One story flying under the radar centers on the electric grid and how to deal with renewable energy projects. Recently regional grid manager PJM has received conditional approval from the feds as it sorts through a backlog of applications for new projects. The OK came from FERC, short for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
As solar became cost competitive with other forms of generation and states like Delaware passed alternative energy mandates, PJM has been inundated by applications. The result was a lengthy backlog and worries that some projects might be delayed until the end of the decade.
It marks a big change from the days when all grid operators had to worry about was connecting massive fossil fuel and nuclear plants to the grid.
More recently, applications for mainly solar power proposals have been piling up. In response, PJM, whose members include Delmarva Power,…