That's what former Secretary of Energy Steven Chu had to say about claims that distributed solar was making the grid unstable.
“That’s another bullshit argument,” said Chu, a Nobel Prize winning physicist who served as energy secretary from 2009 to April, 2013. Solar installations don’t threaten grid stability until they approach 20 percent of the customer base, Chu said.
Finally released from officialdom, Chu is no longer telling utilities what they want to hear, but what they need to hear. Feels, good, doesn't it, Dr. Chu?
Chu has some sage advice for utilities: To ward off the inevitable "death spiral," they need to get into the rooftop solar business.
Chu said his advice has been met by utilities one of three ways:
Chu has some sage advice for utilities: To ward off the inevitable "death spiral," they need to get into the rooftop solar business.
Chu said his advice has been met by utilities one of three ways:
“Tell us what to do.”
“Deer in the headlights.”
“We’re going to fight this.”
What was your utility's response?
Isn't it refreshing that former high ranking energy officials are loosening up and telling the truth now that they can? Former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff is also under fire for giving away energy industry "secrets" about the vulnerability of our centralized electric generation and transmission system.
This isn't just some random crackpot who overdosed on the Metamucil, but two guys who had their finger on the pulse of our electric system for years. It's rather telling that the industry and governmental officials are screaming foul when two of their own finally break rank and spill. The regulated and the regulator are way too cozy in this country. Denying the advice of those who know the system best, when they are finally free to give it, is a head in the sand approach to disaster.
Isn't it refreshing that former high ranking energy officials are loosening up and telling the truth now that they can? Former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff is also under fire for giving away energy industry "secrets" about the vulnerability of our centralized electric generation and transmission system.
This isn't just some random crackpot who overdosed on the Metamucil, but two guys who had their finger on the pulse of our electric system for years. It's rather telling that the industry and governmental officials are screaming foul when two of their own finally break rank and spill. The regulated and the regulator are way too cozy in this country. Denying the advice of those who know the system best, when they are finally free to give it, is a head in the sand approach to disaster.
RSS Feed