A new report from non-profit think tank Next 10 explores how the power grid might be challenged or helped by the rise of EVs. Two related reports look at the effects of distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar panels, and of Community Choice Aggregators, a growing local alternative to investor-owned utilities. According to Next… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "california energy commission"
Southern California Edison proposes to install 48,000 more charging points
The Charge Ready network, launched two years ago as a pilot program by Southern California Edison (SCE), recently installed its 1,000th charging station. Now SCE has filed a plan with the California Public Utilities Commission to invest $760 million to expand the program to 48,000 (!) more charging points. Most of the charging stations added… Read more »
US energy regulators issue a new storage rule with important implications for EVs
In March, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a rule requiring regional electrical grid operators to revise their regulations pertaining to energy storage and how storage resources might participate in electricity markets. Okay, it sounds a bit wonky, but FERC’s decision is an important policy shift that could have a big impact on EVs…. Read more »
How EV charging stations earn ENERGY STAR certification
By Peter Banwell, Senior Manager, EPA The ENERGY STAR label is one of the most widely known consumer symbols in the country – more than 90% of American households recognize it. ENERGY STAR-certified products helped consumers save $23 billion in energy costs just in 2015, contributing to cumulative energy cost savings of $246 billion since… Read more »
VGI: California’s cooperative effort to capitalize on EV-grid potential
Last September, Carla J. Peterman, a commissioner with the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC), outlined new requirements for California’s investor-owned utilities that would measurably advance commitments to transportation electrification (TE). One technical requirement singled out by Peterman was addressed in a document called “Enabling Vehicle-Grid Integration Through a Communications Standard,” which focused on the question… Read more »
California’s big three utilities submit proposals to increase access to EV infrastructure
January 20 was an important day for transportation electrification in California. That was the deadline for the state’s three major investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to submit applications for major upgrades to electric transportation infrastructure. California’s Senate Bill 350 (2015) requires the IOUs to establish programs that will increase “access to the use of electricity as a… Read more »
Pacific Gas & Electric to deploy 7,500 charging stations in northern California
The California Public Utilities Commission has unanimously voted to approve Pacific Gas & Electric’s Charge Smart and Save charging infrastructure program. The $130-million project will deploy 7,500 charging stations across northern California, primarily at multi-family dwellings and workplaces. PG&E has agreed to install 15 percent of the charging stations in disadvantaged communities, and aims to… Read more »
California passes quarter million EV milestone
The Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative (PEVC) announced that California’s 250,000th plug-in vehicle is likely to be sold this month. Since plug-ins first became available in 2010, consumer demand has slowly but steadily grown, and it’s expected to get a major boost soon, as a crop of 200-mile, $35,000 EVs goes on sale. “Just a few… Read more »
ChargePoint proposed for contract to install California fast charging stations
CLARIFICATION: ChargePoint is one of four companies chosen by the California Energy Commission among 35 applications to install chargers along Interstate 5, Highway 99 and US Route 101. The other companies who successfully bid on the contracts are NRG EV Services, Recargo and EV Connect. The contracts have been recommended by CEC staff, but have… Read more »
California PUC approves pilot EV grid integration project with 3,500 charging stations
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has long been a pioneer in researching EV integration with the power grid. Last March it launched a pilot project that explores making fleets of EVs available as a dispatchable distributed energy resource to help stabilize the grid. Back in April 2014, SDG&E sought authorization from the California Public… Read more »