of the 50-megawatt (MW) solar field located on 500 acres of Jicarilla Apache Nation land in northern New Mexico.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2020/10/16/the-jicarilla-apache-nation-city-of-albuquerque-and-pnm-celebrate-groundbreaking-of-50-mw-solar-project/ to view the full article online.

Dr. Scott Tinker to Deliver Keynote at Basin Electric Annual Meeting

Dr. Scott Tinker works to bring industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-briefs/dr-scott-tinker-deliver-keynote-basin-electric-annual-meeting to view the full article online.

Black Hills Corp. Receives FERC Approval for Wygen I Power Purchase Agreement

Black Hills Corp. announced that utility subsidiary Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Co., doing business as Black Hills Energy, and power generation subsidiary Black Hills Wyoming received approval of their joint application for a proposed 60-megawatt power purchase agreement from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Visit https://www.blackhillscorp.com/node/118199#.X4meIdVKi70 to view the full article online.

Paul Barham, Sr. VP Of EDS, CPS Energy, Takes The Helm As RMEL’s 2020-2021 President

RMEL is pleased to announce that Paul Barham, Sr. Vice President of Energy Delivery Services for CPS Energy, has been appointed RMEL President for 2020-2021.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/paul-barham-sr-vp-of-eds-cps-energy-takes-the-helm-as-rocky-mountain-electric-league-rmels-2020-2021-president/ to view the full article online.

Charging Towards Change: El Paso Electric Launches First-Ever Electric Vehicle Community Initiative Through Virtual Event

El Paso Electric (EPE) continues its trailblazing trend of promoting and advocating for the safe, clean and sustainable form of transportation with plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles (EV).

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/charging-towards-change-el-paso-electric-launches-first-ever-electric-vehicle-community-initiative-through-virtual-event to view the full article online.

OPPD Continues to Engage Communities on Generation Plans

Omaha Public Power District is making great strides in its plan to add utility-scale solar with natural gas backup, including continuing conversations with customers.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2020/october/oppd-continues-to-engage-communities-on-generation-plans/ to view the full article online.

PacifiCorp Reopening 15,000 Acres of Managed Wildlife Habitat Near Lewis River as Fire Danger Eases

With the area’s major fires no longer posing a threat, PacifiCorp has reopened the 15,000 acres of land adjacent to the company’s Lewis River reservoirs that are managed for wildlife habitat and are usually open for hunting in the fall.

Visit https://www.pacificorp.com/about/newsroom/news-releases/pacificorp-reopening-15000-acres-of-managed-wildlife-habitat-lewis-river.html to view the full article online.

PRPA DER Strategy Committee Seeks Public Input

Platte River Power Authority and its owner communities have formed a distributed energy resources (DER) strategy committee and are seeking public input to help create a roadmap for successful DER integration.

Visit https://www.prpa.org/news-releases/der-strategy-committee-seeks-public-input/ to view the full article online.

SRP Survey Finds Nearly 40% of Arizona EV Drivers say Charging Costs are Lower than Expected

SRP released the results from its Electric Vehicle (EV) Community survey completed by 1,269 SRP customers part of the SRP EV Community, conducted between Aug. 24 and Sept. 17, 2020.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/srp-survey-finds-nearly-40-of-arizona-ev-drivers-say-charging-costs-are-lower-than-expected/ to view the full article online.

Tri-State is Advancing Emissions Reduction Goals Outlined in our Responsible Energy Plan

In recent weeks, some have misinterpreted the 'business as usual' scenario in a resource assessment filing Tri-State made in June 2020 with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Visit https://www.tristategt.org/tri-state-advancing-emissions-reduction-goals-outlined-our-responsible-energy-plan to view the full article online.

Teaching Sustainability by Example

Kids are naturally curious explorers. So when it comes to teaching science, hands-on learning works best.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/teaching-sustainability-by-example/ to view the full article online.

WAPA's I2T Goes Virtual

All WAPA employees have had to adapt to a new working environment due to COVID-19. The Inclusion, Innovation and Technology team is no exception.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsFeatures/2020/Pages/I2T-goes-virtual-.aspx to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy completes Cheyenne Ridge Wind Project

Xcel Energy announced completion of a 500-megawatt wind farm that will provide enough energy to power about 270,000 homes in Colorado.

Visit https://www.xcelenergy.com/company/media_room/news_releases/xcel_energy_completes_cheyenne_ridge_wind_project to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League