Strategies for Improving Clean Energy Infrastructure

'Mining the Sun, a report by The Nature Conservancy coming later in 2023, suggests that strategically siting new energy infrastructure on degraded lands like mining sites, landfills and brownfields can cost-effectively transform these sites into clean energy hubs that contribute significantly to the nation's clean energy goals. The Mining the Sun report will provide resources for energy developers and landowners interested in building clean energy projects on mine lands, brownfields, and landfills. It will include overviews of relevant state and federal policies, economic analyses, community engagement principles and maps showing brownfield and mine sites viable for energy development. 5 Benefits of Solar Energy on Former Mines and Brownfields: Affordable development: It has long been thought that building new energy projects on brownfields comes with a 10% increase in project cost. New federal incentives can help reduce costs for renewable energy developers and make projects more affordable. Existing infrastructure: Mines often have pre-existing transmission lines, roads, and other infrastructure that clean energy projects can leverage. For example, solar arrays need to be installed on level land, which many former mines and quarries have already graded. Taking advantage of the previously built infrastructure can be one way to help keep project costs down. Economic revitalization: Coal mines were once economic drivers for many communities, but the energy workforce opportunities have dwindled with their closure. Revitalizing mine lands with new clean energy projects can provide new revenue streams, like lease income for landowners, and the possibility of construction jobs. Meeting electricity demands: To achieve climate goals, the U.S. will have to convert existing electricity to cleaner sources and develop new clean electric supply to support increased electric use as more Americans switch to electric vehicles and heating sources. Clean energy development on mine lands and other brownfields can expand to meet the growing need for reliable electricity supplies across the country. Minimizing environmental impact: When renewables are sited on natural areas, they disturb the fragile ecosystems and potentially create social conflict in the local areas. Building on lands that have already been disturbed, like mines and brownfields, can avoid disrupting the habitats that are home to many plants and animals.' Courtesy The Nature Conservancy #brownfield #cleanenergyfuture #nxtgen #cleanenergyrevolution Maria Bries Stacy Milheiser Paul Johnson Kelvis Amayoti Jim Walker, P.E. Leon Gerard Vandenberg NXTGEN Clean Energy Solutions Diego Balverde

How California Plans to Retire Gas Lines Without Leaving Communities Behind California faces an infrastructure challenge that's rarely discussed: maintaining over 100,000 miles of gas pipelines costs $3 million per mile, yet this vast network will become increasingly underutilized as buildings transition to electric appliances. Who pays to maintain the system as customers leave? The state is testing an innovative solution that could reshape how we think about energy infrastructure transitions. Under new legislation (SB 1221), California is launching 30 pilot projects where entire neighborhoods can voluntarily switch from gas to electric together, allowing strategic retirement of gas infrastructure. Here's why this matters: The Current Challenge: When individual homes switch to all-electric appliances, remaining gas customers must shoulder higher costs to maintain the same pipeline network. This creates an equity problem, as early adopters tend to be higher-income households, leaving others to bear increasing infrastructure costs. The New Approach: - Neighborhoods can vote to transition together (67% approval needed) - Utilities redirect pipeline maintenance funds to cover electric upgrades - Priority given to disadvantaged communities  - Gas infrastructure retired systematically rather than randomly The Broader Implications: This pilot program tests a crucial concept: how to fairly manage the retirement of legacy infrastructure as technology changes. Rather than letting infrastructure decay randomly or burdening remaining customers, it creates a framework for planned, equitable transitions. For utilities, developers, and community leaders across the country, California's experiment offers valuable lessons in managing the complex intersection of infrastructure retirement, equity, and clean energy adoption. Question for energy infrastructure planners: How are you thinking about managing legacy systems as electrification accelerates? What aspects of California's approach could work in your region? #Infrastructure #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #EquitableTransition

“The Economic Reality of Tech Innovation: Imperative for Bipartisan Support” Bipartisan support is essential to avoid "unintended consequences." Clean energy innovation is a complex issue with long-term implications for national security, economic prosperity and environmental health. - Policy Stability: Long-term clean energy investments require stable and predictable policy frameworks. Shifting priorities with each change in administration or political party can deter private investment and slow progress. - Global Leadership: The U.S. has an opportunity to set a global standard for sustainable data center development, influencing practices worldwide and maintaining its competitive edge. Moving Forward: Constructive Analysis for Best Practices An open discussion for constructive analysis and best practices should include: 1. Accelerating Permitting: Bipartisan efforts to streamline permitting for clean energy projects and data centers, while maintaining environmental standards. 2. Strategic Grid Modernization: Investing in smart grid technologies, transmission line upgrades, and distributed energy resources to enhance capacity and resilience. 3. Diversifying Clean Energy Portfolio: Promoting research, development, and deployment of a wider range of clean energy technologies, including advanced nuclear, geothermal, and long-duration storage, to complement intermittent renewables. 4. Incentivizing On-site/Co-located Clean Energy: Encouraging data centers to build their own clean energy sources or co-locate near renewable energy facilities. 5. Energy Efficiency and Demand Response: Continuing to push for innovations in data center energy efficiency (e.g., advanced cooling, optimized server utilization) and exploring demand response programs to help balance grid loads. 6. Data and Transparency: Improving data collection and sharing between utilities, data center developers and policymakers to better forecast demand and plan infrastructure. 7. Workforce Development: Investing in training programs to develop the skilled workforce needed for the clean energy and data center industries. By fostering bipartisan collaboration on these issues, the U.S. can ensure continued investment in clean energy, strengthen its infrastructure and maintain its leadership in the rapidly evolving digital economy, rather than facing unintentional disadvantages in the global data center race. Because currently, the Reconciliation Bill represents a major fork in the road on these issues and is actively being finalized in the Senate right now. Despite clean energy incentives having bipartisan support from lawmakers and constituents alike, they are all at risk of elimination, and we must ensure the Senate knows where we stand. What are your suggestions (forward thinking) for Best Practices? #TechWeekNYC #CleanEnergy #InnovationPolicy #DigitalInfrastructure #GridModernization

Excellent new report from The Brattle Group and Clean Air Task Force, "Optimizing Grid Infrastructure & Proactive Planning to Support Load Growth and Public Policy Goals." The report is a treasure trove of actionable ideas, but two stand out in particular relevant to our research: 𝟭) 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼-𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 “𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀”: Co-locating new load with new on-site generation in controllable “energy parks” (i.e., large microgrids) can minimize or avoid entirely the need for transmission upgrades, increasing speed to market while reducing system and customer costs and potentially providing emissions reduction benefits. 𝟮) 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 (𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗦) 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 (𝗡𝗥𝗜𝗦, 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆) 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿: Simplifying energy-only interconnection criteria for new POIs to reflect the non-firm (i.e., dispatchable down or curtailable) nature of resources would avoid such time-consuming network upgrades and dramatically speed up interconnection timelines by relying on market-based congestion management to avoid network overloads, as illustrated in a recent Duke University study. Well done Johannes Pfeifenberger Long Lam Kailin Graham Natalie Northrup Ryan Hledik and Nicole Pavia Kasparas Spokas! Summary: https://lnkd.in/eaUmHvgi Full report: https://lnkd.in/eJx-zGzt

Balancing Grid Reliability and Affordability: Solutions for Secure Energy Supply The future of the energy industry in my home state of #Texas holds immense promise, with the dynamic landscape poised for innovation, sustainability, and robust economic growth. Emphasizing the importance of offering solutions alongside criticisms of the status quo, I firmly believe in a balanced approach that places equal emphasis on reliability and environmental responsibility. At Sunnova Energy, we are actively engaged in developing #cleanenergy solutions that not only bolster grid resilience but also remain affordable for consumers. Proposed solutions encompass several key aspects: 1. Ownership Separation: It's essential to separate the ownership of transmission and distribution infrastructure (the "wires”) from ownership of generation assets. This separation fosters healthy competition, minimizes conflicts of interest, and enhances grid management. 2. Shareholder Incentives for Efficiency: To ensure that the transmission and distribution companies (“wires”) prioritize cost efficiency, shareholders need to benefit directly from spending cuts. Additionally, these companies should not be permitted to charge fixed charges that exceed 30% of the total rate, to safeguard consumers from excessive costs. 3. Equal Market Rules: Implementing uniform regulations for both small and large energy generation ensures a level playing field in the energy market, promoting competition and innovation that can lead to more affordable and dependable #energy options for consumers. 4. Transparent Data Sharing: Utilities must share customer energy use data in real-time to their customers’ preferred energy suppliers. This transparency will permit behind-the-meter resources to contribute more effectively to grid management and wholesale markets. 5. Ethical Financial Practices: To maintain the integrity of the regulatory process, utilities should be barred from using ratepayer funds for lobbying. And Public Utility Commission members, staff, community organizations, and media outlets should be prohibited from receiving such funds. Former PUC members should be barred from working for entities they once regulated, ensuring a clear separation between regulatory oversight and industry interests. These practical and realistic solutions ensure the protection of consumers and prioritizes their interests, while increasing the reliability and security of energy supply. Together, we can shape a more sustainable energy future that benefits all.

The World Economic Forum'S 2025 Energy Transition Index shows clear progress: the pace of transition has more than doubled in recent years. But behind the headline lies a deeper challenge—our #energy systems are still fragile, strained by rising geopolitical and economic headwinds. Sustained, accelerated #reinvention is no longer optional. To deliver energy systems that are cleaner and more resilient, we must shift from incremental change to system-level transformation. In our latest collaboration, Roberto Bocca and I lay out five strategic actions to help leaders build the adaptive, future-ready energy systems the world needs now: 1. Adopt stable, adaptive policy frameworks that support long-term investment and cross-sector collaboration  2. Modernize infrastructure—especially grids and storage—to improve reliability and integration  3. Invest in skilled talent to unlock innovation and boost delivery capacity  4. Accelerate clean tech commercialization, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors  5. Boost capital flows to developing economies, where energy transitions must be inclusive and equitable The future of energy isn’t just about being clean—it’s about being competitive, inclusive, and shock-resistant. We believe the path forward starts with coordinated action, pragmatic policy, and bold investment. Because resilient energy systems aren't just a climate goal—they’re the backbone of global economic security. Read the full analysis: https://lnkd.in/gSAZ2XNg #ETI25 #EnergyTransition #Reinvention #EnergyResilience Dr. Britta Daum Espen Mehlum David Rabley Stephanie Jamison John Downie Ashwini R.

To enable a clean #energytransition we need improvements to the #gridinfrastructure. But do we simply need new poles and wires and hard to obtain [new] rights of way? Or could a simple new technology help clear the backlog of clean electrons ready to power the U.S. grid? Super pumped about this analysis from former colleagues at Energy Innovation Policy and Technology LLC who partnered with the good folks at GridLab and University of California, Berkeley. "Building new #transmissionlines can take over a decade, and our rate of grid expansion is falling woefully short. But there’s a way to keep making progress in the near-term. Retrofitting existing power lines with #advancedconductors (aka #reconductoring) is a ready-to-deploy technology that can help new clean energy projects come online. Stringing advanced conductors on existing transmission towers expands the grid without needing to secure new rights of way and can free up clean energy projects stuck waiting to connect. It also creates major benefits, including quadrupling the current pace of nationwide transmission build-out and cutting the cost of a 90 percent clean grid $85 billion by 2035." Link: https://lnkd.in/e4iTVbwB

As the U.S. aims to become a global energy leader, we can do better than a D+. That’s the score earned from American Society of Civil Engineers, citing a lack of #transmission capacity, #distribution transformers shortage and increases in severe weather events among problems. Clean energy industries can meet the challenge of helping to solve America's grid and power supply woes. Every day, I work with leading developers and engineers delivering proven solutions while innovating for the future. Let's change that near-failing grade to an A+. Read ASCE's report below. Highlights: 📈 Energy demand is experiencing its highest growth in two decades. ⚡ Rapid acceleration means utilities will need to <<double>> existing transmission capacity to connect new renewable generation sources. ⚖️ Balanced investments in both generation and transmission & distribution systems are essential for reliable performance. - Transmission investments have risen by $5 billion from 2017 to 2022; the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act are supporting renewable technologies and grid hardening measures. - The U.S. experienced 2x more weather-related outages during the last 10 years than during the prior 10 years. - Weather accounts for 80% of electricity outages since 2000. - Energy interruptions bear significant costs on U.S. industries and consumers. 'Recommendations to Raise the Grade' ➡️ Adopt a federal energy policy for meeting current and future technology change, carbon reduction, renewables and distributed generation, state and market-based factors, and rate affordability. ➡️ Require energy providers to adopt the most stringent consensus-based codes and standards for all overhead T&D lines, structures, and substations to ensure #safety and increase #reliability. ➡️ Develop a robust national transformer inventory to ensure grid operators can replace transformers quickly and cost-effectively following disasters. ➡️ Improve grid and pipeline reliability by increasing frequency and effectiveness of critical asset inspections and focusing on robust risk mitigation. ➡️ Mitigate capacity shortfalls by accompanying major energy projects with sufficient #storage infrastructure. ➡️ Develop a national grid hardening plan that considers investment in production/generation and delivery to enable rapid restoration of energy systems after natural and/or man-made disasters. ➡️ Design energy infrastructure, including life-cycle cost analysis and construction of additional transmission grid infrastructure, to efficiently deliver power from generation sources to regions with greatest demand. ➡️ Adjust electricity rates to keep pace with capital expenditures and resilience initiatives. #PowerGrid #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Resilience Maria Bries Russ Bates Abby Hopper Sheri Givens Jonathan Rasmusson Dave Sillman Kelsey Misbrener NICO JOHNSON 🎙️ Juan Meneses https://lnkd.in/eifGDEqk