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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab @berkeleylab.lbl.gov · 24/09/2026

Join us in celebrating Hakyung Lee, Adway Gupta, Paula-Marie Ivey, and Mythili Surendran—this year’s winners of the 2026 Berkeley Lab Research SLAM! Congratulations to all 12 finalists who took the stage! @biosci.lbl.gov @als.lbl.gov @molecularfoundry.lbl.gov slam.lbl.gov

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Will Gorman @wfgorman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Some takeaways? The concept of energy-only interconnection is economically sound—the challenge is the implementation. Different study assumptions can lead to wide variation in identified network upgrades but also procurement rules and resource adequacy design complicate reform

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Will Gorman @wfgorman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

ERCOT's "connect and manage" model gets the buzz in grid reform debates, but U.S. regions already offer a non-firm option: Energy Resource Interconnection Service. So why are IX queues still bottlenecked? Our new paper in Energy Policy investigates 🧵 👇️ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon @replsimon.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I recently welcomed Director Yelick from @berkeleylab.lbl.gov to my office in Washington to talk about the importance of federal funding for the innovation happening at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

In case you missed it, a recording of last week's webinar on the generator interconnection queue is now available. Authors presented the latest findings from the @berkeleylab.lbl.gov "Queued Up" data analysis. emp.lbl.gov/queued-2026-...

emp.lbl.gov

Queued Up 2026 Edition: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection As of the End of 2025 | Energy Markets & Planning

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Queued Up 2026 can be found at emp.lbl.gov/queues. And join a webinar with the authors on July 16 at 1pm ET / 10am PT. Register here lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi.... /END

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

And the large load interconnection side is just as heated, with the rush to build data centers. See our report, Speed To Power, which explores more than 40 potential solutions for accelerating large load connections. emp.lbl.gov/publications... 9/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

In related work, @BerkeleyLab is hosting a series of webinars on interconnection studies under the i2X STITCH program. More at emp.lbl.gov/news/registe.... 8/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Our data visualizations include data by region, technology, and time, with interactive maps at the regional, state and county level. Data: emp.lbl.gov/generation-s... Maps: emp.lbl.gov/maps-project... 7/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Just 13% of capacity submitted 2000-20 had come online by 2025, while 75% had withdrawn. Withdrawal rates are high (>40%) even after signing an IA. The time from submitting a request to signing an IA is over 3 years, and over 5 years to reach commercial operation. emp.lbl.gov/transmission... 6/x

emp.lbl.gov

Transmission Interconnection Queue Durations and Outcomes | Energy Markets & Planning

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The volume of interconnection agreements (IAs) is on the rise in most regions: CAISO, ERCOT, SPP, and MISO each signed a record capacity in 2025. CAISO and ERCOT both executed IAs last year amounting to >30 GW of capacity. 5/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The queue was likely impacted by new reforms adopted by FERC and some grid operators. FERC’s Order 2023 requires projects to be studied in batches, imposes penalties if studies are not done on time, and has stricter readiness requirements to discourage speculation. www.ferc.gov/explainer-in... 4/x

ferc.gov

Explainer on the Interconnection Final Rule

Please note that on March 21, 2024, the Commission issued Order 2023-A that revises or clarifies parts of the rule described in the explainer below. OPP published an explainer on Order 2023-A.

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Last year the stack dropped 10% to 2.0 TW, as more than 750 GW withdrew. Gas proposals were up, especially in MISO, SPP, and ERCOT, but solar, storage, and wind capacity decreased. The usual caveat: not all projects in the queue will be built! But it is a strong indicator of near-term trends. 3/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

In our annual tracker, we compiled, aggregated, and cleaned data from all 7 ISO/RTOs and 50 non-ISO balancing areas, which represent ~98% of current US generating capacity. The data goes through the end of 2025. 2/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

New data from @BerkeleyLab shows that the massive backlog of generation & storage interconnection requests has shrunk a bit, as reforms and other market factors take effect. See our slide deck, data dashboard, maps, and downloads at emp.lbl.gov/queues. -THREAD-

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Join us next Tuesday, June 23, for a webinar on regional study processes in MISO and @pjminterconnection.bsky.social. Presentations by staff from MISO and PJM, plus Engie and STRATA. Register for free at uvig.webex.com/webappng/sit...

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

As the interconnection queue gets longer, how can we improve the speed and reliability of connecting new generation and storage? For DOE’s Interconnection Exchange (i2X), we are convening a webinar series to dive into interconnection study methods. Register at uvig.webex.com/webappng/sit...

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

DOE is offering funding for 16-30 recipients under the Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Transmission (iCRS-T) Program. Experts will help transmission providers model advanced transmission technologies and controls that are currently underutilized. www.energywerx.org/opportunitie...

energywerx.org

Voucher Opportunity 11 - i2X Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Transmission (iCRS-T) (Recipients) Jun 18, 2026

Voucher Opportunity 11 - i2X Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Transmission (iCRS-T) (Recipients) with Energywerx.

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Justin Gerdes @justingerdes.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

"A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study has estimated that six types of electricity-using equipment responding to dynamic electricity rates could reduce peak electricity demand in California by up to 8.75 GW by 2030." pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/05/26/s... via @willdriscoll.bsky.social 🔌💡

pv-magazine-usa.com

Solar-friendly dynamic pricing of electricity could cut California’s peak demand by several GW

Dynamic pricing of electricity along with price-responsive residential and commercial equipment would lead to a solar-friendly load shape, while reducing peak demand and customer bills, says a report ...

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab @berkeleylab.lbl.gov · 06/05/2026

“I am honored to serve as director of Berkeley Lab, an institution that has long stood at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation.” – Kathy Yelick newscenter.lbl.gov/2026/05/05/uc-na… @uofcalifornia.bsky.social

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab @berkeleylab.lbl.gov · 06/05/2026

“At a time when advances in AI and data science are transforming how science is done, LBNL is uniquely positioned to lead. I look forward to working with the lab’s extraordinary community to deliver those solutions.” – Kathy Yelick @uofcalifornia.bsky.social

newscenter.lbl.gov

UC Names Katherine Yelick to Head Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Yelick is a distinguished academic and national lab leader with deep expertise in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Brendan Pierpont @brendan.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The researchers at LBL have done a deep dive on rising distribution costs and what is driving them. Really great stuff: emp.lbl.gov/publications...

Graph of US Electric IOU Distribution Expenditures

Graph of Distribution Capex by Cost Category

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Berkeley Lab @berkeleylab.lbl.gov · 06/04/2026

Scientists are building tools to safely unlock energy that's deep underground. The goal? Expand geothermal energy as a 24/7 power source for the American West and beyond. 🌋💡 newscenter.lbl.gov/2026/04/06/scien…

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Brendan Pierpont @brendan.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Updated data on electricity price trends and drivers from the folks at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social: emp.lbl.gov/retail-elect...

emp.lbl.gov

Retail Electricity Price Trends and Drivers | Energy Markets & Planning

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Check out the report here, in the Journal of Building Engineering: emp.lbl.gov/publications... LBNL will host a webinar on this article on 4/2 at 10am PT / 1pm ET. Register here: lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/regi... /end

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

We estimate that electrical panels (even small ones) in most homes have capacity to accommodate new loads. The median 100A panel in our model has up to 62A of headroom. This headroom may enable many homes to avoid electrical panel replacements when adding new loads. 4/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Electrical panels need available breaker space to accommodate new loads, but we estimate that at least 20% of panels of all sizes have no available breaker space. Homes with larger-capacity electrical panels generally have more available breaker space. 3/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

We estimate that most U.S. single-family homes (58%) have electrical panels with at least 200A of capacity, but the share of these panels varies by state. For example, homes in Southern states are most likely to have 200A panels, while homes in Northeastern states are least likely. 2/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Data on electrical panels is important for understanding the costs and grid impacts of adding new loads to homes. A new study from @BerkeleyLab provides nationwide estimates of electrical panel capacity, available breaker space, and panel headroom for new loads in U.S. single-family homes.🔌🏠 1/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

States, public power utilities, and rural cooperatives can also apply for LBNL technical assistance to consider, develop, and implement sandboxes - or novel pilots and programs - for advanced T&D technologies like smart reclosers, advanced conductors, and flexible transformers. 3/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) new Regulatory Sandbox Navigator toolkit provides information for states and utilities on how to use sandboxes to promote innovation, examples across the country, and practical materials to tailor a sandbox to meet local objectives. 2/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Advanced technologies for transmission and distribution (T&D) can increase capacity and improve electricity reliability and affordability. But they don’t easily scale under traditional regulatory practices. “Sandboxes” reduce barriers to deploying these innovative technologies. <THREAD>

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

A reminder: State agencies and utilities are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance to develop and implement regulatory sandboxes for advanced transmission and distribution technologies by February 13th. Find out more at emp.lbl.gov/regulatory-s.... What are regulatory sandboxes? -->

emp.lbl.gov

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The study looks at hourly energy transfers across thirty-two US transmission interfaces, from 2014 to 2023. By comparing real-time energy prices in the exporting and importing regions, it gauges the economic efficacy of transactions. 4/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The net saving of $679 million could be much higher if uneconomic trades were avoided and all economic opportunities were pursued. Using existing transmission capacity, another $789 million could be regained. 3/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

As much as a quarter of all interregional transactions are uneconomical – that is, higher priced power is imported when cheaper local power is available. In the worst case, up to 81% of transactions are uneconomic. 2/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Electricity trades across regions can save money, but market inefficiencies can erode those savings. A new study from @BerkeleyLab finds $1.23 billion a year in gross savings were offset by $551 million of uneconomic transactions. 🧵 🔌 💡 1/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

States, public power utilities, and rural cooperatives can also apply for technical assistance to consider, develop, and implement sandboxes - or novel pilots and programs - for advanced T&D technologies like smart reclosers, advanced conductors, and flexible transformers. 3/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Berkeley Lab's new Regulatory Sandbox Navigator toolkit provides information for states and utilities on how to use sandboxes to promote innovation, examples across the country, and practical materials to tailor a sandbox to meet local objectives. 2/x

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

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Institute of Public Utilities at Michigan State University @ipu-msu.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

The recording of yesterday's policy forum on data centers and resource use, co-hosted with the MSU Institute of Public Policy & Social Research, is now online. Thanks to our panelists for sharing their expertise: Dr. Ryan Wiser (LBNL), Dr. Dong Zhao (MSU), and Mr. Douglas Jester (5 Lakes Energy).

youtu.be

Data Driven: The Facts about Data Centers in Michigan

YouTube video by IPPSR

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Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab @berkeleylabemp.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Next Tuesday: join this free webinar on distributed energy resources from @berkeleylab.lbl.gov.

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Reposted by Energy Markets & Planning at Berkeley Lab

Institute of Public Utilities at Michigan State University @ipu-msu.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

The Institute of Public Utilities is proud to be teaming up with the MSU Institute of Public Policy & Social Research on their 12/16 policy forum! The event will be recorded. Topic: Data centers and energy/water use Guests: Ryan Wiser (LBNL), Douglas Jester (5 Lakes Energy), and Dong Zhao (MSU).

ippsr.msu.edu

Data Centers | Institute for Public Policy and Social Research

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