The Department of Commerce hosted the Solar Plus All Hands Meeting, composed of a group funded by the SEEDS2-SES grant through the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. It aims to build capacity around solar deployments in Washington and Oregon. A broad stakeholder group attended, including environmental justice advocates, utilities, solar installers, community-based organizations and other state agencies. The event included presentations, such as work by the Oregon…
The Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) grant awards will tentatively be announced by May 31. The Grid Modernization Program is awarding grants to four projects. Pending final contract negotiations, the awardees are: Avista Utilities—Eco-district Grid Modernization Project Orcas Power and Light—Lopez Village Adaptive Micro-grid with Hybrid Storage Project Puget Sound Energy— The Smart Capacity Analysis, Learning and Engagement Project Tacoma Power—Liquid Air Energy Storage Project Grants range from $1 –…
One Energy Development, Peninsula Light Company and TUUSSO Energy win latest round of state Clean Energy Fund grants targeting expansion of solar energy around the state OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) today announced over $1.6 million in grants from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to three projects that will advance the development of solar energy in Washington. “Since 2013, state Clean Energy Fund investments have…
It’s always nice to get recognition for our work, especially when it shares our ideas with a broader audience. The Energy Division Low-Income Weatherization Program’s Weatherization Plus Health efforts got a nice dose of coverage this month in a cover article in the March 2019 Healthy Indoors Magazine. The article profiled the innovative partnership between our Pierce County Human Services local weatherization program and the Clean Air for Kids Asthma…
Four utility projects will advance Washington state’s leading efforts in clean and renewable energy technology innovation for building a more efficient, resilient and economical power grid. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has selected four proposed electric grid modernization projects to receive grants from the Washington Clean Energy Fund. Pending final contracts, Avista, Orcas Power and Light, Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Power are eligible for a total of…
On April 3, Commerce hosted more than 60 attendees, both in person and by webinar and call-in, at an information session for people interested in helping to shape the important upcoming Electrification of Transportation Systems (ETS) Grants Program, supported by the Clean Energy Fund. The ETS program will provide grants to Washington local governments and retail electric utilities for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The program aims to support eligible applicants…
The National Governor’s Association (NGA), along with the Embassy of Canada, Denmark and Australia, hosted a two day summit in Washington D.C., highlighting three emerging technologies: offshore wind, energy storage and carbon capture utilization and storage. The summit examined how innovative activities and policies from each country foster deployment and development for these technologies. Attendees included the Governor of Connecticut, the newly appointed Ambassador of Denmark as well as high…
The Farm’s Ribbon Cutting and Tour is scheduled to be held on April 16. Vashon Bioenergy Farm is a community-scale bioenergy system on Vashon Island. The project, through Impact Bioenergy, was funded under the Clean Energy Fund II for RD&D, Sustainable Energy Trust, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and great partners on Vashon. For every ton of “waste” that would otherwise have been long-haul exported, the NAUTILUS…
The 2019 National Home Performance Coalition (HPC) Conference and Trade Show was held in Chicago this past week. The conference was an exciting and informational experience for attendees, focusing on weatherization and networking opportunities. Washington state was represented by Department of Commerce employees Donn Falconer, Britt Pomush, Laura Viik and Vince Schueler from the Washington State University Energy Program. Washington’s Weatherization Network had representatives from the Community Action Council of…
The 2019 Biennial Energy Report has been published and is ready for reading. This years report provides analysis in: Deep decarbonization and electrification Energy efficiency and renewable energy Updated fuel mix disclosure mechanism Equity considerations in the clean energy transition Energy resilience Investment Regional energy issues