Autumn Proudlove

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) will provide expert advise on the review of the draft Clean Energy Plan in accordance to Executive 80 which was issued by Governor Cooper on October 29, 2018. NCCETC will review, edit and provide written input on sections of the Clean Energy Plan as developed and submitted by State Energy Office (SEO) staff. The sections of the Clean Energy Plan include but are not limited to: 1) NC’s Energy Resources; 2) NC’s Energy Sector Profile; 5) Energy and Emissions Modeling; 6) Energy Sector Jobs and Economic Outlook and; 7) Recommendations. This work will also involve a representative of NCCETC meeting with SEO as diemed necessary by both parties for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the review, edit and written input provided to the SEO from NCCETC on the Clean Energy Plan development.

As Distributed Generation (DG) has become more common, state regulators have grappled with how to properly value the resource in relation to its impacts on the grid. Numerous state agencies have studied the issue of valuing DG to varying degrees in an attempt to determine fair, long-term solutions. To determine best practices for the southeast, we will undertake an analysis of Distributed Generation (DG) valuation studies conducted by state utility commissions and other agencies. This project will compare the overall DG values themselves, the value of various DG components where available, and methodologies used to determine DG value components. When possible this project will also incorporate cost-of-service studies from across the country.

In collaboration with the ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability U.S.A. (ICLEI) and the Solar America Communities Technical Outreach to Local Governments' Technical Assistance Team Partners (the Solar Electric Power Association, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), The Solar Foundation, and Meister Consultants Group), the North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) at North Carolina State University will plan, produce, deliver, and measure a program of technical assistance to city and county governments and other locally based government jurisdictions to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies. U.S. DOE?s Solar America Communities program aims to transform America?s energy markets by accelerating expansion of solar energy production and consumption in localities across the U.S. The program focuses upon strengthening the role of local governments as change agents in this market transformation. Specific ICLEI objectives in undertaking this work include the following: 1. To research and compile best practices information relevant to enabling cities to increase their own municipal production and consumption of solar energy as well as residential and commercial sector production and consumption of solar energy; 2. To develop tools under the Solar America Communities (SAC) brand including educational modules that allow this information to be presented to local government policy makers, administrators, planners and program managers in a readily comprehensible manner; 3. To plan and deliver first person instructional workshops on best practices for expanding solar energy production and consumption at conferences and workshops attended by local government officials 4. To ensure that planning, production, and delivery of all services and materials utilized in meeting these objectives is undertaken in a manner that best promotes visibility, credibility, reliability, and acceptance of DOE?s Solar America Communities brand or another brand that is adopted in place of SAC; 5. To measure and report on the outputs and outcomes of this initiative and the degree to which this initiative contributes to expanded market penetration of solar energy technologies among local government jurisdictions. This project supports the goals of the Department of Energy?s Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) through addressing barriers to widespread solar adoption in America?s communities. Through the Solar America Communities effort, DOE is working to rapidly increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the country. The focus of tasks to be performed by the Partners during Phase I of this project includes development of informative content needed to produce best practice modules and other instructional and informative materials, development of a protocol for soliciting and approving requests for technical assistance from localities, and delivering this information both at national and regional workshops and through first person on site technical advisory visits to qualifying individual localities. Phase II of the project will commence at the close of the first phase and focus upon continued delivery of technical assistance to local government jurisdictions at the national and regional level and in first person localized technical assistance engagements.