California Energy Commission Taking Steps To Commercialize Microgrids In State
The California Energy Commission is hosting a workshop to begin developing a roadmap to help commercialize microgrids in California Wednesday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific time). The workshop will introduce a proposed work scope and describe the process for developing a coordinated California state agency roadmap for the commercialization of microgrids in California.
The CEC has already identified existing interconnection technology, communication and control technology, and regulatory constructs that hinder the planning, development and deployment of microgrids in a July 2015 Report, and now seeks broad support to remove those barriers and support microgrid development.
Representatives from the Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) will discuss how stakeholders including utilities, microgrid owners developers and manufacturers can help address barriers hindering the wide-scale deployment of microgrid technologies.
California is looking to diversify their energy mix in the face of a potential shortage of natural gas this summer. Like New York, California hopes microgrids can help reach high levels of variable renewable energy while battling the famous duck curve, which will require a better alignment of supply and demand. Microgrids can provide valuable flexibility to the utility grid by absorbing grid energy when it’s cheap, and exporting when it’s expensive.
According the the CEC, microgrids can be used to support facilities with critical energy needs like military installations, hospitals, industrial complexes or university campuses. Many incorporate clean energy resources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and have the ability to store energy using batteries and other technologies.
Microgrids are important in meeting California’s energy goals because they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support grid reliability and facilitate higher levels of distributed generation.
Those who cannot attend can call in or participate in discussion through WebEx (instructions are located in the meeting notice).
California Energy Commission 1516 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA
More information and instructions for participating remotely can be found in the workshop notice.
About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. The agency was established by the California Legislature through the Warren-Alquist Act in 1974. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.
