<div dir="ltr">Great news, everyone -- the assigned commissioner ruling (ACR) for battery based NEM eligibility has been released last night, and it looks very positive. The ACR would "give storage devices meeting the Guidebook requirements the same benefits available to renewable generating facilities under NEM tariffs" for two years, and systems would be exempt from standby charges, interconnection application and review fees or upgrade charges, similar to any other grid-tie PV system.<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;display:inline">
This sends a very clear message to the utilities that they need to stop obstructing RE and grid tie with battery backup using energy storage.</div><br><br>Ruling filed by CMMR/PEEVEY/CPUC on 10/17/2013 Conf# 68783 <a href="http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M078/K591/78591800.PDF">http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M078/K591/78591800.PDF</a><br>
<br>Per the ACR, "these exemptions would apply to any storage device connected behind the same billing meter as the NEM generating system because this configuration meets the conditions of the “directly connected energy storage” category as described in the Guidebook." In order to preserve NEM integrity (fancy words for making sure folks aren't gaming the system) the ruling does call out a requirement for net generation output metering (NGOM), but is open to discussion for an exception for those customers who are not on time-of-use rates.<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;display:inline">
If you are on TOU rates there is a dual AC meter solution which can capture the full output of the PV separate from any input to protected loads and backup charging. Washington State utilities use this approach for our FIT with battery based systems. </div>
<div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_default">If you or your customers have been impacted by the investor-owned utility's stall tactics, I would recommend that you contact the utility and advise them that you are aware of this ruling, and that in light of it you want your application reviewed and approved immediately.<br>
<br>This has been a great week for breaking through s<font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">tupid logjams. Power to the people!</font><br></div><br><br><br>Philip Undercuffler<br>Director, Product Management and Strategy <div>
OutBack Power Technologies<br>17825 59th Ave NE, Suite B, Arlington, WA 98223<br>360.618.4306 office | 425.319.2821 mobile </div><div><a href="http://www.outbackpower.com">www.outbackpower.com</a><br></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra">
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Oct 10, 2013 at 1:35 PM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Eric.Bentsen@schneider-electric.com" target="_blank">Eric.Bentsen@schneider-electric.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<br><font face="sans-serif">Hi All,</font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">Following this post with much interest,
as this affects everyone that wants to reduce reliance on a utility grid
</font>
<br><font face="sans-serif"> that is already overburdened,
If TOU metering was done away with, it would eliminate "buy low and
sell high", </font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">which is a "wash" when you
consider battery replacement cost (due to excessive cycling).</font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">GTBB is an excellent way for individuals
to "do their part" in conserving energy. The fact that utility
companies </font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">are putting up such a battle is indicative
of one thing.....money (is there any other motive?). Everyone concerned
</font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">should contact their lawmakers in Congress
to pass a federal law so these utility companies will stop obstructing
</font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">clean energy.</font>
<br><font face="sans-serif">Rgds,<br>
</font><font size="3" color="#008000">_____________________________________________________________________________________</font><font size="3">
<br>
</font><font size="1" face="Arial"><b><br>
Eric Bentsen</b> | </font><font size="1" color="#008000" face="Arial"><b>
Schneider Electric </b></font><font size="1" face="Arial"><b> | Solar
Business</b> | <b>UNITED STATES</b> | <b>Technical
Support Representative</b> <b><br>
Phone:</b> +(650) 351-8237 ext. 001# | <b><br>
Email:</b> </font><a href="mailto:eric.bentsen@schneider-electric.com" target="_blank"><font size="1" color="blue" face="Arial"><u>eric.bentsen@schneider-electric.com</u></font></a><font size="1" face="Arial">
| <b>Site:</b></font><a href="http://www.schneider-electric.com/solar" target="_blank"><font size="1" color="blue" face="Arial"><u>
www.schneider-electric.com/solar</u></font></a><font size="1" face="Arial">
| <b>Address:</b> 250 South Vasco Rd., Livermore, CA 94551
<br>
</font><font size="1" color="blue" face="Arial"><u><br>
</u></font><a href="http://www.schneider-electric.com/solar" target="_blank"><img></a><font size="1" color="#00a000" face="Arial"><br>
*** Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail</font><font size="1" face="Arial">
</font><font size="3"><br>
</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table width="100%">
<tbody><tr valign="top">
<td><font size="1" color="#5f5f5f" face="sans-serif">From:</font>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Dan Fink <<a href="mailto:danbob88@gmail.com" target="_blank">danbob88@gmail.com</a>></font>
</td></tr><tr valign="top">
<td><font size="1" color="#5f5f5f" face="sans-serif">To:</font>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>></font>
</td></tr><tr valign="top">
<td><font size="1" color="#5f5f5f" face="sans-serif">Date:</font>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">10/10/2013 11:22 AM</font>
</td></tr><tr valign="top">
<td><font size="1" color="#5f5f5f" face="sans-serif">Subject:</font>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Re: [RE-wrenches] GTBB resistance</font>
</td></tr><tr valign="top">
<td><font size="1" color="#5f5f5f" face="sans-serif">Sent by:</font>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif"><a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a></font></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br>
<hr noshade><div><div class="h5">
<br>
<br>
<br><font size="3">Ray;</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3">We always run a variety of made-up financial scenarios
in our "Intro to Off-Grid" classes.....we usually end up around
35 to 70 cents per kWh. </font>
<br>
<br><font size="3">Or another way to put it....a monthly 'battery bill' of
$25 to $120 depending on battery bank size, and how many years they pamper
it to last....or torture it to premature death.</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3">The GTBB backlash from the utilities is just more smoke
and mirrors.....I'll try to get something up on HuffPost before I leave
for Canada next week.....</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3">Dan Fink,<br>
Executive Director;<br>
Otherpower<br>
Buckville Energy Consulting<br>
Buckville Publications LLC<br>
NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers<br>
<a href="tel:970.672.4342" value="+19706724342" target="_blank">970.672.4342</a><br>
<br>
</font>
<br><font size="3"><br>
</font>
<br><font size="3">On Thu, Oct 10, 2013 at 11:43 AM, Ray Walters <</font><a href="mailto:ray@solarray.com" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>ray@solarray.com</u></font></a><font size="3">>
wrote:</font>
<br><font size="3">Just to add to Phil's comments: I've been calculating
total life cost of battery storage (KWH x cycle life x %DOD) and
the costs are 15 to 35 cents/ KWH to cycle a battery. Its even higher
for sealed batteries and Li+. It would have to be an amazing cost
difference in the TOU rates to beat the battery cost plus all the losses
of AC charging/ discharging a battery.<br>
I agree with Phil, as I've seen utilities obstruct solar since the 1980s.
Unfortunately their attitude has still not changed.<br>
Its pretty dumb too; battery storage could help improve the reliability
of the grid.<br>
You can't retire yet folks, we have another battle to fight.<br>
<br>
R.Ray Walters<br>
CTO, Solarray, Inc<br>
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,<br>
Licensed Master Electrician<br>
Solar Design Engineer</font><font size="3" color="blue"><u><br>
</u></font><a href="tel:303%20505-8760" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>303
505-8760</u></font></a>
<br><font size="3"><br>
<br>
On 10/10/2013 12:13 AM, Phil Undercuffler wrote:</font>
<br><font size="3"> However, arbitrage (buying low and selling high)
is one of the lousiest economic models for energy storage. Yes, perhaps
you can make a buck or two if the delta is big enough. However, that's
like driving forty miles in your 4x4 to use a dollar coupon instead of
shopping at the grocery store down the block. There are just better ways
to make a buck.<br>
<br>
At the end of the day, what should matter in NEM is what generated the
energy that is exported. The customer should be able to maintain their
battery by charging from grid, solar, or any combination. The batteries
are not a balloon -- energy used to charge them doesn't come rushing back
out. Batteries are like a bucket -- if the inverter can only sell what
flows over the top, then it takes solar input to begin flowing.<br>
<br>
Ultimately, it's going to take a chorus of voices to get the CPUC to tell
the utilities to shape up and stop obstructing these systems. If
people stay silent, the utilities get their way. It's your industry, it's
your business. It's your choice.<br>
<br>
Phil Undercuffler<br>
OutBack Power</font><font size="3" color="blue"><u><br>
</u></font><a href="tel:425-319-2821" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>425-319-2821</u></font></a><font size="3"><br>
</font>
<br>
<br><font size="3">_______________________________________________<br>
List sponsored by Home Power magazine<br>
<br>
List Address: </font><a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</u></font></a><font size="3"><br>
<br>
Change email address & settings:</font><font size="3" color="blue"><u><br>
</u></font><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</u></font></a><font size="3"><br>
<br>
List-Archive: </font><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</u></font></a><font size="3"><br>
<br>
List rules & etiquette:</font><font size="3" color="blue"><u><br>
</u></font><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</u></font></a><font size="3"><br>
<br>
Check out participant bios:</font><font size="3" color="blue"><u><br>
</u></font><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="blue"><u>www.members.re-wrenches.org</u></font></a><font size="3"><br>
</font>
<br>
<br></div></div><font size="3"><br>
______________________________________________________________________<br>
This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service.<br>
______________________________________________________________________</font><tt><font>_______________________________________________<div class="im"><br>
List sponsored by Home Power magazine<br>
<br>
List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
Change email address & settings:<br>
</div></font></tt><div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5"><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"><tt><font>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</font></tt></a><tt><font><br>
<br>
List-Archive: </font></tt><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"><tt><font>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</font></tt></a><tt><font><br>
<br>
List rules & etiquette:<br>
</font></tt><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" target="_blank"><tt><font>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</font></tt></a><tt><font><br>
<br>
Check out participant bios:<br>
</font></tt><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank"><tt><font>www.members.re-wrenches.org</font></tt></a><tt><font><br>
<br>
</font></tt>
<br>
<br></div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>
List sponsored by Home Power magazine<br>
<br>
List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
Change email address & settings:<br>
<a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
List-Archive: <a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
List rules & etiquette:<br>
<a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" target="_blank">www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</a><br>
<br>
Check out participant bios:<br>
<a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org" target="_blank">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
<br></blockquote></div><br></div>