Entergy and NextEra are bringing a new wave of solar and storage development to the Southern United States that will significantly bolster the portfolio of renewables in the region.

Entergy and NextEra Energy Resources LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc., today announced a joint development agreement of up to 4.5 GW of new solar generation and energy storage projects.

“We’re excited about this joint development agreement, which will enable Entergy to provide our customers with low-cost, renewable energy as demand grows across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas,” said Rod West, group president of utility operations for Entergy.

“We believe the power sector is at an inflection point, and growing electricity demand will be met by low-cost, renewable generation and storage,” added Rebecca Kujawa, president and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Resources. “We’re pleased to reach this agreement because it further strengthens our long-standing collaboration and adds up to 4.5 GW on top of the more than 1.7 GW of renewable energy projects already underway with Entergy.”

Texas is a utility-scale solar powerhouse, ranking second nationally with more than 32 GW of installed capacity, but the other states in Entergy’s territory aren’t as far along. Louisiana has just 617 MW installed, and only 0.7% of its electricity comes from solar (in Texas it’s more than 6%, for comparison). Mississippi ranks 37th in the country with about 577 MW installed; Arkansas is 27th with 1.1 GW and about 2% of its energy mix comes from solar.

The landscape in the region is shifting, however.

Last month, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to add up to three gigawatts of economic solar power to its generation portfolio, marking what the utility calls the largest renewable power expansion in the state’s history.

EDP Renewables North America recently announced a 175-MW solar project in Mississippi County, Arkansas called Crooked Lake Solar Park that will directly support Arkansas’ electric grid. In Mississippi, the first of three solar plus storage projects from Origis Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority has reached commercial operation; the triumvirate is expected to be completed next year.

Originally published in Renewable Energy World.

2023’s Release of New Regulations was the first Mega Session held at POWERGEN. Regulations highlighted in the 90-minute panel included New Source Performance Standards, the Good Neighbor Rule, Effluent Limitation Guidelines, Coal Combustion Residuals and others.

But a majority of the time was spent talking about proposed carbon emission standards for coal-fired plants and new and existing natural gas-fired plants. The technology-based standards, proposed by EPA in May 2023, lean on hydrogen co-firing and carbon capture and sequestration (CCUS) as strategies for decarbonizing these plants.

Nick Hutson, Energy Strategies Group Lead at EPA and one of the Mega Session panelists, said the agency has heard from various groups and stakeholders during the comment period leading up to the final rule being issued.

The comment period ended December 20, with a finalized rule expected in the Spring.

As we’ve reported, the power industry is fractured over EPA’s proposal. Some utility trade groups say the proposal should not be finalized, while others say improvements are needed. Still other utilities have thrown their support behind it. Opposition to the rule often comes with concerns that its implementation would jeopardize reliability.

While emissions reduction is EPA’s primary objective, Hutson said the agency always wants to “make sure that we’re not adding to the problem unnecessarily.”

“We always do modeling to evaluate what is the projected outcome of our policies,” he said.

As the rule is currently proposed, any coal-fired power plant intending to operate past 2040 would have to install a CCS system that captures 90% of its CO2 emissions by 2030. Any large, frequently operating natural gas-fired power plant would have to either install a 90% capture CCS system by 2035 or operate nearly entirely on clean hydrogen by 2038.

Generators that can’t meet the new standards would be forced to retire.

Jordan Flanagan spoke on the panel representing the Institute of Clean Air Companies (ICAC), a trade association representing technology, equipment and service providers in the power sector.

She said the proposed EPA rules offer both opportunities and challenges for ICAC members.

“Our members have a lot of proven technologies that are available right now to deploy commercially,” said Flanagan, Policy and Programs Associate for ICAC. “But they’re also seeing lots of opportunities and challenges for some of the newer concepts posed by the greenhouse gas power plant rule. There’s a lot of uncertainty around it.”

David Triplett, Sr. Mgr. Environmental Policy & Sustainability at Entergy, offered a utility’s perspective on the proposed rules.

He said while the rules are only proposed and are subject to change before being finalized, they are “important additional inputs” that utilities need to factor into their generation planning processes.

“Our sector really is at an inflection point in terms of change with how we’re meeting resource adequacy requirements,” said Triplett.

Entergy is already taking an “all of the above” approach to resource planning, with a goal of 50% carbon reductions from its fleet by 2030 and to be completely net-zero by 2050.

Triplett said Entergy has signed memorandums of understanding with “a number of partners” to include all potential technologies.

“We’re investigating every possible path to find the one that’s going to be most cost effective and effective feasible for our fleet to get to [net-zero],” he said.

Triplett was asked about what he expects to be the most significant challenges in complying with the proposed power plant emission rules.

“With the with the hydrogen and CCS aspects, there’s significant infrastructure that needs to be built out to support those technologies at our generating facilities that doesn’t exist today or exist in a limited extent,” he said.

Triplett added the caveat that if it does happen, “it will happen here first,” speaking on the existing pipelines in the Gulf Coast region.

Regarding other potential compliance considerations, Triplett noted the importance of timing. With multiple proposed power sector regulations expected to be finalized in 2024, he said thoughtful alignment of compliance requirements is critical to ensuring effective utility resource planning, integration of new generation and continued reliable operation of existing generation resources.

For example, Entergy plans to exit coal by 2030, yet coal compliance dates from the EPA come both before and after Entergy’s anticipated coal retirements.

“Our hope is as EPA takes action to finalize these rules, these various dates will become into closer alignment,” said Triplett. “From our perspective, we don’t want to have to dedicate additional capital to units that are going to deactivate in the near to medium term that could otherwise be deployed more productively for new generation.”

Entergy, a Fortune 500 company, powers 3 million customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. They invest in reliability, resilience, and cleaner energy solutions. With a century-long commitment to communities, they’re a national leader in sustainability, contributing over $100 million annually since 2018 through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy employs around 12,000 professionals. As the host utility for POWERGEN International 2024, Entergy will play a pivotal role in driving discussions around the future of the power generation industry. 

“We are thrilled to have Entergy as our host utility for POWERGEN International 2024. ” said Desiree Hanson, Chief Commercial Officer at Clarion Events, Inc. “Entergy’s reputation for reliability and their commitment to sustainable energy solutions align perfectly with corporate and event values. Together, we will continue to drive innovation and progress in the power generation sector.” 

“We are delighted to serve as the host utility for POWERGEN International and eagerly anticipate welcoming attendees to experience the vibrant offerings of New Orleans this January,” stated Hisham Sidani, Vice President of Power Generation, Entergy Corp. “POWERGEN consistently delivers a top-tier educational exhibition in our industry each year, and Entergy is thrilled to take a prominent role in the 2024 event. We are confident that our city will deliver an unforgettable experience, and we extend a warm welcome to our energy peers as they join us in The Big Easy.” 

POWERGEN International® has also announced the release of their industry-leading Technical Conference Program, focusing on decarbonization, hydrogen, nuclear, and how power plants can evolve towards Destination 2050. 

Kevin Clark, Content Director for Generation at Clarion Events, shared insights into the educational sessions planned for POWERGEN International® 2024, stating, “Our advisory committee has curated an exceptional lineup of sessions led by industry pioneers shaping the future of power generation and the broader energy transformation. POWERGEN presents an unmatched opportunity to explore the latest developments in both conventional and renewable power generation, the digital evolution of power plants, energy storage solutions, plant performance optimization, onsite power systems and a wide range of other innovations.”  

For more information about POWERGEN International® and to register visit powergen.com. 

Nearly 200 people, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, attended a groundbreaking ceremony this week to celebrate the start of construction.

Mitsubishi Power is supplying the two M501JAC gas turbines, steam turbine, heat recovery steam generator and advanced control recovery system. The company said OCAPS could eventually work up to 100% hydrogen. Hydrogen produces zero carbon emissions when combusted as a fuel source for electric generation.

A consortium of Mitsubishi Power, Sargent & Lundy and TIC—The Industrial Company will provide Entergy with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to build the plant.

The expected total cost of the project is $1.2 billion, which includes the estimated costs of the generation facilities, transmission upgrades, contingency, allowance for funds used during construction and necessary regulatory expenses, among others.

The construction of OCAPS is expected create nearly $1.8 billion in total economic activity in Southeast Texas.

According to a proposal to the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the utility would enter into a 20-year purchase power agreement with NextEra Energy subsidiary Coastal Prairie Solar, LLC, for energy produced by a 175 MW solar project to be built in Iberville Parish.

Also under the proposal, Entergy would be allowed to build and operate what would become the Sterlington Solar Facility, a 49 MW project in Ouachita Parish.

If approved, construction could begin in the spring of 2024 with the Iberville facility fully operational in late 2025. The Sterlington Solar Facility would then follow in early 2026. 

Entergy currently has approximately 280 MW of renewable resources in its Louisiana mix. This includes the 50 MW Capital Region Solar facility, which began delivering power to the grid in October 2020.

The company said that Entergy Louisiana has “several thousand megawatts of renewable capacity in various stages of planning and procurement that will be brought to the Commission for approval in the near future.”

Entergy Texas is calling for 2,000 MW of solar and wind generating resources through a recently issued request for proposals (RFP).

The RFP represents a substantial increase from prior solicitations. Since 2019, Entergy Texas has issued two RFPs totaling 600 MW. The latest RFP also allows bidders to offer battery storage options to further balance the renewable additions.

Entergy was recently approved to build the Orange County Advanced Power Station, a 1,215 MW combined cycle plant that will be located near Bridge City, Texas.

Located in one of the largest industrial regions in the country, the plant would have the initial capability to use up to 30% hydrogen by volume along with natural gas to generate power.

Entergy Texas is a unit of New Orleans-based Entergy Corp., which owns and operates about 30,000 MW of electric generating capacity and delivers it to customers in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved Entergy’s proposal to build the Orange County Advanced Power Station, a 1,215 MW combined cycle plant that will be located near Bridge City.

Located in one of the largest industrial regions in the country, the plant would have the initial capability to use up to 30% hydrogen by volume along with natural gas to generate power.

Mitsubishi Power, which is supplying two M501JAC gas turbines, says the plant would eventually work up to 100% hydrogen. Hydrogen produces zero carbon emissions when combusted as a fuel source for electric generation.

Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2023, with the plant in service by summer 2026.

Entergy Texas President and CEO Eliecer Viamontes said the ability to use hydrogen as an additional fuel source will provide reliability to Texans if the delivery of natural gas is constrained, like during 2021’s Winter Storm Uri.

Holtec International and Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) are launching an effort to accelerate the design of Holtec’s SMR-160 small modular reactor.

The signing ceremony Oct. 18 at Holtec’s Technology Campus in Camden, New Jersey builds on the companies’ 2021 agreement to work together on the SMR-160 design. Holtec said the small nuclear reactor would be deployable in most regions of the world without any significant modifications, reducing the time for the plant’s commissioning.

The teams want to pair the SMR-160 with a solar and energy storage system dubbed the Green Boiler. The facility would store surplus energy from the SMR-160 power plant and from the grid during periods of excess generation, dispatching the energy when needed.

The SMR-160 is a pressurized light-water reactor, generating 160 MWe/525 MWt using low-enriched uranium fuel, which could also produce process heat for industrial applications and hydrogen production. The partners aim to install SMR-160-centered ecosystems in over fifteen countries.

In July 2022, Holtec submitted a loan application to U.S. Department of Energy for a $7.4 billion program to help build four SMR-160s. Funding would also allow Holtec to expand the output capacity of its existing advanced manufacturing plant in New Jersey and to establish a new giga-factory to manufacture SMR-160s.

Holtec has also entered into an agreement with Entergy to evaluate the possibility of deploying one or more SMR-160s at Entergy sites.

In addition to Entergy’s service area as a potential location, the loan application also mentions building the first SMR-160 at Holtec’s Oyster Creek plant site (purchased from Exelon in 2018) in New Jersey.  It said the new high-capacity manufacturing plant “will likely be located” in the region where the first SMR-160s is deployed.  

The Holtec and Hyundai E&C team is being supported by Kiewit and Mitsubishi Electric.

Entergy Arkansas plans to build the state’s largest solar project to power steel manufacturing plants near Osceola in Mississippi County.

The Arkansas Public Service Commission greenlit the 250 MW Driver solar project, which would be built by Lightsource bp, one of the largest solar developers in the world.

Lightsource bp has completed development and permitting of the solar field and plans to build the facility under a build-transfer agreement with Entergy Arkansas. Driver Solar has an expected completion date in late 2024.

Driver solar would be sited adjacent to the U. S. Steel’s Big River Steel facility.

All 250 MW of the Driver solar project will be generated using advanced, ultra-low carbon thin-film solar modules manufactured by First Solar at its manufacturing complex in Ohio. In November 2021, Lightsource bp announced a large procurement deal with First Solar for 5.4 GW of modules.

The project is another step toward a cleaner future for Entergy Arkansas. Earlier in 2022 Entergy Arkansas issued an RFP for 1,000 MW of wind and solar resources.

In June, Entergy discussed plans for up to 7 GW of renewable resources across its portfolio by the end of 2025, and as much as 17 GW by the end of 2031.

Entergy Louisiana and Diamond Generating Corporation (DGC) signed an agreement to evaluate and potentially deploy offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

Efforts will initially focus on the evaluation of grid interconnection to determine the optimal size and locations of future offshore wind development.

“This is an important first step to possibly bring wind power to our Louisiana shores,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO.

Earlier in 2022, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) submitted the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, which offered a series of recommendations that can lead Louisiana to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This includes adding five GW of offshore wind generation capacity by 2035.

Federal support includes passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which contains $370 billion for climate and energy programs. Boosted by the legislation, policy experts say offshore wind power is poised for growth.

President Joe Biden signed executive orders in July 2022 that aim to bolster the U.S. offshore wind industry and address the impacts of climate change.

Biden’s administration has identified two zones for offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico, which up until now has been firmly identified with oil and gas production. This action could help jump-start the years-long offshore wind development process after former President Donald Trump had cast uncertainty on the industry by banning new wind leases in certain parts off the U.S. Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico.

Biden has set a goal for the deployment of 30 GW of offshore wind generating capacity by 2030 – enough to power 10 million homes.

Entergy Louisiana has approximately 280 MW of renewable resources, including the Capital Region Solar facility, which began delivering power to the grid in October 2020. Along with nuclear generation, nearly 30% of the company’s portfolio comes from renewable resources. Louisiana regulators also recently approved 475 MW of solar power with an additional 2,000 megawatts in the queue.

DGC is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation and was formed to develop, own and operate offshore wind projects in the U.S.