Posts

Long Duration Storage Using Gravity

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In the future, will we pump water up a hill or have heavy blocks being raised and lowered to store large amounts of energy?  Doesn’t sound very futuristic but as renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prevalent, the need for large-scale, long-duration energy storage is rapidly increasing. Let’s look at some basic physics.

DER: Local Investments, Unregulated Returns

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For many small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), energy costs are a significant expense that continually reduces profits and introduces financial uncertainties. Recently we explored how utilities make a profit.  SMEs can adopt a similar financial strategy of utilities by turning energy consumption into an asset investment that generates returns.

Transmission & Distribution Costs

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The underlying costs of transmitting and distributing (T&D) electricity from distant sources are massive. The vast, centralized power grid, a remarkable feat of engineering, imposes a tax on businesses through substantial energy losses and infrastructure expenses. This article aims to analytically dissect these costs to illustrate why localized energy solutions o ffer a compelling pathway for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Economic Factors The journey electricity takes from a distant power plant to your business is laden with significant financial costs. These are ultimately recovered through your electricity rates. 1. Capital Expenditures Building and expanding the massive transmission and distribution network requires immense capital investment. These investments directly impact your electricity charges. Transmission Line Costs: The cost of transmission lines is influenced by numerous engineering and logistical factors [1, 2, 3]: Distance and Terrain: Longer distanc...

Montana Solar Shares Act

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The Montana Solar Shares Act  will empower communities to build shared solar projects, allowing subscribers to receive electricity credits and offset their energy use.

Public Utilities: Big Investments, Regulated Returns

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Energy is a fundamental currency. It underlies the cost to extract materials, manufacture products and provide services. Understanding how public utility companies earn their profits and how those profits are regulated provides us important insight into the relationship between utilities and DER.

Last Best PACE

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The Last Best PACE program offers businesses in Montana low-cost, 100% upfront financing for clean energy projects over $100,000. It's a fantastic way to improve your bottom line while investing in resilient and sustainable power.