Spencer Gore’s Post

Where will you be on April 8, 2024? Hopefully not stuck in traffic! 🚗 This April, a rare total solar eclipse will captivate tens of millions in the "Path of Totality," including metros like Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Rochester, NY – and millions of others who will travel by car for this unique experience. State DOTs, MPOs, and local agencies are deep into planning, as highlighted in a session at the Association Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) conference last year highlighting preparations by Ohio Department of Transportation and Genesee Transportation Council. That's where I first learned about the challenge ahead in managing the increased traffic as folks head home from the event. A recent article in the January 2024 ITE Journal - "Planning for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse" by Jonathan Upchurch Ph.D., P.E. - brought this back to my awareness. Only a few more months to plan! #transportationplanning #trafficmanagement #trafficengineering

People ask me what my favorite installation is, and that is a hard question. My clients are amazing for all sorts of reasons, but my goodness, it is special being connected to the Lumbee community. The history, perspective and just specialness of the community really gets to me. I learned a few more things in this interview with James Harden, former ED of Lumbee Regional Development Association. #energyjustice #environmentaljustice #climatechange #solarenergy https://lnkd.in/dg-mykgA

Alert 📢: my World Resources Institute colleagues have an awesome webinar this week on EQUITABLE SCALING OF EV INFRASTRUCTURE. Check it out!

Welcome, #AEGBoston 23Q3 Grid Modernization Task Force! Here are the volunteers who will work together for 12 months to solve derived obstacle from yesterday's AEG Boston 23Q3 Stakeholder Challenge on Grid Modernization. Read the obstacle, solution, and list of Task Force Volunteers below. 90 DAY GOAL: Improve understanding of Electric Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs) by providing maps visibility into investments and EJ communities; bring front and center equity metrics that already exist into Grid Modernization Advisory Council (GMAC) decision-making. 12-MONTH GOAL: File the ESMPs with robust stakeholder feedback. AEG Boston 23Q3 Grid Modernization Task Force Volunteers: - Kathryn (Kat) Cox-Arslan, New Leaf Energy, Inc. (Lead) - Jonathan Stout, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Co-Lead) - Jonathan Buonocore, Boston University (Data) - Natalie Hildt Treat, NECEC - Rebecca Miller, Northeastern University/City of Boston - Ann Davlin, Constellation - Sabin Rossi, Constellation - Tenzin C., Greentown Labs - Johannes Hubert Epke, Conservation Law Foundation - Sari Kayyali, GreenRoots, Inc. - J. Miles Gresham, Esq., Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts - Mary Wambui-Ekop, Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) - Ari Stern, DNV - Sarah Sweeney, Advanced Energy Group Here's the Derived Obstacle this Task Force is solving for: "Regarding Grid Modernization, to achieve Boston's climate, health & equity goals, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12 months is: Building trust & understanding with customers & communities with health-based decision making to enable meaningful collaboration to deliver an electrification-based energy transition, equitably & affordably. - Melissa Lavinson, National Grid & Jonathan Buonocore, Boston University School of Public Health Stay tuned for more updates on their exciting work. Please contact [email protected] if you're interested in getting involved! #cleanenergyfuture #climate #health #equity #resilience #energy #gridmodernization #boston cc: H.G. Chissell

Community microgrids can significantly impact urban areas by enhancing energy resilience, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable development. They enable communities to generate, store, and manage their own energy, leading to improved energy security and potential cost savings. Additionally, microgrids can support the integration of renewable energy sources, contributing to cleaner urban environments.

This week, two PUC staffers, Regina Carter (L) and Jaime McClintock (R) attended an Equity Roundtable in Arlington, VA, where they are taking a leadership role among state utility commissions in how we develop and implement energy equity strategies. The Roundtable is hosted by NASEO - National Association of State Energy Officials/NARUC/National Association of State Consumer Utility Advocates, and is delving into Equity Considerations in Electric Planning, Programs and Policy. Objectives are to spotlight innovative equity work done by states, explore equity aspects of beneficial electrification and related policies and program, and identify relevant state and regional programmatic, regulatory, and policy challenges and opportunities related to equity.

As #climatechange challenges the stability of #infrastructure such as the power grid, there's a need to figure out alternatives during #disasters. We won a grant through the National Science Foundation (#NSF Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Science) to understand how #EVs with bi-directional chargers can power homes and businesses during crises. Multi-disciplinary team of investigators on this effort with my role on analyzing consumer acceptability especially among marginalized communities including households with older adults, individuals with low income, and in locations outside cities. https://lnkd.in/gAd48Htu

A really good detailed article about the use of thermostats and flexibility. Unsurprisingly, I again have to point out that the “VPP” mindset the “power plant” thinking drives a / to me unacceptable / focus on Demand Response! That’s trapped old power “supply side” thinking with “negawatts” being dispatched. What we really need is Demand Management … drive A/C harder in the peak of the day when solar is abundant and then it’s easier - a lot easier - to back the thermostat off later … with less impact on the occupants. If we want to - and we need to - have Demand Side Management - we really need to focus on the use of ICT - and Digitisation of Energy to temporally shift loads - all flexible loads. I was very fortunate yesterday to moderate the Pearcey Foundation Australia 4.0 #5 session on “Consumer Grid” with Australian Energy Luminaries and Thought Leaders Lynne Gallagher, Lachlan Blackhall and Simon English on this and other topics. When you consider that these connected thermostats monitor the temperature ALL the time, that we can easily disaggregate our loads (in this case HVAC) we can actually do so much more than try and be “responsive” in a crisis! This is what Pearcey’s Australia 4.0 is all about … take ICT, Digitisation and Customer Product and Service Products from outside the moribund energy business and actually help consumers rather than the businesses/utilities. Wayne Fitzsimmons Anna Collyer Sally McMahon Charles Popple Tim Jordan Clare Savage Lisa Shrimpton John Mackay Jashan Singh Mitchell Grande Ed Chan Peter Kilby Rob Amphlett Lewis John Cleland Scott Ryan Angela Macdonald-Smith Ben Potter Dan Bolger

It seems that Fall is better for Smart Panels since we are seeing up to 50% more power generated. In the summer months, the highest energy production advantage was 28%. It is most likely due to the fact that they are facing west bound and sun rises from the East. Additionally, the Sun’s elevation angle during the Winter is less inclined than the Summer. Therefore, casting longer shadows lower yields for traditional panels. This is my observation for our Pilot project during Fall months.