The transition to clean energy is exactly that: a transition. While we must bear in mind that electricity is only one (large) portion of energy demand, the transformation to a renewables-based future is happening extremely quickly, but there are still steps that need to be taken for the grid to fully take onboard their value and replace fossil fuels.
One major step in the US is the ongoing implementation of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 841, allowing energy storage resources to participate in wholesale markets operated in the main regional transmission operator (RTO) and independent system operator (ISO) grid services areas.
At a technical conference hosted online by FERC, chairman Neil Chatterjee reiterated that “breaking down barriers to energy storage resources” has been a huge focus of his team’s work, calling FERC Order 841 a “landmark effort for energy storage technology to participate and compete”.
“Order 841 will be seen as the most important step this commission could take to ensure a clean energy future,” Chatterjee said, with all six RTOs engaged in the process to make Order 841 “reality”.
However, the focus of the technical conference, held on 23 July, was to look at another major step forward, enabling the pairing of energy storage with generation facilities – described as ‘hybrid resources’.
“The time is right to discuss the next wave of opportunities for storage resources,” Chatterjee said.
FERC Commissioner Glick added that “we need to take a look at market rules – are they acting as barriers? And what can we do?”
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