1) Biden administration’s EPA proposes strict new auto tailpipe emissions limits.

2) China sets aggressive 2023 renewables targets, plans on 160 GW of wind and solar.

3) U.S. interconnection queues get lengthier, with projects now averaging five years. A total of 10,000 projects totaling 1,350 gigawatts capacity is languishing in queues.

4) Bureau of Land Management approves 732-mile transmission line to deliver 3 GW of wind from Wyoming to Nevada.

5) PacifiCorp files IRP with renewables (20 GW), storage (7.4 GW), and at least two nukes. Efficiency (798 MW) and DR (661 MW) also in the mix.

6) ISO-New England notches new record low demand (6,814 MW, in system w/32,600 MW of installed capacity).

7) Toyota plans on plug-in hybrid with about 125 miles of range (vs today's Prius Prime, at 44 miles).

Dept of Treasury releases guidance on EV domestic battery components and critical minerals; Advanced battery co Amprius touts 3rd-party verification of high-density lithium-ion cell; SC Dept of Ed'n to buy 160 Thomas Built electric school buses; Ford w/4th increase in a year on base price of F-150 Lightning; Battery recycling co Cirba Solutions plans $300 mn Phase One investment in a li-ion battery recycling facility in SC; EU reaches provision agreement requiring 42% of H2 in existing industrial applications be green by 2030; European Council sets regs to cut road transport emissions, w/zero emissions from new cars by 2035; CATL making M3P batteries, outperforming nickel and cobalt-based tech on price and range; Norway electrolyzer co HydroPro to build 500 MW high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer factory in TX.

1) Department of Treasury announces IRA EV subsidy battery component and critical minerals eligibility requirements, with minimum amounts rising over time.

2) Advanced battery company Amprius completes third-party verification of its high-density lithium-ion cell.

3) SC Dept of Education orders 160 electric school buses from North American Daimler subsidiary Thomas Built Buses.

4) Ford raises price on its base F-150 Lightning for the fourth time in a year, to over $61,000 (Incl destination chg).

5) Battery materials/recycling co Cirba Solutions announces $300 mn Phase One investment in SC lithium-ion battery recycling facility.

6) EU reaches provision agreement requiring 42% of all hydrogen used in existing industrial applications to be green by 2030. 

7) European Council sets regs to cut road transport emissions, with zero emissions from new cars by 2035. 

8) Global battery giant CATL begins manufacture of M3P batteries, that will outperform nickel and cobalt-based variants on price and range. 

9) Norway electrolyzer company HydroPro touts a new 500 MW high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer factory in Texas.

GE Hitachi, TVA, OPG, and Synthos Green Energy join to advance progress on GE/Hitachi SMR for global deployment; Ford Motor Company expects 2023 EV division loss of $3 billion; China auto OEM JAC shows off EV w/sodium ion battery; LGES w/$5.6 billion investment for AZ battery factory; Albemarle Corp will build $1.3 bn SC lithium processing plant – enough to supply 2.4 mn EVs; Convenience store 7-11 developing network of level 3 fast-charging stations in U.S. & Canada; Level Ten Energy and Google Cloud announce new platform to accelerate PPA contracting; IRENA reports that 83 % of new 2022 global generating capacity came from renewables. 

1) GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Tennessee Valley Authority, Ontario Power Generation, and Synthos Green Energy teaming up w/up to $400 mn of support to advance progress on GE/Hitachi 300 small modular reactor and promote global deployment. 

2) Ford Motor Company projects 2023 EV division loss of $3 billion, as it gears up for the future, anticipating 8% EV margins by 2026.

3) Chinese automaker JAC unveils test version of EV equipped w/sodium-ion batteries (no lithium or cobalt).

4) LG Energy Solution plans on $5.6 billion investment for a battery factory in AZ, to produce EV and energy storage batteries on separate lines.

5) Albemarle Corp will build $1.3 bn S. Carolina lithium processing plant – enough for 2.4 mn EVs annually. Inputs to come from ore mined in NC and used batteries.

6) Convenience store chain 7-11 plans a network of level 3 fast-charging stations in the US and Canada addressing CCS, ChadeMo, and Tesla.

7) Level Ten Energy and Google Cloud collaborate on new platform to accelerate power purchase agreement contracting process from a year to as little as 2-3 mos.

8) International Renewable Energy Agency reports that 83 % of new generating capacity last year came from renewables, warns numbers need to triple by 2030 to meet climate goals.

GE developing 18 MW offshore turbine; MNR co NuScale must increase MW commitments by 3X in order to proceed w/first facility; Controlled Thermal Resource and Fuji Electric ink $1.4 bn deal for geothermal plants and lithium prod’n in Salton Sea; Invenergy to invest in 5 GW Ohio PV facility making LONGI panels; VW’s ID.2 concept vehicle to have 280 miles of range and cost $27K; Entergy LA files for approval of 3 GW of solar gen; Texas appellate court rules PUC exceeded authority in setting $9,000/MW price during 2021 winter storm; CT utilities launch next 100 MW phase of customer-sited storage projects; Biden Admin to dole out $2.5 bn in add’l EV charging funding, targeted at municipalities/rural areas; President Biden and EU President von der Leyen issue statement to include EU in IRA domestic content provisions; Oman signs 40-yr deals worth $20 bn for green H2 w/15,000 MW of electrolyzers.

1) GE's Renewable energy armed Vernova is developing a 17 - 18 MW offshore wind turbine. 

2) Modular nuclear company Nuscale needs to triple subscription levels by February 2024 in order to proceed w/first plant.

3) Controlled Thermal Resources and Fuji Electric Corporation in $1.4 billion deal for up to 330 MW of geothermal plants and 150,000 metric tons of lithium from CA's Salton Sea. 

4) Invenergy with investment of $600 mn in 5-GW PV module plant in OH to make LONGi solar panels.

5) Volkswagen plans on ID.2 EV, w/range of 280 miles and targeted base price of $27,000. 

6) Entergy LA files w/regulators to add 3 GW of solar power to gen portfolio. 

7) Texas appellate court says PUC exceeded authority during 2021 Winter Storm Uri in setting maximum $9,000 per MWh price on 2/15 and 2/16.

8) CT utilities initiate 100 MW phase of on-site energy storage projects in 580 MW program (1st 50 MW tranche of incentives in early 2022 was quickly subscribed).

9) Biden administration offers $2.5 bn in EV charge funding w/focus on cities, towns, and rural areas.

10) President Biden and EU President von der Leyen issue joint statement committing parties to negotiate w/respect to critical minerals and IRA domestic content requirement. 

11) Oman signs 6 40-yr green H2 deals worth $20 billion, to result in deployment of 15,000 MW of electrolysers.

Advanced geothermal co Eavor gets €91.6 mn grant for 8.2 MW geothermal project in Germany; advanced geothermal co Fervo tests energy storage system in NV using fracking tech to inject H2O into deep wells to create pressure for turbines; U Rochester researchers create new superconductor w/superior properties; NRC proposes a new draft review and licensing framework for advanced nukes; HECO issues RFP for 500-700 MW of “firm” renewables, such as biofuels, geothermal, and trash-to-energy by 2033; NJ w/3rd offshore wind solicitation for betw 1.2 & 4.0 GW of wind energy; BNEF study says meeting global climate goals may call for 94 million-mile supersized grid - 2X the length of today's grid; WA State carbon auction settles at $48.50/ton, (recent California/Quebec auction price at $27.85); Equinor & Air Liquide formally abandon potentially landmark liquified hydrogen shipping fuel project.

1) Eavor Technologies, an advanced geothermal company, nabs European Innovation Fund €91.6 million grant for 8.2 MW geothermal project in Germany. Drilling to start July, w/commissioning Q4 of 2024. 

2) Advanced geothermal company Fervo proving up new underground energy storage system in NV, using fracking tech to create fractures in deep hot rock and pumping in H2O to create storable/dispatchable power. 

3) Scientists from U of Rochester create superconductor that can function at room temperatures and at lower pressures, that could dramatically cut T&D losses, improve batteries, and help contain fusion process. 

4) NRC proposes new draft review/licensing framework for advanced nuclear reactors, based on risk and performance, and meant to be flexible and applicable to a variety of new technologies. 

5) HECO RFP calls for 500-700 MW of “firm” renewables, such as biofuels, geothermal, and trash-to-energy by 2033. Current HECO supply approx. 40% renewables today, w/50% of that from customer side of the meter. 

6) NJ opens third offshore wind solicitation, for 1.2 - 4 GW of offshore wind. Decisions expected by the end of 2023. 

7) BNEF study say a 94 million-mile supersized grid may be needed to meet climate goals, over twice size of today's grid (long enough to reach the sun).

8) WA State’s 1st carbon auction settles at $48.50/ton - much higher than the recent joint California/Quebec auction at $27.85/ton – and raises $300 million.

9) Equinor and Air Liquid formally pull plug on Aurora project - once hailed as landmark liquified H2 shipping fuel project - citing high prices, lack of interest, and competition from green hydrogen-based ammonia or methanol.

CA Energy Commission approves staff recommendation to extend life of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant to 2030 for grid reliability; Western municipal utilities OK plan to buy energy from 462 MW NuScale modular nuclear plant, despite price jump from $58 to $89/MWh; Dow and nuclear startup X-energy to develop small nuclear plant at Dow industrial site on Gulf Coast; Startup Universal Hydrogen successfully flies 40-seat plane - powered mainly by hydrogen - during short test flight; China’s Sinopec breaks ground on $831 mn, 390 MW, green H2 project in Mongolia; Saudi 2.2 GW green H2 project lines up $8.5 bn in construction financing; Tesla moving forward on V2G, perhaps as early as 2025; U.S. Postal Service to buy 9,250 commercial off-the-shelf EVs - the Ford EV Transit - and 14,000 charging stations; China’s Farasis Energy to supply low-density sodium ion batteries to Jiangling Motors, Chinese EV maker owned largely by Renault; Toyota plans on KY auto plant for 100% made-in-US EV.

1) The CA Energy Commission approves a staff recommendation for extension 2.2 of 2.2, GW Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant citing grid reliability.

2) Despite price increase from $58 to $89/MWh, consortium of western municipal utilities continues commitment to buy energy from NuScale’s 462 MW modular nuke. 

3) Dow and nuclear startup, X-energy will develop small nuclear plant at a Gulf Coast Dow industrial site. 

4) Startup Universal Hydrogen flies 40-seat plane mainly on hydrogen during part of 15-minute test flight. Goal is commercial hydrogen-powered flights by 2025. 

5) Chinese refining co Sinopec initiates $831 mn, 390 MW, green H2 project in Mongolia, supplied by 270 MW of solar & 450 MW of wind. 

6) Saudi Arabia's 2.2 GW green H2 project gets $8.5 bn in financing. Project will use 4.6 GW of solar & wind energy to make ammonia for U.S. co Air Products. 

7) Tesla to offer bi-directionality in its models over next two years. 

8) USPS to buy 1st 9,250 Ford EV Transits - and 14,000 charging stations – as part of plan to buy over 66,000 electric vehicles.

9) China’s Farasis Energy will provide lower-density sodium ion batteries to Jiangling Motors, Chinese EV co owned largely by Renault. Mass production to begin by mid-year.

10) Toyota to build Kentucky plant for 100% made-in-USA EV, w/target of 200,000 US EVs/year.

BP to spend $1 bn in U.S. EV charging networks, w/focus on Herz locations; Electrify America proceeds w/75 MW solar project to support EV chargers in CA; Biden Admin publishes minimum standards for EV chargers, will roll out $2.5 bn to support network buildout; Stellantis & wireless charging co HEVO team up on initial wireless charging projects; Ford to invest $3.5 bn in LFP battery plant in Michigan, working w/Chinese battery giant CATL; CA judge rejects Sunnova plans for resi self-contained microgrid; sonnen to expand German virtual power plants to include EVs, provide frequency regulation to grid; NY PSC OKs $4.4 bn for 62 upstate NY transmission upgrades to address grid congestion & grow renewables; GA Power’s Vogtle nuke delayed again, adding $200 mn to tab; French motor maker, Leroy-Somer to work w/Airbus on electric motor for hydrogen powered fuel cell airplane engine; EverWind Fuels Company gets environmental approval for Phase One of $6 billion green H2/NH3 project in Nova Scotia; Amazon spending $1.5 mn on seaweed farm located between Dutch offshore wind turbines.

1) BP to invest $1 bn by 2030 in U.S. EV charging networks, w/focus on Hertz locations in major cities. High demand areas to include GigaHubs for ride share, taxis, car rentals, and public. 

2) EV charging co Electrify America breaks ground on 75 MW CA solar proj to supply charging network. 

3) Biden administration announces minimum standards for federally-funded EV infrastructure, w/$2.5 billion available soon for states, tribes, and municipalities to build out EV charging networks

4) Stellantis and wireless charging pioneer HEVO join to advance wireless charging, w/projects at MI Stellantis office complex, followed by 50 kW wireless fast wireless charging project.

5) Ford plans to spend $3.5 bn on lithium iron phosphate battery plant in Michigan, relying on Chinese battery giant, Contemporary Amperex Technology for tech support. 

6) California judge nixes rooftop solar company Sunnova plans to build self-contained microgrids for new residential communities.

7) Residential solar/storage operator sonnen expands German VPPs to include EVs, to help manage frequency regulation for grid operator TenneT. Goal to enroll EVs in 5,000 households totaling 80 MW. 

8) New York regulators approve 62 upstate transmission upgrade projects costing $4.4 bn to address grid congestion points & facilitate increased renewables adoption. 

9) GA Power sees another delay in Vogtle Nuclear expansion, costing another $200 mn, while parent Southern Company reports 2022 profits of $3.5 bn.

10) French electric motor maker, Leroy-Somer to work w/Airbus on electric motor for hydrogen power fuel cell airplane engine prototype. 

11) EverWind Fuels Company gets environmental approval for Phase One of a $6 bn green hydrogen/ammonia product in Nova Scotia.

Per Bloomberg NEF, 36.7 GW of renewable PPAs were signed in 2022; DOE offers $74 mn for pilot projects to prove out enhanced geothermal systems; 4 million heat pumps were sold in the U.S. in 2022, exceeding gas furnaces for 1st time; Battery recycler Redwood Materials nabs conditional $2 billion DOE loan commitment to expand NV facility; Vestas finds new chemical process to break down epoxy-based blades into materials that can be recycled into new wind turbine blades; LA’s City Council votes to advance plans to convert 830 MW gas gen plant to run on 100% green hydrogen and initiate RFP to start $800 million project; Sunrun and PG&E partner on 30 MW resi solar and battery VPP for PG&E's Summer Reliability Program. Devices will discharge daily from 7-9:00 PM from August to October; Per the EIA, the U.S. will commission 54.5 GW of new capacity in 2023, w/54% (29.1 GW) from solar – up more than twice from the previous year.

1) Bloomberg NEF reports record 36.7 GW of renewable PPAs in 2022, up 18% from 2021 record. Cumulative PPAs since 2008 now total 148 GW, exceeding France's installed capacity.

2) DOE announces $74 mn for up to seven pilot projects testing viability and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems.

3) Americans bought 4 mn air-source heat pumps, outpacing gas furnaces for first time. Mini-split heat pumps can be up to three times more efficient than gas furnaces and use is growing in many parts of the country, driving utilities to new winter peaks.

4) Redwood Materials receives conditional commitment for $2 billion DOE loan to expand NV facility that will recover foils, as well as cathode (lithium, nickel, cobalt) and anode materials (copper and graphite).

5) Danish wind turbine co. Vestas announces new chemical process to break down epoxy-based blades into materials for reuse in new wind turbine blades. Vestas will partner with others to scale process into commercial venture.

6) LA City Council OKs plan to convert 830 MW gas gen plant to run on 100% green hydrogen, initiates RFP to commence $800 million project. Council will continue to investigate alternatives, given uncertainties and low round-trip efficiencies.

7) Sunrun and PG&E enroll up to 7,500 residential solar and battery systems into  30 MW virtual power plant for PG&E's Summer Reliability Program. Assets will be discharged daily from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, from August through October.

8) The EIA projects 54.5 GW of new grid capacity in 2023, with 54% (29 GW) from solar and 17% (9.4 GW) from batteries, 7.5 GW from gas generation, and 6 GW from wind. 2.2 GW of nuclear is finally expected to come from Georgia’s overdue and drastically over-budget Vogtle nuclear plant.

First Solar to invest $1.3 to expand OH plant, growing annual output capacity to 10.6 GW by 2025; adv'd geothermal co Eavor Tech nails next-gen demo project in NM, drills 18,000’, two-leg well through granite, to temps just shy of 500 degrees F; Allete & Grid United plan $2.5 bn, 3000 MW, 385 mile, bidirectional, HVDC transmission line from ND to MT, boosting Eastern-Western interconnection transfer; TotalEnergies & Air Liquide plan on 100 H2 stations for heavy trucks on European highways; US car sales fall 8%in 2022; EV sales soar 65%, to 800,000 units; Our Next Energy raises $300 mn, gets grants of $220 mn from MI for local battery plant; ChargePoint & storage company Stem to accelerate EV fast-charging combined w/batteries on US highways; EverCharge to install EV charging stations at Houston's Bush Airport for Avis Budget Group rental fleets; Travel Centers of America & Electrify America to locate 1000 EV DC fast-charge stations at 200 highway sites; GM OKs investment of $650 million in Lithium Americas, for exclusive access to NV lithium mine ; GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy inks deal w/3 other players for 300 MW SMR in Ontario.

1) First Solar plows add'l $1.3 billion into OH plant, expanding capability to 10.6 GW by 2025, co. nearly fully sold out through 2026. 

2) Advanced geothermal company Eavor Tech completes next-gen geothermal demonstration in NM. Eavor directionally drills 18,000’, two-leg, multilateral well through granite, w/temps close to 500 degrees F, triggers add’l $10 mn investment. 

3) Allete & Grid United plan $2.5 bn, 3000 MW, 385 mile, bidirectional, HVDC transmission link from ND to MT, increasing transfer capacity betw. E and W interconnections. Current linkages total only 1,320 MW. 

4) TotalEnergies & Air Liquide plan network of 100 H2 stations for heavy trucks on highways in France, Benelux, and Germany. 

5) 2022 US car sales sag 8%, but EV sales jump 65% to over 800,000 - 5.8% of all cars sold.

6) Our Next Energy scores $300 mn fund raise & $220 million MI grant to locate battery cell factory in state. 

7) ChargePoint & battery/software co Stem to speed deployment of EV fast-charging, joining chargers w/batteries on US highways, managing utility D charges. 

8) SK Group's EverCharge to deploy EV charging stations at Houston's Bush Airport for Avis Budget Group’ combined rental fleet. Intelligent load balancing software will reduce strains on grid.

9) Travel Centers of America to team w/Electrify America on 1,000 EV DC fast-charging stations at 200 designated highway locations over 5 years, starting 2023; 

10) GM OKs investment of $650 million in Lithium Americas, for exclusive access to Thacker Pass Lithium Mine in Nevada, largest known U.S lithium deposit. 

11) GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Ontario Power Group, SNC-Lavalin, & Aecon Group sign deal for 300 MW SMR in Ontario. Site preparation underway, w/go-live date slated for Q4 2028.

2022 cleantech investments hit record $1.1 trillion; EPA to reject multiple utility requests to continue dumping coal ash into unlined ponds. 6 plants totaling 10 GW affected; rPlus Hydro submits Final License Application to FERC for 900-MW Pumped Storage project in WY; Form Energy and Excel Energy ink two deals for long-duration iron-air batteries – 10 MW/1,000 MWh - at Xcel's retiring coal plants in MN and CO; AlphaStruxure to install/operate a microgrid at NY’s JFK airport, w/7.66 MW of solar, 2 MW/4MWh of batteries and 3.68 MW of fuel cells; NREL report cites need to develop U.S. supply chain supporting offshore wind ind'y; Consortium publishes report eyeing need for integrated planning process to address offshore wind, especially transmission; Tesla to spend $3.6 bn on 100 GWh battery and semi-truck factory in NV.

1) Bloomberg NEF reports 2022 saw $1.1 trillion of investment support for cleantech, mostly in renewable power, EVs, storage and hydrogen, up 31% from 2021.  Solar & wind got $495 billion, and EVs received $466. China led countries, at $546 billion.

2) The EPA will reject requests from utilities to continue dumping coal ash from six coal power plants – totaling 10,000 MW - into unlined ponds. Final deadlines could be delayed if plants would have to shut, threatening grid reliability.

3) rPlus Hydro submits Final License Application to FERC for $2.5 bn, 900-MW Pumped Storage project in WY to support solar/wind.

4) Form Energy and Xcel Energy OK deal for long-duration iron-air batteries at two of closing coal plant locations in MN and CO.  Each site will use 10 MW/1,000 MWh batteries, w/expected commissioning in 2025. 

5) AlphaStruxure will install and operate microgrid at JFK, w/7.66 MW solar, 2 MW/4MWh of batteries and 3.68 MW of fuel cells. Microgird will keep 23-gate terminal running during outages. 

6) NREL report highlights need to for domestic supply chain supporting U.S. offshore wind industry, with investments over $22 billion for critical resources, e.g. manufacturing facilities, ports, and large installation vessels.  

7) Clean energy and environmental groups issue report citing need for integrated planning process for offshore wind, especially for transmission infrastructure to optimize offshore wind beyond 2030.

8) Tesla to invest $3.6 bn on plants in NV - a 100 GWh battery cell factory and high-volume Semi tractor trailer factory.

TX PUC approves capacity-type “performance credit mechanism” which retail electricity suppliers will pay to generation for reliability; ZeroAvia's 19-seat airplane flies for 10 minutes on hydrogen; DOE sends 33 letters of encouragement to U.S. regional hydrogen hub applicants; GE Gas Power and Japan’s IHI Corp sign MOU to develop ammonia-compatible combustion turbines; Hertz and Uber expand partnership to Europe, w/Hertz supplying 25,000 EVs to Uber drivers by 2025; Israel's fast-charge EV battery co StoreDot says its systems being tested by 15 global auto OEMs. Tests confirm cells can offer 100 miles range in five minutes; DOE to lend up to $700 million to Ioneer, an Australian-based lithium mining company, to develop Nevada lithium mining project; Long-duration storage co Noon nabs $28 million in Series A financing. Noon's multi-day storage tech uses electricity to split CO2 into solid carbon and oxygen gas, then reverses process to release energy.

1) Texas PUC okays “performance credit mechanism” payments from retail suppliers to generators when electricity supplies are tight. Payments could total as much as $5.7 bn/yr.

2) ZeroAvia's 19-seat airplane flies for 10 minutes on hydrogen fuel cell engine. 1,500 engines on pre-order from multiple airlines.

3) DOE receives 79 Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub applicants, sends 33 letters of encouragement to those selected to proceed to full application process.

4) GE Gas Power and Japanese heavy-industry IHI Corp in agreement on roadmap to develop ammonia-capable turbines by 2030.

5) Hertz and Uber expand partnership to Europe, w/Hertz offering up to 25,000 EVs to Uber drivers in capital cities by 2025, starting in London this month, and including Paris and Amsterdam later in 2023.

6) Israel's fast-charge EV battery company StoreDot says its XFC batteries and systems being tested by 15 global auto OEMs. Initial test confirm StoreDot cells can offer 100 miles of range in five minutes of charging.

7) DOE to lend up to $700 million to Ioneer - Australian lithium mining co - to develop Rhyolite Ridge Lithium Project in Nevada.

8) Long-duration storage company Noon receives $28 million Series A financing. Noon's multi-day tech stores energy by using electricity to split CO2 into solid carbon and oxygen gas. Discharging reverses the process. Active ingredients are inexpensive and round-trip efficiencies said to be close to lithium ion (around 90% w/o parasitic losses).

China’s JA Solar to develop $60 mn, 2 GW solar panel assembly plant in AZ by Q4 2023; S. Korea’s Hanwha Q Cells to invest $2.5 billion to expand 1st plant and build 2nd facility in GA to make 3.3 GW of solar panels by Q4 2024. Factory to create ingots, wafers, cells, & finished panels; REsurety & Watt Time offer data on marginal emissions impacts of sustainability investments; NY State to develop cap-and-invest program w/declining limits on GHG emissions, raising over $1 billion annually. Goal is to cut emissions 40% by 2030 & 85% by 2050 vs 1990 baseline; Mid-Atlantic grid operator PJM to fine generators betw $1 - $2 billion for failing to deliver during winter storm Elliot, w/shortfall in gen at nearly 46 GW; CA CCA signs 25-year, $775 million energy storage contract for 200 MW / 1,600 MWh w/compressed air energy storage company Hydro Store; RMI & founding members Ford, GM, Google, Nest, and others create Virtual Power Plant partnership to advance DER policies & catalyze activity. 

1) IRA pays dividends, w/Chinese solar co JA Solar announcing $60 million, 2 GW solar panel assembly plant in AZ, by Q4 of 2023, serving on-site & utility scale markets.

2) IRA lures S Korean co Hanwha Q Cells, which will spend $2.5 billion on 3.3 GW of solar manuf'g capacity in GA, expanding one plant & building another to span solar supply chain, from ingots to finished panels. 

3) REsurety & Watt Time offer data on marginal emissions impacts of sustainability investments, aiding cos such as Amazon, GM, Heineken, & Google that are shifting carbon accounting focus to their impact on actual emissions.

4) New York plans on cap-and-invest program to cut GHG emissions and raise over $1 billion annually. Large GHG emitters and distributors of heating/transportation fuels must buy declining amounts of emissions allowances. Goal is to cut emissions 40% by 2030 and at least 85% by 2050 - from 1990 levels. Revenues to be dedicated to clean energy investments & supporting disadvantaged communities.

5) Mid-Atlantic grid operator PJM to fine generators between $1 and $2 billion for failing to perform during winter storm Elliot. Nearly 46 GW was offline on 12/24, largely owing to plant equipment failures/fuel supply issues. Gas fired gen at 70% of overall shortfall. 

6) CA community choice aggregator, Central Coast Community Energy inks 25-year, $775 mn energy storage contract for 200 MW/1,600 MWh w/compressed air energy storage company Hydro Store. Hydro Store to build world’s largest underground cavern, w/compressed air below a water reservoir to maintain pressure. 

7) RMI and founding members Ford, GM, Google, Nest, OM Connect, and other cos. announce Virtual Power Plant Partnership, w/goal of advancing policy and catalyzing industry to advance Distributed Energy Resources to create value for the grid and provide much-needed capacity.

Storage co Energy Vault and PG&E planning long-duration - 293 MWh - energy storage microgrid w/both li-ion batteries and green H2; winter storm Elliott reveals utility forecasting deficiencies in multiple locations, results in rotating outages in SE U.S.; automaker Stellantis to build Archer Midnight electric aircraft, a VTOL four-seater plane w/range of about 100 miles; Chinese EV & charging co NIO completes 10th battery swap station in Europe, w/seven add’l stations soon operational. NIO plans 120 European stations by the end of 2023; NY State publishes a framework to develop 6,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, equal to 20% of peak demand.

1) Storage co Energy Vault working w/CA utility PG&E on long-duration energy storage microgrid pairing li-ion batteries w/green H2. Project would provide 293 MWh of energy to city of Calistoga's downtown, encompassing serving fire and police stations, w/48 hours of energy for planned wildfire outages & other events. PUC approval required. 

2) Winter storm Elliott and accompanying cold snap pushed grids to the limits across U.S. ISO-NE burned 31 million gallons of oil, while PJM models under-forecast peak load by almost 10%. SE U.S. saw rotating curtailments, w/Duke outages in N. and S. Carolina affecting 1.7 million people. Duke significantly under-forecast demand. TVA faced similar situation, w/rotating outages, and NERC/FERC launching probe to learn lessons.

3) At CES, automaker Stellantis announces plans to build Archer Midnight electric aircraft, a vertical takeoff and landing four-seater w/100 mile range. Manufacturing to start in 2024.

4) Chinese EV company NIO installs 10th battery swap station in Europe, w/seven add’l stations ready soon, and 120 European stations by the end of year. NIO 1,300 locations in China, w/additional 400 stations by the end of 2023.

5) New York State publishes framework to install 6,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, equivalent to about 20% of the state's peak electricity demand. 

CA regulators significantly cut compensation to new rooftop solar; massive gas leak from PA storage facility: AES and Air Products ink 30-yr H2 deal, w/1,400 MW of renewables tied to electrolyzers yielding 200 metric tons of green H2/day; Stellantis utilizing MI Utility DTE Energy’s voluntary renewable energy program to add 400 MW of in-state solar; Team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories conducts first fusion experiment in history to yield net energy.

1) The CA PUC approves reduction in compensation for surplus exported from on-site solar panels, to be based on avoided costs (largely market rates) rather than net metering, w/goal of incentivizing storage.

2) Bloomberg reports 13-day leak at Equitrans PA gas storage facility allowed over 1 billion cubic feet of methane to escape, equal to the annual CO2 output from over 343,000 cars. 

3) AES and Air Products, announce 30-year contract for $4 billion green H2 facility in Texas, w/1.4 GW of new wind and solar projects tied to electrolyzers capable of 200 metric tons of green H2 per day. Renewable and electrolyzer assets owned on 50-50 basis, w/Air Products as exclusive offtaker and marketer.

4) Stellantis working w/Michigan Utility DTE Energy and voluntary renewable energy program to add 400 MW of in-state solar, supplying 70 Southeast Michigan sites by 2026, and cutting North American emissions by 50%. 

5) Team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories National Ignition Facility conducts first controlled fusion experiment in history to yielded more energy from the fusion process than the laser energy used to start it. Lab's 192 laser array delivered 2.05 megajoules of energy to hydrogen target and measured 3.15 megajoules of output, heating hydrogen to 150 million degrees Celsius, 10 times the heat of the sun with pressure over twice that at the sun's Center. Commercialization at least a decade away.

Two Duke NC substations targeted by gunfire, resulting in five-day outage to 40,000 customers. Electric infrastructure in OR and WA State also attacked in six separate incidents, w/some involving firearms, leading to brief outages; US Bureau of Ocean Energy holds offshore wind lease auctions w/five winners paying total $757 mn; NJ increases latest offshore wind solicitation from 1.2 to 4 GW; GM rolls out massive Level 2 charger deployment program at dealers, supporting as many as 40,000 chargers - open to all drivers; Ford Pro business unit to deliver 2000 electric delivery vans to Deutsche Post DHL by the end of 2023; China to install 80 GW of solar this year; Starwood Energy implodes 242 MW NJ coal plant, plans to replace w/$1 billion clean energy investment.

1) Two Duke Energy NC substations attacked w/multiple rounds of gunfire, resulting in five-day blackout for 40,000 customers. Six substations in OR and WA also attacked –some w/gunfire – in late November.

2) US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's offshore wind energy auction for five CA leases, covering 375,000 acres, nets $757 million from five different bidders. Areas will support floating wind, w/4.6 GW of potential capacity.

3) NJ ups third offshore wind solicitation target from 1.2 to 4 GW, includes new proposed requirements including inflation adjustment mechanism, requirements for supply chain facilities, and minimum environmental standards.

4) GM installs first Level 2 EV Chargers at dealers in Wisconsin and Michigan under its Dealer Community Charging Program that may include up to 40,000 Level 2 chargers across the country, open to all EV drivers.

5) Ford Pro biz unit to deliver 2000 electric delivery vans to Deutsche DHL by end of 2023. MOU between two companies foresees add’l deliveries, as well as DHL's implementation of the Ford Pro suite of software products - a big potential growth opportunity for Ford.

6) China installs 58.2 GW of solar thru first 10 months of 2022, with 80 GW target for entire year.

7) Starwood Energy demolishes 242 MW NJ Logan Coal Plant in NJ, and plans to replace w/$1 billion clean energy project featuring battery energy storage, w/project specifics undisclosed.

U.S. DOC finds circumvention of solar panel tariffs has occurred, final decision May 2023; EU displeased w/U.S. domestic content provisions in IRA; States seeking IRA money to clean up abandoned wells identify 120,000 orphaned wells; PJM to manage interconnection queue w/"first ready first serve" review process, w/new projects waiting to 2026; CAISO sees $1.2 bn benefit from Day-Ahead EIM market; 1st Tesla 1 MW semi-tractor trailer delivered to PepsiCo; Hyundai Motor and EG Energy Solution eyeing two battery plants in Georgia, at 35 GWh each; Vietnamese automaker VinFast ships first batch of electric SUVs to US; China Three Gorges/Goldwind 16 MW offshore wind turbine technology is ready for market. It's largest in the world, but Chinese competitor, CCS Haizhuang is set to unveil 18 MW turbine mid-December.

1) US Department of Commerce finds a number of Chinese solar manufacturers circumventing tariffs by assembling equipment in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Some large Chinese manufacturers unaffected. Final determination next May.

2) EU expresses concern over US domestic content policy for batteries and EVs, and issue discussed during Biden-Macron summit. Biden reassures, "tweaks” can be made.

3) With $4.7 bn in IRA resources for plugging abandoned hydrocarbon wells, states identify 120,000 locations.

4) PJM to apply "first ready first serve" review process to interconnection queue, aggregating proposals and assigning related system upgrade costs to clusters per FERC-approved plan. New projects must wait to early 2026.

5) CAISO projects $1.2 benefit from EIM Day-Ahead market, w/ final market proposal by early Dec, decisions by all participants by February, and beginning of voluntary market operations by 2024.

6) E-trucks are here: Tesla Semi tractor trailer truck delivered to PepsiCo. Renault deliveres e-truck to Coke, and Daimler Freightliner eCascadias delivered to Penske Truck Leasing and Cisco.

7) Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution look at jointly building two battery plants in Georgia, at 35 GWh each.

8) Vietnamese automaker VinFast ships 1st batch of VF8 electric SUVs to US, w/deliveries due end of year.

9) China Three Gorges Corporation and Goldwind Technology roll out 16 MW offshore wind turbine - the largest in the world - but competitor CCS Haizhuang is set to unveil 18 MW turbine by mid-month.

IRA attracting domestic investment in solar panel manuf'g, w/Enel and First Solar adding 9,300 MW of U.S. manuf’g capacity; Pattern Energy gets OK from AZ for 550-mile, 3,000 MW HVDC transmission line from central NM to south central AZ; Nuscale's SMR nuke pricing of 1st contract jumps from $58/MWh, to up to $90 - $100/MWh, owing to supply chain & inflation pressures; Biden admin to release $350 mn for 11 long-duration storage demo projects of 10+ hours; Volvo Trucks’ heavy-duty electric 44-ton trucks including parts made of fossil-free steel; VW sells 500,000th EV; Volvo joins w/Pilot to build charging network for medium/heavy duty electric trucks at Pilot and Flying J travel centers; CA PUC announces $1 bn for state's EV charging network, w/ focus on medium/heavy-duty vehicles & multi-unit family dwellings; Royal Schiphol Group to install 10,000 EV charging stations at Dutch airports by 2030; Panasonic in multi $bn deal to buy recycled battery materials for Kansas gigafactory from Redwood Materials, starting 2025.

1) Inflation Reduction Act enticing major investments in U.S. solar plants, w/ Enel planing on up to 6,000 MW of bifacial heterojunction PV manufacturing in US starting first half of 2023, and First Solar w/ add’l 3,300 MW of new thin film plant capacity.

2) Pattern Energy gets OK from AZ regulators for 550-mile, 525 kV HVDC SunZia transmission line for 3,000 MW of wind energy from Central NM to South Central AZ.

3) Price tag for Nuscale's 1st US SMR nuclear contract w/Utah Associated Muni Power Systems increasing from $58/MWh to as much $90-$100/MWh, a result of increased steel costs and inflation.

4) Biden Admin offers $350 mn to support 11 long-duration (10+ hours) storage demo projects.

5) Volvo Trucks new electric 44 ton trucks are the first trucks in world to have parts made from fossil free steel, made by Sweden’s SSAB using hydrogen-based Direct Reduction technology.

6) VW notches 500,000 sales of ID brand of EVs.

7) Volvo and Pilot roll out plans for U.S. high-performance public charging network for medium/heavy duty electric trucks at Pilot and Flying J Travel centers.

8) CA PUC unveils five-yr, $1 bn plan to build EV charging network for medium/heavy-duty trucks as well as multi-unit family dwellings.

9) Royal Schiphol Group to install 10,000 EV charging stations at Netherlands airports by 2030.

10) Panasonic will buy re-manufactured battery cathode materials from battery recycler Redwood Materials for Kansas Gigafactory as in multi $bn deal, starting 2025.

US Customs seizes over 1,000 shipments of Chinese solar panels worth hundreds of millions of dollars between June and October; French Senate OKs bill requiring all parking lots w/80+ spaces to be at least 50% covered by solar canopies w/in next 6 years; Together SDG&E and GM look into tapping bi-directional EVs as grid resources; Sweden's new government scraps climate bonus subsidy for EVs; Hawai'i PUC sets broadly applicable new tariff w/TOU rate structure to account for enormous solar influx; CA PUC proposes new Net Metering tariffs w/reduced paymts for solar; Canada forces 3 Chinese cos. to divest holdings in Canadian critical minerals cos, principally focused on lithium; Texas struggles w/ grid reliability, and regulators flirt with some type of capacity payment.

1) US Customs seizes over 1,000 shipments of Chinese solar panels worth hundreds of millions of dollars between June and October, a consequence of the Uyghur Forced Labor Production Act restricting imports from China's Xinjiang province over forced labor concerns in solar supply chain.

2) French Senate passes bill requiring all parking lots w/ 80+ spaces to have solar canopies covering 50+% of space w/in 6 years, creating up to 11,000 MW of new solar capacity.

3) San Diego Gas and Electric and GM will collaborate to integrate bi-directional EVs into grid as local resources, evaluating necessary hardware, software, processes and construction considerations.

4) Sweden's new government eliminates climate bonus subsidy for EVs, since total cost of ownership is now similar to that for internal combustion vehicles.

5) Hawai’i PUC sets new tariff w/time of use rate structure to reflect grid dominated by solar, and reflect cost of service.

6) California PUC releases Net Energy Metering 3.0, w/significant cut to value of solar exported to the grid - based on hourly TOU rates. A boost to storage.

7) Canada tells 3 Chinese companies to sell investments in Canadian critical minerals companies focused on lithium, per Investment Canada Act.

8) Texas struggles w/issue of resource adequacy, and how to incentivize resources needed for growth and grid reliability. Some form of capacity payment structure likely.

Avangrid presses for renegotiation on 1200 MW offshore wind proj, utilities say no, & Gov Baker says “talk” but don’t re-open process; BOEM finalizes 2 offshore wind areas in Gulf of Mexico off TX & LA, at over 680,000 acres; Q3 rough for U.S. renewables, w/supply chain a crippling factor; Google to sign 942 MW PPA w/SB Energy for supply from 4 Texas solar projects; DTE Electric files IRP w/$9 billion of expenditures on renewables & storage. Will also convert 1,270 MW of coal to gas by 2025/2026, and retire two more coal units totaling 1,535 MW in 2028; Xcel Energy to stop using coal across 8-state territory by 2030, accelerate closure of coal units at 1,067 MW plant in Texas by 2028; KB Home partners w/SunPower/others to build community microgrid w/219 solar & battery-powered homes, backed by larger shared community battery; Texas PUC OKs 80 MW DER pilot; SunRun to create 17 MW VPP in Puerto Rico from 7,000 residential solar & storage installations; EV charging co Wallbox opens charger manufacturing plant in TX.

1) Avangrid seeks delay in contract decision, citing cost increases. Utilities say no, and Gov Baker says time to talk, but do not re-open procurement.

2) US Bureau of Ocean Energy Mgmt finalizes two Gulf of Mexico offshore wind energy areas at over 680,000 acres off TX & LA.

3) Renewables stumble in Q3, w/only 3,400 MW of capacity commissioned, & 14,000 MW of projects delayed. Solar supply chains a key challenge. Only battery storage installations thrive, up 227% YOY.

4) Google to ink 942 MW PPA w/SB Energy from four SB TX-based solar projects, using First Solar's thin film panels, supplying Google's Midlothian, TX Data Center by mid 2024.

5) DTE Electric files IRP w/$9 bn for 4,400 MW of solar, 1,000 MW of wind & 760 MW of battery storage over next decade. Also to convert 2 coal units at 1,270 MW Belle River Power Plant to gas by 2025/2026, and retire 2 more coal units totaling 1,535 MW in 2028.

6) Xcel Energy to quit coal across 8-state territory by 2030, hasten closure of coal units at 1,067 MW Tolk station in TX by 2028, 4 years early, replace asset w/wind & solar.

7) SunPower, U of California, Schneider Electric, SoCal Ed work w/KB Home on energy-smart connected communities in CA. 219 all-electric residences to be solar powered w/SunPower solar and 13 kWh battery systems connected to a micro grid with its own shared larger community battery.

8) TX PUC OKs 80 MW DER pilot, w/state utilities participating. Customers w/gen, storage, & controllable load < 1 MW can play in wholesale markets.

9) SunRun to develop 17 MW VPP in Puerto Rico from 7,000 residential solar & storage installations, to minimize outages and improve power quality on grid.

10) EV charging co Wallbox commissions plant in Texas, to produce over 250,000 units in 2022 and 1 million by 2030. Wallbox demonstrates 400 kW fast DC charger offering 100 miles of range in five minutes.

Avangrid seeks 1-month suspension of offshore wind PPA review, citing supply chain & inflation, seeks change to PPA; Siemens Gamesa upgrades wind turbine to rated output of 7 MW; SRP signs contracts w/Plus Power for 2 battery storage systems totaling 340 MW and 1,360 MWh, ready by mid-2024; EV charging co Electrify America unveils 1st MW-level battery system in Baker, California at 1.5 MW/3 MWh, as buffer betw chargers and grid; PG&E gets approval for nation's first V2G tariff for commercial EV charging customers; Reuters review sees world's top auto OEMs spending $1.2 trillion through 2030 on EVs, batteries, & raw materials; Pacific Corp and modular nuclear co TerraPower evaluating 5 sites for TerraPower's fast sodium nukes integrated w/molten salt storage; Micro inverter co Enphase to onshore some product manufacturing in response to IRA tax credits; BNEF estimates a price tag of $262 billion for Europe and US to domestically make all batteries & solar panels necessary to meet 2030 demand; Study in Nature suggests “made in America” approach may conflict with U.S. emissions reduction goals.

1) Avangrid files a motion in MA for one month suspension of offshore Commonwealth Wind PPA, citing, "economic challenges… historic price increases, sharp and sudden increases in interest rates,” and requests, "modest changes", to associated PPA.

2) Siemens Gamesa releases a wind turbine on its 5.X platform w/rated output of 7 MW, for medium to high wind speed locations.

3) Salt River Project inks agreement w/Plus Power for two battery storage systems totaling 340 MW, and 1,360 MWh to be operational by mid-2024. Both to be owned and operated by Plus Power subsidiary, w/SRP retaining dispatch control.

4) EV charging co Electrify America installing battery storage systems at DC Fast Charging stations to act as buffers, managing costs and reducing stress on grid. First MW-level system now online in Baker, California at 1.5 MW/3 MWh.

5) PG&E receives OK for the nation's first V2G tariff for commercial EV charging customers, compensating EVs for exporting power back to grid during peak periods.

6) Reuters review sees the world's top automakers spending $1.2 trillion through 2030 on EVs, batteries, and associated raw materials, up 2X from review a year ago.

7) Pacific Corp and modular nuclear reactor company, TerraPower announced they're evaluating five sites for TerraPower's fast sodium MNRs integrated w/molten salt storage.

8) Micro inverter supplier Enphase will onshore some product manufacturing in response to the recent IRA and tax credit of 11 cents/watt for microinverters.

9) BNEF estimates cost of $149 billion for Europe and $113 billion for the US to domestically produce all batteries and solar panels necessary to meet demand by 2030.

10) Study in Nature sees “made in America approach” conflicting w/U.S. emissions reduction goals, in part due to price increases.