ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading energy consulting firms, has released a new article focused on utility-scale solar integration. This report has been featured by Utility Dive in the articles, “Bright outlook: solar trifecta is key to integrating smart utility-scale solar” and “Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging.” This complimentary report explores the potential for solar to provide more than just energy.
Smart utility-scale solar could become a reality with the convergence of three important market requirements, which we call the “solar trifecta”: value from good grid citizenship, energy when you need it, and cost-competitive resource. The solar trifecta provides a clear pathway for smart utility-scale solar to offer tremendous benefits to consumers, the environment, and grid management. However, several market developments and regulatory decisions could either hamper or accelerate advancement of the solar trifecta and ultimately the deployment of controllable and smart utility-scale solar. Are we there yet? What are the key milestones that will mark the dawn of smart utility-scale solar and a new era for the electric grid?
“As it has been deployed to date, high penetration of solar has raised concern over grid impacts. However, this does not have to be the case with an emerging “smart” solar plant that is a better citizen on the grid,” said Chris Vlahoplus, partner and clean tech & sustainability practice leader at ScottMadden. “We believe that ‘smart’ solar is a game changer for the solar industry and adds the controllability and dispatchability that utilities have been struggling with,” added John Pang, partner at ScottMadden.
Recent Utility Dive articles examine integrating smart utility-scale solar and emerging next generation utility-led community solar in more detail. For more information about the path to smart utility-scale solar, please contact us.
About ScottMadden’s Clean Tech & Sustainability Practice
Leveraging our energy expertise, the ScottMadden Clean Tech & Sustainability practice helps our clients effectively navigate through the quickly changing energy landscape. We specialize in assisting our clients with sustainable energy strategies and making smart portfolio choices. We work with our clients to understand and effectively utilize cleaner, renewable sources of energy, such as wind, solar, bioenergy, and nuclear. Our experienced team of energy practitioners understands the roles of energy efficiency, demand response, and storage as part of an integrated strategy. We also assist clients with sustainability, bringing an understanding of energy-unique concerns.
About ScottMadden, Inc.
ScottMadden is the management consulting firm that does what it takes to get it done right. Our practice areas include Energy, Clean Tech & Sustainability, Corporate & Shared Services, Grid Transformation, and Rates, Regulation, & Planning. We deliver a broad array of consulting services ranging from strategic planning through implementation across many industries, business units, and functions. To learn more, visit www.scottmadden.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
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Media contact:
Mary Tew
919-781-4191