Battery stored power sparks backlash from utilities

[7962]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-07/battery-stored-solar-power-sparks-backlash-from-utilities.html

>>>>>California’s three biggest utilities are sparring with their own customers about systems that store energy from the sun, opening another front in the battle that’s redefining the mission of electricity generators.
Edison International (EIX), PG&E Corp. and Sempra Energy (SRE) said they’re putting up hurdles to some battery backups wired to solar panels because they can’t be certain the power flowing back to the grid from the units is actually clean energy.<<<<<


Imagine what these systems will be like in another decade? Its very exciting to me!

[ManiacJoe]

1. Sounds like the laws need to be updated to match the technology.

[Jesus Malverde]

2. There is a something else going on here.

Solar users do not pay taxes on their sun generated energy, at the same time every month the utilities are bringing in millions of dollars for the state in collected taxes. The state will be tempted at some point to require metering for tax purposes, similar to the concept of mileage taxes for electric cars.

[7962]

3. Never thought of that.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. So - using that formulae the utility company wishes,

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.
.

then if people start conserving water, and then putting cisterns in their basements to harvest and store rainwater, using less metered water -

they have to pay a penalty to the water companies for using for using less!

My old neighbours of over 8 years built their home about 15 years ago without hydro from the get-go, refused all sorts of incentives and grants from the government and utilities to "hook into the grid".

Our Ontario Hydro now charges what they call a "delivery" charge - for myself, it's around $45-50 / month - no matter if I use nothing.

My consumption charges? - 24 - 30 bucks a month.

If I was younger, I'd go totally solar, but at my age, I just MIGHT barely live long enough to break even on the investment it takes to put in a permanent reliable solar system.

Even if my consumption doubles, I'd be under 1500/year for hydro - 20 years break even - I'll be 83.

But I DO have my own well, no water utility is getting a dime off of me; and I collect and use as much rainwater as possible so I'm not using that hydro-sucking well-pump too much.

(psst - don't tell hydro) -

CC

[pipoman]

5. I have predicted the 21st century

will be the energy age. Energy will become less expensive and far more efficient.

[TransitJohn]

7. That water thing is a reality already in the drought-stricken West.

I lived for a 21 years in Laramie, Wyo. I know for a fact that the City of Laramie will impose a revenue recapture surcharge when they impose watering restrictions. So, be told to use less water under penalty of law, then pay more money for using less water. I suspect this is commonplace, as the Laramie City Council isn't smart enough to not have copied this from elsewhere.

[pipoman]

6. I have felt like the school girl

on the playground jumping rope, pumping in and out looking for the right time to jump into solar..until recently I haven't felt the cost/benefit was even close..now I feel if I wait a couple of years I will likely save more than I will spend on a system.