Advanced Energy Perspectives

In this week’s news, utility scale storage is on the up-and-up, led by a new partnership between two AEE members, and Microsoft makes major deals for advanced energy. Both stories exemplify two trends we’re tracking this year: major corporations choosing advanced energy and the rapid growth of the storage market. Any way you slice it, advanced energy is on the rise!

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.

In advance of a Department of Energy study seemingly intended to suggest otherwise, we find mounting evidence from leading experts that advanced energy is helping America’s electricity system, not harming it. One new example: New York City cashing in on demand response in a big way this summer. Plus: Texas is “too windy and sunny for old energy companies to make money.” Isn’t that a shame?

This week, the news is about cities taking the helm on advanced energy market creation, with Philadelphia joining scores of other cities in taking a pledge for advanced energy—though one columnist thinks the media attention lavished on 100% renewable statements is “mindless cheerleading.” And, like many weeks this year, storage is taking center stage as utilities deploy all kinds of technologies, from EV batteries to hot water heaters, to hold energy until it’s needed.

This week, we bring you stories of advanced energy chosen by industries you might not expect, generation-other-than-solar-plus-storage, and, as always, AEE members leading the way. Legos, cereal, and batteries backing up power plants: just another average week in the advanced energy industry.