Renewable Energy Integration Highlights from 2022
Twelve years ago, the Integrated Renewable Energy Systems Network (IRESN) idea was to direct thoughtful, technically well-grounded attention to renewable integration, especially integration of local energy transitions. Then large solar and wind power plant investment and integration accelerated. Local energy integration and collaboration is also now gaining traction, thanks to accelerating community solar and microgrid investments in many states.
Here are the highlights of 2022 IRESN analysis and comment:
Rooftop Solar. Last week, the California PUC set the stage for massive future “grid defection.” New rooftop solar array owners will now “sell” solar electricity to a giant for-profit electric utility for twenty five percent of the price the utility charges their neighbors for it. Or will solar array owners store solar electricity in their own batteries, back it up with electric vehicle batteries and “cut the wire”? To read more, click here.
Community Choice. California’s publicly owned Community Choice energy industry is accelerating state-wide decarbonization by buying and reselling electricity from large new renewable power projects. Community Choice revenues that might otherwise be spent locally to improve local energy security and organize community solar projects are effectively confiscated by the state of California and handed over to, you guessed it, giant for-profit utilities. Does California Community Choice enabling legislation need a public vs. private fairness update? To read more, click here and here.
Circular Renewable Energy Economies. What does it mean to “integrate a circular economy approach into the renewable energy transition”? For one thing, all solar, wind, and battery components and materials will need to be recycled, remanufactured, reused or repurposed. Will the current leading consumers of renewable energy (China, the US, and California) also become leading circular renewable economy collaborators? Or will Germany, the EU and Japan lead the way? To read more, click here.
Thanks for reading through, and best wishes for 2023!
Gerry Braun,
IRESN was launched in 2013 as a continuation of the work of the the California Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (Cal-IRES) collaborative, which was created in 2010 as part of the California Renewable Energy Center. IRESN merged with and assumed responsibility for work of the California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources (CADER) in 2016. IRESN’s board of advisors includes former CADER board members. Gerry Braun, a Davis resident, serves as IRESN’s Chair. His knowledge of energy markets, electricity systems and clean energy supply technologies is rooted in his work over the years with leading firms and agencies such as Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Bechtel, Southern California Edison Company, BP Solar, Standard Solar, the US Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission.
FACEBOOK FEED
Share your vision for climate as part of the 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation (CAAP) planning process. Drop in before or during 2nd Friday ArtAbout between 4pm and 7pm Friday December 8 at Davis Odd Fellows 415 Second St Davis. Together we can create a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable home for everyone in Yolo County!
Sign up for updates and reminders: tinyurl.com/bw53bdmv
Questions? Contact sustainability@yolocounty.org
More info? visit: YoloCAAP.org
Yolo County Climate Action and Sustainability Davis City Valley Clean Energy Davis Downtown
#ClimateAction #livesustainably #YoloSustainability #yolocaap
... See MoreSee Less

yolocaap.org
Driven by public input, the CAAP will include recommendations for how we can lower emissions, protect our natural resources, use more renewable energy, support the sustainable agricultural practices t...
Move your money to a credit union or ethical bank! Credit unions usually donate to projects that strengthen local communities, and ethical banks make a commitment to support good causes. Green America Bank For Good BankTrack and Mighty Deposits are all great resources to find ethical banks!
LEARN MORE with Cathy Becker of Green America, Wednesday, November 15 at 6pm PST online. Our moderator will be Rekha Vaitla, Cool Davis board member and officer at CalSTRS.
Sign up here: www.cooldavis.org/2023/11/02/green-finances-banking-and-credit-cards-panel-yolo-earth-day-pledge/
Davis City Valley Clean Energy Tree Davis
... See MoreSee Less