Modern grid operators have a more complex task than their counterparts did a generation ago. There was very little intermittent energy twenty or thirty years ago and little need for sophisticated instrumentation. Now the infrastructure is aging and operators need to deal with intermittent energy sources like solar and wind, energy storage, plug-in electric vehicles, interconnects and increasing demand. They need better information, so they can react to changes fast. National Grid UK selected National Instrument’s CompactRIO platform to increase their capability of seeing harmonic problems on the grid by 400%.
Solar Incentives are very important in Washington (state). With power less than $0.10/kWh throughout the state, some customers wouldn’t put solar panels on their roofs if it weren’t for the incentive. The state paid out approximately $19.6 million for incentives in 2013. A Solar Washington studyfound that for every $1 Washington paid out in solar incentives, $2.46 was injected back into the economy.
Kimberly’s city council has a history of embracing innovation. They rebranded Kimberly “the Bavarian city of the Rockies” once it became apparent the Sullivan mine was going to run out. Further ventures into tourism led to the acquisition of the local ski hill and construction of what is now one of Canada’s 10 top golf courses. Both of these projects have since been sold. The city was ready for something new when Michel de Spot, CEO of Vancouver’s Ecosmart Foundation, approached them in 2008. He said the former Sullivan mine is the perfect site for a utility scale solar project.
Canada is one of the top Nations for Renewable Investments. It ranked #5 in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) last September. The total for investments jumped 26% in 2014, over the previous year, to $9 billion.
On January 15, there was a wind turbine fire at Ocotillo, CA. The incident might have been less significant anywhere else, but this wind project has been having problems ever since it went online.
Solar Incentives are very important in Washington (state). With power less than $0.10/kWh throughout the state, some customers wouldn’t put solar panels on their roofs if it weren’t for the incentive. The state paid out approximately $19.6 million for incentives in 2013. A Solar Washington 
