Solar Energy

Today at the CPUC: Legislative Lifeline for Ratepayers as AB 1999 Amends Utility Tax

Published

11 months ago

May 11, 2024

sarosh

Today at the CPUC: Legislative Lifeline for Ratepayers as AB 1999 Amends Utility Tax

by Bradley Bartz

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 11, 2024

In a rapid response to public outcry and mounting pressure, California lawmakers have taken decisive action to amend Assembly Bill 1999 (AB 1999), aiming to cap the controversial Big Utility Tax. This legislative effort follows closely on the heels of the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) decision to impose a $24/month Utility Tax starting in 2026, which would affect approximately four million households across the state, including many solar users.

Yesterday, the CPUC approved what will be the second largest Utility Tax in the nation, set to increase household energy bills significantly. This decision has catalyzed urgent legislative efforts to mitigate the financial burden on Californians, particularly renters, seniors, and those using renewable energy sources like solar.

Legislative Response and AB 1999

Thanks to widespread public and industry advocacy, AB 1999 has been swiftly revived and amended by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. The amended bill, which now includes a cap on the Utility Tax at $24 and ties any future increases strictly to the rate of inflation, offers a pragmatic approach to a potential financial escalation. Notably, the bill proposes a sunset clause for the tax in 2028, providing a clear end date to the imposed charges.

The revival of AB 1999 is a testament to the effectiveness of collective voice and action. The public’s response, including a significant protest outside the CPUC meeting, has been a critical factor in the rapid legislative developments. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, author of AB 1999, has been pivotal in keeping the bill active and pushing for amendments that align more closely with public interest.

The issue has garnered extensive media attention, with major outlets like the LA Times and San Francisco Chronicle highlighting the implications of the new Utility Tax. This coverage has played a crucial role in informing the public and amplifying the call for legislative action.

The legislative journey for AB 1999 is far from over. The bill faces several hurdles before it can be passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. To support this effort, a Zoom Webinar is scheduled for May 16th, where details of the AB 1999 amendments will be discussed, and strategies to advocate for its passage will be shared.

The CPUC’s decision and the subsequent legislative actions highlight the ongoing debate over energy policy in California, particularly the balance between funding utility infrastructure and promoting renewable energy adoption. As the state progresses towards its clean energy goals, the outcomes of these legislative efforts will significantly influence the economic landscape for millions of Californians.

More at the CPUC: A New Era for Solar with Resolution E-5260

In a significant move aimed at bolstering California’s clean energy goals, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a series of advice letters from the state’s major utility companies-Pacific Gas and Electric (PG and E), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), and Southern California Edison (SCE). These advice letters introduce Operational Flexibility Pilot proposals, marking a critical step toward enhancing grid reliability and integration of renewable resources.

This approval, encapsulated in Resolution E-5260, comes at a crucial time when California is pushing aggressively to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets. The approved pilots by PG and E, SDG&E, and SCE are set to test innovative approaches to managing the electric grid, which could significantly impact how solar energy is incorporated into the system.

The Operational Flexibility Pilots are designed to test new methods of energy management that could make the grid more adaptable to the fluctuations inherent in renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. By improving how the grid handles these fluctuations, California can better utilize its substantial solar resources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and make strides towards its clean energy future.

This development is especially significant given the context of California’s energy landscape. With the state committed to achieving 100% clean energy by 2045, initiatives like these are critical. They not only support the grid’s operational integrity but also ensure that the integration of renewable energy is both sustainable and efficient.

The CPUC’s decision to approve these pilots followed comprehensive reviews and inputs from various stakeholders, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing California’s energy challenges. Looking ahead, the outcomes of these pilots will provide valuable insights that could lead to broader reforms in how energy is managed across the state, setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

Today at the CPUC is a dedicated series providing the latest updates from the California Public Utilities Commission. Focused on developments affecting the solar energy sector and broader renewable initiatives, this series aims to keep readers informed about the shifting dynamics of energy policy in California.

Bradley Bartz, founder of ABC Solar Incorporated and a vocal advocate at the CPUC, continues to play a crucial role in navigating and interpreting the implications of utility regulations for the solar industry and its consumers.

For more detailed discussions and updates, follow the series and join upcoming webinars through The Solar Bible GPT by Bradley Bartz.

Source link

Solar Energy

Star Catcher showcases space energy beaming tech at Jacksonville stadium

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2025

sarosh

Star Catcher showcases space energy beaming tech at Jacksonville stadium

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 24, 2025

Star Catcher Industries, Inc. (“Star Catcher”), a leader in the field of space-to-space energy transfer, has completed its first public demonstration of space power beaming technology. This milestone event, held at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, marks significant progress toward the development of a space-based energy grid designed to provide uninterrupted power to satellites and space infrastructure.

During the demonstration, Star Catcher deployed its proprietary system to harness concentrated solar energy and beam it over a distance exceeding 100 meters. The energy was transmitted to a series of standard satellite solar panels, effectively showcasing the system’s compatibility with existing spacecraft hardware. This demonstration highlighted the adaptability of Star Catcher’s technology, which requires no modifications to current satellite power systems, allowing seamless integration into existing orbital platforms.

“This demonstration marks the first end-to-end test of our space power beaming technology, proving we can collect and wirelessly transmit energy with the precision needed for space applications,” said Andrew Rush, Co-Founder and CEO of Star Catcher. “Today’s success puts us one step closer to eliminating power constraints in space and unlocking new capabilities for satellites and the customers they serve.”

The EverBank Stadium event represents a foundational achievement for the planned Star Catcher Network, an orbital power infrastructure intended to offer on-demand, continuous energy supply to satellites and other space-based assets. By validating the core functionality of its power transmission technology in a real-world setting, Star Catcher has demonstrated its readiness to move toward larger-scale applications.

Looking ahead, the company is preparing for a more ambitious trial at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) this summer. This future demonstration aims to transmit hundreds of watts of power wirelessly across a distance greater than one kilometer, energizing multiple simulated satellites simultaneously. The LLF site, historically used for Space Shuttle landings, will provide a fitting backdrop for this next phase of development.

Star Catcher’s momentum in advancing space power solutions is further bolstered by recent financial and governmental support. The firm secured a $12.25 million seed investment co-led by Initialized Capital and B Capital. In addition, it received an AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 contract to enhance its capabilities in space-based power transmission.

Rooted in Jacksonville, Star Catcher has deep ties to the local space innovation ecosystem. By hosting its inaugural technology demonstration at EverBank Stadium, in partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the company reinforced its commitment to community involvement. The event also served as a unique educational platform, allowing local students to engage with groundbreaking space technology developed within their region.

Source link

Solar Energy

Framatome and Perpetual Atomics to Scale Up Space Battery Production for Future Missions

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2025

sarosh

Framatome and Perpetual Atomics to Scale Up Space Battery Production for Future Missions

by Sophie Jenkins

London, UK (SPX) Mar 24, 2025

Framatome and Perpetual Atomics have formalised a new strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming to scale up the production of americium-based radioisotope power systems, often referred to as “space batteries.” Signed during the Farnborough International Space Show, the agreement outlines a joint effort to advance the industrial processing of americium into sealed sources for radioisotope heater units (RHUs) and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs).

These power systems, which generate heat through the natural decay of radioisotopes, can use that heat directly or convert it into electrical energy. Among available isotopes, americium-241 stands out due to its lengthy half-life of approximately 430 years, making it an optimal choice for space missions requiring sustained energy over extended durations.

The collaboration is designed to address the need for reliable energy solutions for deep space exploration, with a focus on industrialising the manufacturing processes to meet the demands of upcoming missions.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Perpetual Atomics to jointly pioneer the further development of nuclear power technology, pushing new frontiers in enabling deep space exploration. The partnership forges Perpetual Atomics’ cutting-edge technology in radioisotope nuclear power systems with Framatome’s global nuclear pedigree in production-scale industrialisation,” said Dr. Kason Bala, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Defence and Space at Framatome Ltd.

Professor Richard Ambrosi, Chief Scientific Officer, founder, and Director of Perpetual Atomics, commented: “The UK and Europe host a large inventory of americium, and this combined with the technology maturity, know-how, and industrial capability to scale production and manufacturing establishes an important foundation for the UK and European Space Agency (ESA) programmes. Perpetual Atomics looks forward to working closely with Framatome to develop industrialisation solutions for radioisotope power systems at scale.”

The agreement leverages Framatome’s extensive experience in nuclear manufacturing and regulatory compliance and Perpetual Atomics’ two decades of innovation in the field, much of which has been driven by the Space Nuclear Power group at the University of Leicester. Framatome Space and Framatome Ltd are expected to play significant roles in supporting lunar and Mars exploration missions under UK and ESA initiatives later this decade.

Source link

Solar Energy

800-mn-euro battery factory to be built in Finland

Published

4 days ago

March 21, 2025

sarosh

800-mn-euro battery factory to be built in Finland

by AFP Staff Writers

Helsinki (AFP) Mar 20, 2025

A Chinese-Finnish company announced Thursday it would begin building a battery materials plant in Finland in April, the first of its kind in the Nordic country.

The plant will produce cathode active material, a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and for energy storage, said Easpring Finland New Materials, a company co-owned by Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology.

It said the investment was worth 800 million euros ($868 million).

The announcement came one week after a bankruptcy filing by Swedish battery maker Northvolt, which had planned to develop cathode production but dropped those plans to focus on battery cell production as it fought for survival.

Easpring Finland New Materials said commercial production was expected to begin in 2027.

The plant, to be located in Kotka in southeast Finland, will initially produce 60,000 tonnes of cathode active material annually.

At full production capacity, it could supply cathode material for the production of around 750,000 electric vehicles annually, the company said.

Matti Hietanen, the chief executive of Finnish Minerals Group, said the investment created an “entirely new kind of industry in Finland related to the production of lithium-ion batteries” and represented a European “spearhead project for the industry.”

The new plant will employ 270 people and an area of around 80 hectares had been reserved for its construction.

Source link