Welcome back to my solar blog! Today, I’d like to delve into an exciting, new initiative that aims to speed up the roll out of distributed energy resources (DERs) across the United States. DERs are resources associated with the distribution system near the load, including solar, microgrids, energy storage, electric vehicles and more. As a solar expert, I see enormous potential in DERs to revolutionize the way we generate and consume energy.
A remarkable initiative started by The Pew Charitable Trusts centers on expediting clean energy deployment, pushing the boundaries of grid modernization, and utilizing nature-based solutions to absorb carbon. This is an essential part of their broader U.S. climate initiatives.
As citizens from more than 60 nations gear up to elect their leaders in the coming months, there’s a growing emphasis on how communities can help accelerate clean energy deployment, all while boosting local economies. This presents a significant opportunity for solar companies to make a real change while actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, this bipartisan initiative plans to construct a roadmap detailing how the U.S. can speed up the growth of DERs. This collaborative effort will involve industry and regulatory experts, equity and community-centered organizations, and utility representatives. The aim is to provide policymakers with the tools needed to scale the use of DERs and offer communities the resources necessary to guarantee equitable access to financial and environmental benefits.
To illustrate this, let’s examine a few examples. In Humboldt County, California, three solar-plus-storage microgrids are transforming a 142-mile-long distribution circuit that serves three tribes. The deployment of these microgrids is expected to cut down outage hours significantly, approximately by 90%. This is a practical example of what solar panels for your home or a solar array for your home can achieve in terms of reliability and cost efficiency.
Alternatively, let’s look at North Carolina. Following the catastrophic Hurricane Helene, several non-profits and solar companies are assisting severely affected areas by implementing solar and battery microgrids. The deployment of these DERs helps power essential devices, demonstrating the reliable and versatile nature of solar energy in times of crisis.
In conclusion, the clear value of DERs within microgrids makes them an imperative solution for our future energy needs. As a fervent supporter of the solar industry, I am extremely optimistic about the prospects that this initiative, and many others like it, offers. Solar power is not only shaping the future of energy production but also democratising it, making it accessible to all. The role of solar companies in this revolution cannot be overstated, and it’s an exciting time to be part of this rapidly burgeoning industry. Stay tuned to this blog for more insights and updates from the world of solar!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/10/10/bipartisan-initiative-to-accelerate-deployment-of-distributed-energy-resources-in-u-s/
