Justin Miller

Can climate modeling software help Xcel Energy improve renewable reliability? Under a pilot program, Xcel Energy Colorado will simulate the electric grid of Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) — an operating company subsidiary of Xcel Energy — as it adds significant new wind and solar generation capacity over the next 15 years. http://ow.ly/yZeU105Pjhg

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The CPUC can't control what isn't attached, at some point the lower cost of solar and storage will allow communities to just drop off the grid... https://lnkd.in/gdZWWKVR

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NPR's Planet Money recently ran a segment on "Rooftop solar's dark side." (link in the comments) The story that led the segment was of a couple that had solar installed not just once, but twice on their roof. Neither of the two systems produced enough power to deliver the savings on their utility bill that they had been promised. I wasn't too surprised but it still makes me angry. What NPR didn't cover was how the tools that solar installers use to estimate the production of rooftop solar systems are significantly to blame. Solar production estimates depend on many factors, including accurate 3D modeling of the roof geometry and everything that casts shadows on it during the day: trees, utility poles, the roof itself, other buildings, mountains. Aerial imagery has improved steadily, but most software tools that perform these estimates at the time of the sale still do a poor job for multiple reasons. The good news is that recent news stories like NPR's are waking up residential solar installers to the fact that their success depends on getting these estimates right and keeping their promises. I'm pleased that a few companies are now coming to us at SolarPlane for software APIs to help them execute on this challenging task of generating accurate solar site models. We just can't afford to f*ck this up!

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ECRS deployment is about to change - but what will that mean for battery energy storage systems in ERCOT? NPRR 1224 was approved by ERCOT's Board earlier this week. That means new triggers for ECRS deployment are coming - which should prevent excessive 'artificial scarcity' price spikes this summer. Check out this explainer vid from Modo's ERCOT Market Lead Brandt Vermillion. #BatteryEnergyStorage #ERCOT #AncillaryServices

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We are proud that our home state of Colorado, through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), is developing (and seeking feedback for) a Microgrid Roadmap 👍 Check this out and note feedback is due by August 1st! "Colorado has recently experienced an increasing number of climate-related extreme weather events, including wildfires, winter storms , and floods. State lawmakers recognize the potential impacts of these extreme weather events on the electric grid and passed legislation (HB22-1249) directing CEO and CRO to develop a Microgrid Roadmap providing guidance on how microgrids can:  -improve grid resilience and reliability for individual customers and communities; deliver and manage electricity; -provide necessary infrastructure in locations where extending distribution infrastructure is not practical ; and,  -operate independently and disconnected from the larger grid when necessary to meet the electricity needs of communities, neighborhoods, or buildings." #resiliency #microgrids #energystorage #solar https://lnkd.in/dCjHNatS

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The best Defense is a good Offense. But industries facing change typically delay for so long - they are severely disrupted - and lose new growth markets as well. Grid Science is focused on supporting future-forward utilities to successfully navigate the present. We recently participated program supported by the California Energy Commission to deliver such breakthrough innovation. We build AI native services that transform the value equation for distributed solar and battery companies, EV charging infrastructure projects, utility distribution operations - all while protecting against floods and preventing wildfires. Grid Science AI is the backbone of tomorrow's grid. Innovation finds a way. The City of Ann Arbor just launched a Sustainable Energy Utility within DTE's distribution grid to focus on "energy generation at the point of energy use" to improve Resilience, Reliability, and Clean Energy. Utilities that fight change will face similar efforts or even succession. PG&E has had 4 rate increases this year alone. Society and industry will not accept a double or triple rate base because a monopoly wanted to profit maximize capital expenditures. As Berkshire Hathaway Energy warned in last year's shareholders letter, investor owned utilities "might no longer attract the savings of American citizens and will be forced to adopt the public-power model." Our country faces a critical challenge to advance new grid enhancing technologies that will slow electricity bill increases, keep the power on, while resulting in a healthier utility. California has historically led the US in energy innovation and hopefully will maintain focus and leadership. New Energy Nexus California https://lnkd.in/ggfaz5yr

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It’s an honor to be invited to the Building an Advanced Energy Ecosystem New Mexico conference to run a workshop with our Climate Solutions Simulator, En-ROADS. It is so important for regional, state, and city decision-makers to be able to situate their efforts on the energy transition within the global context of climate change. Imagining diverse climate and energy futures is an important way to illuminate trade-offs and externalities and, ultimately, to put policy and technology dialogues into action!

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I recently had the privilege of joining energy leaders in Alaska as part of the ARENA program, where we explored some of the most innovative clean energy solutions in remote communities like Deering. The visit wasn’t just about technology, though—it was about resilience, community, and self-determination. As I shared in the article, “Meeting with the Deering Tribal Council... was a profound experience,” as we learned about their incredible efforts to protect their environment. Check out the full article below! #RemoteEnergy #ARENAProgram #CleanEnergy #SustainableFutures #AlaskaInnovation #IndigenousResilience #EnergyLeaders #CommunityPower #RenewableSolutions #ClimateAction #TribalEnergy #GreenEnergyTransformation #ResilientCommunities #RenewablesInAction

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Let’s face it—oil and gas might not scream “cutting-edge tech” to most people, but we’re flipping that script. Ryan Rice and I had the opportunity of being featured in GEO ExPro Magazine, where we got to share some of the game-changing (literally!) work we’re doing at ResNet AI Inc.! 🕹️ Using gamification, we’ve transformed routine inspections and data collection into something our teams genuinely look forward to. Imagine software that makes checking pipes and valves feel like leveling up in a game—who wouldn’t want that? We’re already seeing a major boost in data collection and a shift in engagement across the board. This isn’t just about points and badges. It’s about sparking real motivation and building pride in everyday tasks. 🙌 Huge thanks to GEO EXPRO magazine and Henk Kombrink for the feature and the spotlight on what’s possible when tech and people come together in powerful ways. 🚀 Ready to see how gamification is reshaping energy? Check out the full article! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gXk5aHwS #Gamification #Innovation #OilAndGasRevolution #DigitalTransformation #LevelUp

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Excellent project - well worth a look

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The Mosaic 2024 Benchmark Study: Optimizing Grid Technologies is now available! This essential report gathers insights from over 50 technical and operational leaders at 27 utilities across North America, including Arizona Public Service - APS, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, National Grid, and Xcel Energy. Explore key industry trends and best practices for optimizing grid technologies in today’s evolving energy landscape! ⬇️ Download the full 2024 Benchmark Study here: https://lnkd.in/gSaiyUDJ #Energy #Utility #GridTechnologies #GridModernization #ADMS #DigitalTransformation #BenchmarkStudy #Mosaic

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LISTEN NOW // Episode 6 of "Wyoming Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape" podcast has landed! Wyoming is the top coal-producing state in the U.S. In an interview with Trina Igelsrud Pfeiffer, director of SER's Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion, this episode focuses on how Wyoming is exploring non-thermal applications to utilize this vast resource. https://lnkd.in/g-TYD9CX

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Our grid and our grid security is in serious need of upgrades. We need to upgrade the security of our existing grid while also ensuring our new grid deployments are secure. The DOE recently announced $15 million in grants to establish six university-based centers to address a region’s unique cybersecurity and workforce training needs. The lead campuses for the other centers will be in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Texas. Recent funding will create a new cybersecurity center based at Iowa State called CyDERMS, the Center for Cybersecurity and Resiliency of DERs and Microgrids-integrated Distribution Systems. DERs are distributed energy resources such as wind and solar farms or energy storage technologies. Microgrids are local DER grid systems that can be connected to or isolated from the larger grid. Closing or isolating grid connections can help maintain service during cyberattacks or damaging storms. #gridsecurity #microgrid #vpp https://lnkd.in/eitAFWVY

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Weather patterns in The Sims 4 by Electronic Arts (EA) impact not only your Sims, but also the world around you and how your Sims respond to changes in the climate. Take a look at my updated guide on ScreenRant on all weather and season cheats, and how to use them: #gaming #gamingnews #thesims #sims4 #thesims4

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“Governor Gavin Newsom plans to slash funding for batteries and utility customers to help with grid emergencies — but money for fossil fuel generators keeps flowing. Now, as California and the U.S. West face forecasts of a hotter-than-average summer … two of the only state-funded programs that don’t rely on fossil fuels to combat those grid emergencies are under threat.” Why? We know that these programs “could enable $550 million per year in consumer savings in California…and that VPPs are the ​‘lowest cost way’ for utilities and regulators ​to handle load growth and lower rates for everyone.” Meanwhile, “Another $1.3 billion in funding has been promised to companies that own and operate aging fossil-gas-fired ​‘peaker’ power plants in Southern California that were slated to be closed in 2020 under environmental regulations. Those plants are a particularly egregious target for state funding, environmental advocates said, given that they burden surrounding communities with harmful air pollution, and have been unprofitable to operate absent state subsidies.” https://lnkd.in/gBi3u7sX

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When it comes to virtual power plants, many utilities are either stuck with programs specific to a single device type or working through multiple control platforms to coordinate and dispatch devices. A small utility in Colorado is building a VPP from scratch to avoid those constraints. Platte River Power Authority’s 2024 intergrated resource plan calls for 32 megawatts of VPP by 2030. But achieving that goal won’t be easy. The utility currently doesn’t have a DERMs or a data management system. And they’ll have to build many integrations with other critical systems for controlling, dispatching, and monitoring DERs in their service territory. I wrote about their strategy 👇 Latitude Media #VPP #utilities #energytransition https://lnkd.in/dzs5QWes

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we explore how the AI revolution impacts those in design engineering 

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