Transactions (May 2014)
Sunrun acquires AEE Solar and SnapNrack; FirstEnergy completes sale of hydroelectric power stations to Harbor Hydro Holdings; Alterra acquires Shannon wind project from Horn Wind.
Sunrun acquires AEE Solar and SnapNrack; FirstEnergy completes sale of hydroelectric power stations to Harbor Hydro Holdings; Alterra acquires Shannon wind project from Horn Wind.
Election politics portend painful cutbacks.
Whether it deserves it or not, the solar energy industry can’t count on continued government largess, thanks in part to the Solyndra mess. But in the end, Solyndra’s demise might be exactly what the industry needs to wean itself off heavy subsidies and become a mainstream resource.
The intelligent grid cannot be achieved without energy storage.
While much has been written about the intelligent grid of late, little attention has been focused on the role of energy storage in achieving its expected benefits. Energy storage is an essential component of the intelligent grid. Energy storage provides greater grid integration of variable renewable energy resource output (e.g., wind, solar); improved system reliability via the provision of grid regulation services; and peak demand reductions and, in turn, deferred capital spending on new and upgraded transmission and distribution assets.
Utilities are absorbing distressed IPPs, and raising alarm bells in the process.