Peak load, also known as peak demand, refers to the maximum demand for energy during a given time period, typically a day (EIA, 2015). The figure below shows a fairly typical 24-hour load curve for summer and winter months at one location. The demand for energy in the summer rises throughout the day and peaks in the late afternoon. The pattern is similar, but not as pronounced in the winter due to differences between heating and cooling needs. Continue reading
NREL Conduit Blog
The NREL Conduit Blog discusses research relevant to state, local, and tribal governments. Contributing authors provide posts related to events, policy analysis, and decision support outcomes to inform the market in a credible and timely fashion.
Meet a Solar Expert Part Two: Carolyn Davidson
August 21, 2015
This STAT Chat podcast features Carolyn Davidson, an economic analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), discussing data-driven market analysis and modeling as part of our Meet a Solar Expert series meant to give listeners a behind the scenes look at the working world of industry professionals. Continue reading
Solar Energy Improving Resiliency: A Look at California During a Historical Drought
August 19, 2015
In February, the Solar STAT blog featured a post on 2012’s Hurricane Sandy and how solar PV can support disaster resiliency . Extreme weather events are not limited to hurricanes, of course. Others, like California’s ongoing drought, pose additional challenges for electricity generators but also demonstrate an emerging role for solar energy. Continue reading
The RAPID Toolkit: Facilitating Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Development
August 10, 2015
The Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop (RAPID) Toolkit provides information about federal, state, and local permitting and regulations for utility-scale renewable energy and transmission projects—including large-scale solar projects in certain areas. In particular, the RAPID Toolkit now includes federal permitting information applicable in any state and state-level permitting requirements in California and Nevada for large-scale solar projects. Continue reading
Hot Topics: Cities, Energy Use, and Local Energy Decision Making
August 08, 2015
This STAT Chat podcast features Alexandra Anzar, a member of the solar technical assistance team at NREL, discussing how cities are making energy decisions and the extent that cities are using data to make these decisions. Continue reading
Meet a Solar Expert Part One: Carolyn Davidson
August 08, 2015
This STAT Chat podcast features Carolyn Davidson, an economic analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), discussing data-driven market analysis and modeling as part of our Meet a Solar Expert series meant to give listeners a behind the scenes look at the working world of industry professionals. Continue reading