Renewable Energy Storage Linked To Success In Statewide Plans

An article in Alternate Energy Magazine.com, an article by Megan Ray Nichols points out how renewable energy is continuing to outperform expectations. In Colorado, for example, Nichols showcases the states largest utility company Xcel Energy, planned to double its renewable energy capacity and in 2016 began a plan to shut down two coal plants and add 700 megawatts of solar energy, one gigawatt of wind, and 700 megawatts of natural gas.

To do this, the importance of energy storage was also a major factor in the distribution of energy. According to Xcel Energy, adding storage from batteries helped to mitigate the effects of generating power only in the sunshine or in windy conditions. According to Nichols the plan is still in the works and is moving to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission for approval.