Opportunity Title:
Behind-the-Meter Zero-Emission Backup Technologies
Description:
The California Energy Commission is gathering information for a potential future solicitation focused on research needed to develop emerging solutions to enable plug-and-play, zero-emission resiliency at reduced costs through standardized design. Stakeholders are not required to respond to every question of this RFI. In fact, stakeholders are encouraged to respond specifically to the questions they feel most suit their knowledge and background.
Behind-the-meter zero-emission renewable backup power is feasible, but effective and safe integration requires additional costly equipment such as battery storage, battery inverters, and transfer switches. Resilient systems require expensive customization in comparison to lower-cost, drop-in backup power generators that use diesel or gasoline as their fuel source. These fossil fuel-powered generators, emitting large amounts of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, are deployed during outages from extreme heat, nearby wildfire, and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events that are exacerbated by climate change. Breaking this unsustainable feedback loop requires transitioning to zero-emission backup power, which has affordability challenges that can be especially difficult for low-income and under-resourced communities.
Comments Deadline:
Written comments must be submitted to the Docket Unit by 5 PM PT October 30, 2022