News & Events
Interest in Hybrid and Co-Located Power Plants Continues to Grow
Newly released data compilation from Berkeley Lab tracks existing and proposed projects
Falling battery prices and the growth of variable renewable generation are driving a surge of interest in “hybrid” power plants that combine, for example, wind or solar generating capacity with co-located batteries. While most of the current interest involves pairing photovoltaic (PV) plants with batteries, other types of hybrid or co-located plants with wide-ranging configurations have been part of the U.S. electricity mix for decades.
Distributed solar-plus-storage data and trends detailed in new Berkeley Lab report
As the distributed solar market evolves toward more dynamic forms of deployment, interest in paired solar-plus-storage applications continues to gain steam, but details on the current state of the market are relatively sparse. To fill that void, Berkeley Lab has released an in-depth analysis of this budding market segment.
Still the One: New Study Finds Efficiency Remains a Cost-Effective Electricity Resource
Energy efficiency continues to be a low-cost way to meet electricity needs, according to a new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) with support from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The U.S. DOE and Berkeley Lab release streamlined tool to help state and local governments demonstrate the value of energy savings performance contracts
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Berkeley Lab) have released eProject eXpress (ePX), which provides a streamlined, tailored pathway for state and local governments to document, track, and demonstrate the ongoing value of their energy project retrofits.
The Declining Cost of Wind and Solar Power Is In a Race With Declining Market Value: Which Will Win?
In regions where wind and solar make up a large share of power generation, sunny and windy days lead to a glut of electricity supply, driving down hourly power prices – especially for that same wind and solar generation.
While lower prices are good for consumers, this decline in market value is not as good for producers. It could potentially limit wind and solar deployment and thus endanger decarbonization goals.
New data products from Berkeley Lab summarize proposed projects in interconnection queues
The amount of new power generation and energy storage in the transmission interconnection queues across America continues to rise, reaching a new record of over 750 GW of generation and an estimated 200 GW of storage capacity at the end of 2020. To put that in perspective, the United States had 1,117 GW of total utility-scale electricity generating capacity in operation last year.
New data tool explores trends in wholesale power prices and renewable energy supply
Exploring Wholesale Energy Price Trends: Introducing the Renewables and Wholesale Electricity Prices (ReWEP) tool
Where should batteries be put to manage wind and solar power?
Batteries are becoming an increasingly common part of new power generation projects, especially for solar and wind farms. Solar projects use batteries to shift generation from the day to the evening, to capture higher power prices as the sun goes down. Wind projects can use batteries to smooth power output and avoid congestion.
New DOE Report Shares National Roadmap for Grid-Interactive Energy-Efficient Buildings
We are pleased to announce the publication of A National Roadmap for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings, a comprehensive plan describing the value that grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) can add to the power system, their technology attributes, and recommendations for addressing the top barriers to GEB adoption and deployment.
New Berkeley Lab study analyzes the financial performance of Connecticut solar leasing program that targets low- and moderate-income customers
Policymakers are increasingly interested in how to expand access to rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Are We Underestimating the Potential for Wind Energy Cost Reductions…and also the Uncertainty?
Prices for wind energy have hit rock bottom as the market has expanded, driven by technology innovation, industry maturation, and macroeconomic factors.
New Berkeley Lab Report Looks at How Low- and Moderate-Income Solar Programs are Evaluated
Over 40 programs seek to bring solar to low-income households, but with varying levels of evaluation
Eleven Remote and Island Communities Join Berkeley Lab in First Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project
Remote and island communities face high energy costs and vulnerable energy infrastructures, and are at increased risk of natural disasters and climate change impacts. Sustainable solutions that emphasize holistic energy planning are of paramount importance, yet advancing energy transition plans for these small communities is often difficult due to limited resources or capacity.
Experts’ Predictions for Future Wind Energy Costs Drop Significantly
Berkeley Lab-led study shows expected cost declines of 17%-35% by 2035 and 37%-49% by 2050
Halfway to Zero: Progress towards a Carbon-Free Power Sector
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new report that documents past progress in power-sector decarbonization. Sharply reducing carbon emissions is imperative to prevent the worst effects of climate change.
U.S. Power Sector is Halfway to Zero Carbon Emissions
New Berkeley Lab study reviews progress towards a carbon-free power sector
New Berkeley Lab report on solar-adopter income trends
A new report by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory highlights income, demographic, and other socio-economic trends among U.S. residential rooftop solar adopters.
March 25, 2021 Calling All Resources for Utility Procurements
Rapid technology changes are driving renewed interest in all-source competitive solicitations by electric utilities. This type of procurement allows all potential resources — utility-scale and distributed energy resources (DERs), whether owned by utilities, customers or third parties — to compete to meet a utility’s needs.
Wind Energy Development Delivers Significant Revenue To Local School Coffers, Driving Capital Spending, Berkeley Lab Study Finds
Student-Teacher ratios, an important student outcome, show small to non-existent increases, though, with also no apparent change in test scores
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
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In this role, you will manage, lead, develop and conduct research and technical assistance activities in areas such as utility regulation and business models, performance-based regulation, evolving utility commercial opportunities, rate making, and rate design within the EMP Department. Your work will require you to interact with research scientists, project team members, and external customers to achieve program success.