Markets Grow More Receptive To Mainstreamed Renewables

摘要

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is touting a new regulation that lets innovative energy technologies compete in regional wholesale power markets. But renewable power producers and industry observers say other recent agency decisions restrict the competitiveness of clean energy in the U.S. grid at a time when global demand is growing for alternatives to fossil fuel. The Solar Energy Industries Association on Sept. 18 asked the U.S. appellate court in San Francisco to review a July FERC order the group claims discourages development of small-power generators-known as qualified facilities or QFs-which generate no more than 80 MW. U.S. law requires FERC to encourage small generators, but the agency order eliminated their right to enter long-term fixed-rate contracts that are "essential" for QF financing, said agency Commissioner Richard Glick in the lone dissent to the July order.