Chris Lindsey

1 MWh over how much time? Like an average rooftop solar system in a sunny region will generate a handful of MWh’s over the course of a year.

Minimum energy yield (i.e. productivity) of optimized fixed-tilt modules compared with tracking modules. The text in blue shows the optimal tilt and GCRs at each latitude.

For the mid-latitudes, I found fixed-tilt modules have higher minimum daily energy yields than trackers. Optimal GCRs are discussed as well.

I've been working on a project to learn about solar + batteries co-located with loads. This post discusses optimization for consistent year-round supply.

Let me know what you think! I'm new to clean energy so still learning how solar design is done. 🔌💡

Link:
clindsey.substack.com/p/solar-and-...

How does the interconnection process change for generators vs. loads? In terms of cost, duration, complexity, etc. #energysky

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Gotcha. I also found this plot in the latest LBNL Queued Up report - it shows interconnection queue duration based on project size.

emp.lbl.gov/queues

So if there are no network upgrades needed, is the lead time much shorter?

Does the lead time for grid interconnection change with the capacity of the new connection?

If I wanted to connected 1 kW, the grid would hardly notice. However connecting 1 GW would be a different story. Are there thresholds where the interconnection time becomes substantially longer? 🔌💡

Over "herd" at NREL

161. Northvolt - Epitaph Podcast Episode · Redefining Energy · 12/02/2024 · 17m

Interesting and honest discussion of what went wrong at Northvolt. Trying to do too much at once, and not focused on being competitive in a global market. 🔌💡

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

$761.3 million for a Billing System? Would you approve this proposal from PG&E?

PG&E submitted a request to the CPUC to increase rates so they can modernize their billing system. Proposed cost for the system is $761M, all to be paid by our rate increase.

If you are interested, I did a first pass at the issue at pelegri.substack.com/p/7613-milli...

#energysky

LBNL released a best practices guide for IRP's.

Thoughts on the recommendations? #energysky

emp.lbl.gov/publications...

How? Salt caverns? H2 tends to leak from tanks.

I brought up H2 as an example, but the question is aimed more generally at any product that has intermittent generation but needs to support constant consumption.

Can anyone explain how variable production will support firm consumption? Take hydrogen for example. The plan is to utilize intermittent renewable power when it's cheap, but the processes that use H2 run 24/7/365.

Is the only answer "lots and lots of storage"?

#energysky

Put on some Ren & Stimpy. Who’s too old now??

Pretty cool! Why did you decide to go with a ground-sourced instead of air-sourced heat pump? How much did it cost?

Hear hear. Fuel management needs more attention and funding.

LBNL has a lot of data on solar PPA’s but I haven’t been able to find as much about recent geothermal & nuclear deals, other than educated guesses on the internet.

I was thinking of PPA prices, such as what Google/Microsoft are paying for geothermal/nuclear vs the typical solar PPA.

One would think that reliable firm power would be valued higher than less-reliable variable power. Was wondering if there was data to back that up.

Thanks! Why is wind valued higher than solar?

What drives the forecast value in general? Is it a time-of-use (eg duck curve) trend or something else?

Is firm energy generation valued the same as variable? Or are prices bifurcated between firm and variable?

To clarify, I mean the prices consumers are willing to pay (e.g. PPA's), NOT cost (e.g. LCOE).

Is there any data on this?🔌💡

WWD went with a “Master Plan” approach that included building transmission, so developing solar within WWD is more straightforward since the major hurdles are already cleared.

This seems like a good model to replicate but any new location will have their own unique challenges.

I think @dustinmulvaney.bsky.social’s point is that, among many challenges, abandoned farmland has one advantage in that its permitting timelines are short/straightforward.

Overall interesting points. I read them as positioning energy-only resources as important supplementary generation. There when you need them and not there when you don't.

And yeah standardization of modeling approaches will be helpful to get everyone on the same page.

For the 3rd point: are you saying that energy-only generators don't impact transmission planning since the generation can be managed in real-time (e.g. curtailed)?

Or…hear me out…don’t electrify it.

Or at least focus in electrifying other things first. This is probably a niche application of energy consumption.

Unless the current gas system is unreliable/expensive and electrification is clearly superior. But I’m guessing it’s not in this case.

Small modular is the best supply-side bull case case. It addresses tech and workforce development by being a lower financial, land use, etc hurdle to clear to have something built. No answer for regulatory, except maybe it gets easier with iteration.

I would guess yes. “Feels like” is a way to represent increased heat transfer effects like wind chill in a relatable way. If it feels colder to you it will also “feel” colder to your house (higher heat loss than the air temp suggests).

Bomb cyclones be dropping the mic I mean pressure #CAwx

forecast.weather.gov/product.php?...