by The Associated Press
ST.
PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new report from a Minnesota university shows
adding energy storage may be a cost effective way to help meet the
state’s electricity demand.
University
of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab presented its report to the
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this month, Minnesota Public Radio
(http://bit.ly/2u8Mrpj) reported. The commission recommended the state pursue energy storage pilot projects.
Natural
gas power plants are typically used during peak demand because they can
be ramped up and down quickly. New natural gas plants generating about
1,800 megawatts are planned for the state by 2028 to help meet the peak
demand, said lab director Ellen Anderson.
Anderson said the cost of building more solar arrays with batteries is
more cost effective than building a conventional plant because the
technology is now cheaper and there are federal tax credits which can be
applied to facilities.
Minnesota
has also adopted policies that can give solar energy projects higher
value than fossil fuel energy projects because of the environmental
impact.
“What
we’re seeing is we’re right on that precipice where now it’s actually
today viable to put some in the ground,” said Chris Clack with Vibrant
Clean Energy.
The
report also found the state could better utilize wind energy resources.
Wind turbines are currently set to produce less electricity if the
energy supply exceeds the demand.
___
Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mprnews.org
Đăng nhận xét