Advanced Energy Perspectives

This week we saw eight states commit to putting 3.3 million new zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025. Governors from California, Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont signed an agreement on Thursday to adopt numerous measures to accelerate the spread of advanced vehicles. The agreements included upgrading building codes to make for easier installation of EV charging stations and a commitment to include zero emission vehicles in public fleets. The agreement would also support development of other alternative fuel vehicles, including hydrogen fueling stations.

On Thursday, California’s Public Utility Commission adopted a new energy storage mandate—the first in the nation. The mandate requires California’s investor-owned utilities – PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric – to expand their energy storage capacity. Collectively, the three utilities need to buy more than 1.3 gigawatts of energy storage.

There’s an old way of thinking about energy efficiency. Humans have been installing better insulation and sealing up cracks in walls ever since the first caveman moved indoors. The field has advanced since then: We can buy efficient appliances, install double-paned windows, and replace old lights. Each of these measures reduces energy consumption and saves money. Today’s technology, however, promises to do so much more.

Utility Xcel Energy has submitted plans to buy solar and wind energy, not due to any mandate or even to bolster its public image, but because it costs less. Xcel Energy’s filing with the Colorado Public Utility Commission listed 170 megawatts of solar and 450 megawatts of wind as the cheapest energy sources available.

This week was full of big deals for advanced energy businesses from coast-to-coast, as well as one new state-level battle over our energy future. Here are the top five news stories of the week.