Advanced Energy Perspectives

This guest post is provided by Navigant Research.

For those in the know, energy storage price points have been a big topic of discussion. As more batteries energy storage systems (BESSs) are installed and continue to operate, concerns about whether batteries can safely and reliably perform in grid-connected energy storage applications are eliminated. But, while it is true that BESS costs continue to come down, this is just one piece of the energy storage market development puzzle.

Advanced energy makes news, and 2015 was proof of that. From American offshore wind finally breaking water to energy storage gigafactories to fundamental changes in the way utilities make money, businesses big and small had impact on the way the world generates and uses energy. In fact, it’s not easy to pick the top stories of the year. That said, here is the first five of our top 10 for 2015. Be sure to tune in next week for the other five. Then get ready for 2016, which we are sure will be another news-filled year for advanced energy!

Many of us spend New Year’s Eve watching football, especially ESPN’s rewind of the top 10 plays of the year. It may not be SportsCenter, but here is AEE’s top five list of state policy victories, setbacks, and stalemates for advanced energy in 2015 – many of them on issues that will carry over into the new year. As a highlight reel, it may leave something to be desired. But replaying this year’s skirmishes might just help the advanced energy industry and its allies prepare for the next round of battles in 2016.

All this year we’ve been seeing major advances in the solar industry, and this week is no different. Across the U.S. and around the world, major companies are choosing renewables, with many installing solar to power facilities. Meanwhile, the price of solar continues to fall even faster than predicted, making solar energy one of the most sought-after sources of generation for large and small consumers alike. This week, we bring you more dispatches from the sunny world of solar energy, but there may be clouds on the horizon if the industry fails to integrate with other advanced energy technologies.

The world’s eyes are focused on Paris this week with the beginning of 2015 Climate Conference, also referred to as COP21. In what could be considered a case of counter-programming, Congress has pushed legislation indicating disapproval of EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP), thereby sending a signal that future Congresses could invalidate the centerpiece of U.S. commitments made by President Obama. At the same time, an energy package is moving forward in the House, and tax extenders are back on the table for legislative action. EPA also updated the Renewable Fuel Standard this week, reducing the volume requirements for corn-based ethanol. This action immediately turned into controversy, and just like any EPA action these days, is about to go through the legal gauntlet. With end of the year fast approaching, the tryptophan from Thanksgiving turkey clearly did not slow anyone down.