Advanced Energy Perspectives

Time and time again, California has proven to the nation and the globe that economic and environmental goals can be achieved simultaneously. California’s longstanding record in implementing innovative policies has helped make it a world leader in the use and development of advanced energy technologies. That is why it is imperative for state lawmakers to extend the state’s cap-and-trade program to 2030. They’ll get a chance to do so next week.

Nevada’s 2017 legislative session was jam-packed with bills that will reshape the state’s energy future. The legislature passed 11 energy bills and sent them to Gov. Brian Sandoval’s desk. Of the 11, the Governor signed nine into law. The bills covered a wide range of issues and settled them in favor of advanced energy: prioritizing energy-saving resources for dispatch, setting annual energy savings goals, studying energy storage deployment, and even solving the state’s contentious net-metering policy. After this session, one thing is apparent – in Nevada, advanced energy is not a partisan issue. With a Republican Governor and a Democratic legislature, Nevada is moving toward advanced energy in the name of economic development and consumer benefit. But one bill that went unsigned – and was, indeed, vetoed – by the Governor kept the Silver State off the Gold Medal stand for advanced energy leadership.

This post is one in a series of feature stories on trends that shape advanced energy markets in the U.S. and around the world. It is drawn from Advanced Energy Now 2017 Market Report, which was prepared for AEE by Navigant Research.

A CHP system at the University of Arizona.

For roughly a century, CHP systems have been reliable, cost-effective sources of power and thermal energy in both industrial and commercial building applications. Representing as much as 8% of U.S. electricity generation, CHP systems are used widely in manufacturing, hospitals, district heating, commercial buildings, and even residential applications.

Our country and the world are moving forward with innovative fuel sources, demonstrating new ways to meet market demand. In recent industry news: Volvo goes electric, waste becomes energy, plants prove their mettle up against fossil fuels, and an AEE member leads the way to the future of energy. Just an average week here at AEE.

A bill co-sponsored by AEE to give a boost to electric vehicles in California got a boost itself last week with a well-covered press conference highlighting the measure, which would establish an ambitious program to stimulate EV purchases. The bill’s author, Assemblymember Phil Ting, hosted the press event at a set of charging stations across from San Francisco City Hall. “We need a more robust incentive program to jump-start the market so that everyone can get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle,” said Ting. His bill, AB 1184, is intended to do just that – backed by a pool of up to $3 billion for EV-buying incentives.