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Innovation at
Silicon Valley Clean Energy
The climate crisis is a top concern for many Silicon Valley residents, and the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change brings to light just how much work needs to be done.
To address the climate crisis, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is working closely with our member communities and business partners on innovative solutions for carbon reduction and a clean energy future. In this month’s newsletter, we feature new developments in grid energy storage, electric vehicle charging, and residential electrification. Read on to learn more about the difference SVCE communities are making!
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SVCE Approves Two Long-Duration Energy Storage Contracts
Largest lithium-ion 8-hour storage in US
Read more
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Partnering with a Local Software Provider to Increase EV Charger Accessibility
$100,000 in funding provided by SVCE
Read more
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Using Telematics to Get a Cleaner Charge for Your EV
Reducing the emissions associated with EV charging
Read more
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NeoCharge Pilot Seeking Participants
Install a smart splitter to avoid a panel upgrade
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Other SVCE News
Electricity rate changes and April Earth Month events
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SVCE Approves Two Long-Duration Energy Storage Contracts
Through California Community Power, a Joint Powers Agency comprised of 10 California Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), SVCE has approved two long-duration energy storage (LDS) contracts. Both approved projects utilize lithium-ion technology and are the largest of their kind in the nation.
LDS is an energy storage technology that can store and discharge energy for long periods of time. LDS is a valuable technology because it can go beyond 4 hours (current commercial battery standard), does not have to be paired with a renewable resource, and can be charged from the grid when there is abundant renewable energy available. LDS will support grid reliability and resiliency as California transitions to a cleaner grid.
The first project, Tumbleweed, will provide SVCE with 14.66 megawatts (MW) of battery capacity and 117.28 megawatt-hours (MWh) of discharge duration. The second project, Goal Line, will provide SVCE 14.2 MW of capacity and 113.6 MWh of discharge. These contracts are a result of the joint request for offers that a group of CCAs issued in fall 2020.
These projects will help SVCE meet its obligation for the long-duration energy storage requirement mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission.
Learn more about SVCE power sources at svcleanenergy.org/power-sources
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Addressing the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) charging access requires a combination of financial and technical resources. SVCE is providing $100,000 in funding to EVmatch, a local EV charging software company, to support increased EV charging access to the public and people living in multi-unit residential housing. These funds will support the installation of 60 publicly available EV charging stations at eligible multi-unit residential properties within Santa Clara County.
The funding from SVCE matches grant funding awarded to EVmatch through the BESTFIT Innovative Charging Solutions Grant, provided through the California Energy Commission (CEC) Clean Transportation Program.
EVmatch previously ran a pilot project through the SVCE Innovation Onramp program to test how reservation-based software could enable tenant and public sharing of on-site Level 2 (240V) EV charging stations. Through the pilot, eight charging stations were installed and the pilot results showed a high percentage of the on-site charging was done by the public, demonstrating the value of enabling shared public-private Level 2 charging station access.
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Using Telematics to Get a Cleaner Charge for Your EV
With more than 19 million EVs anticipated to be on the road in the U.S. by 2030, the electrical grid will need to be outfitted to handle an upsurge in demand. We also must acknowledge the varying levels of carbon emissions associated with the time of day when electricity is generated. To address both the grid demand and utilize available renewable energy, SVCE piloted and then launched the GridShift: EV Charging app in summer 2021 with program partner ev.energy.
The GridShift smart charging app automates at-home EV charging based on 1) electricity rate and 2) real-time carbon intensity of the grid. To further support low-carbon EV charging, SVCE tested promoting Low-Carbon Events, defined as multi-hour, off-peak periods when the average grid carbon intensity was forecasted to be 50% lower than the rolling 30-day average.
This approach was tested during the program pilot phase with 17 Low-Carbon Events. During the events, GridShift participants were alerted via push notifications on their mobile phones and were targeted according to each customer’s Time-of-Use rate to ensure that customers were encouraged to charge only during the off-peak hours of their rate plan.
Overall, 70% of GridShift participants plugged in before at least one low-carbon event, and 30% plugged in before eight or more low-carbon events. The impact of SVCE's low-carbon event trial was approximately 4,000 lbs. of CO2 avoided.
View the pilot report for more information on the GridShift smart charging pilot program results.
Low-carbon events were reintroduced in December 2021 and will continue through May 2022. Visit the GridShift website for app details and to find out if you have a compatible EV or smart charger.
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Interested in charging your EV or installing an electric appliance at home? NeoCharge is offering a pilot through the SVCE Innovation Onramp program to advance home electrification. The NeoCharge Smart Splitter is a low-cost technology helping people access EV charging and add large electric appliances without requiring expensive electrical panel upgrades, a solution that is particularly relevant to renters or owners of older homes.
With the Smart Splitter, users can share a single, existing 240V outlet in their home to power two large electric loads, such as EV chargers, water heaters, and dryers. The Smart Splitter is UL listed and has intelligent sensing that automatically switches between two devices, so customers don’t need to worry about power switching. NeoCharge is seeking SVCE customers to purchase and provide feedback on the Smart Splitter. Eligible participants will receive a $125 discount on the device.
NeoCharge has already received positive feedback from participating SVCE customers on their home electrification project and how the smart splitter helped them save thousands on a panel upgrade. If you are interested in participating in the pilot, please sign up below and NeoCharge will get in touch with you!
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April is not only Earth Month, but it is also the 5 year anniversary of SVCE flipping the switch to clean power for your community! We will be at community events all April long, stop by, say hi, and grab some SVCE swag.
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