Not only are electronic devices everywhere in our homes, they also take large amounts of energy from the power grid. According to a 2015 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, roughly a quarter of home energy consumption in the U.S. is eaten up by devices that are in idle power mode—and that doesn’t include […]
In recent weeks, natural disasters such as hurricanes and the California wildfires have wrought a path of destruction across the United States. Without investment in renewable technology that can help combat climate change, events such as these are likely to get worse. As discussed in a previous post, the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the renewable industry […]
In California, rolling blackouts have left millions of people in the dark as they rush indoors to escape both the COVID-19 pandemic and heatwaves. With so many people blasting air conditioners at once, California’s electric grid, which relies on renewables more than ever, is struggling to supply power. There are two primary reasons for the […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic shut down cities around the world, and major transportation systems slowed to a crawl, pollution levels plummeted by around 50% in Delhi, India, according to a recent report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The researchers found an 8% increase in solar panel energy production as a result of clearer, less […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic winds on, it’s causing a lot of unpredictability in the renewable energy sector. BW Research Partnership predicts that half a million people employed in the industry in the U.S. will lose their jobs by the end of June. However, at the same time, solar power is providing more power than ever. […]
Renewables have greatly expanded on a global level. Last year, growth in renewables outcompeted oil, representing a minimum 70% total capacity growth in nearly all regions with the exception of Africa and the Middle East, where renewable growth constituted 52% and 26%, respectively. The expansion of renewables in 2020, however, will be less certain due […]
Although fossil fuels continue to be a major energy source, many countries are focusing on replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources. In order to meet emissions targets, governments are putting greater effort into developing and implementing energy sources that are safe for the environment. A recent breakthrough has put society one step closer to […]
The global water crisis is causing problems worldwide. The United Nations estimates that 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water in their homes. This is relevant because those with access to clean water have a higher chance of leaving poverty, resisting disease, and seeking an education. The water crisis has severe […]
The future promises dramatic transformations in the way people make and consume energy. Many experts are turning to microgrids— small-scale, self-sustaining power networks unburdened by ties to a centralized power plant— as key agents of this transformation. Microgrids provide everything from greater reliability and resilience to cleaner power and economic development. They’re designed to work […]
Created in 2003, IEEE Standard 1547™ establishes a technical standard for interconnecting distributed energy resources (DER) with electrical power systems (EPSs). Since Standard 1547 was first created, technology has become more sophisticated and the modern electric grid has experienced increased levels of penetration. Due to the increase in DER interconnection applications, there have been ample […]
