The Latest
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100% renewable energy omnibus clears Massachusetts Senate
The package of energy bills would also remove net metering caps, increase the storage mandate and void demand charges approved earlier this year for Eversource.
Transmission & Distribution -
SponsoredProtection & control personnel – Protecting the grid one element at a time…
What questions might a new entrant into the power systems industry have when it comes to the power grid? Field and engineering teams have proven to be quite resilient, eager to learn new skills that the modern power grid infrastructure is demanding.
Distributed Energy -
National Grid targets 80% carbon cut across buildings, transport, power
The utility says its Northeast 80x50 Pathway strategy is consistent with state goals where it does business: New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Generation -
Deep DiveShould the regulatory two-step give way to a new, performance-based dance?
Critics say traditional cost-of-service ratemaking is behind the times, but newer models require a complex production from a variety of industry players.
Distributed Energy -
Is Siemens considering unloading its gas turbine business?
A sale for the troubled unit is reportedly being discussed, but no decisions have been made and, internally, officials say the company remains committed to the business.
Generation -
FERC rejects Mountain Valley challenges, dividing again over climate, pipeline need
More than a dozen environmental groups petitioned FERC to review its October approval of the 300-mile pipeline, but FERC said its original decision is valid.
Transmission & Distribution -
SQN Capital to 'revitalize' bankrupt Suniva's solar production
The company has acquired the technology, licenses and manufacturing capacity of the solar panel maker and is close to determining a partner to provide the "best path to revitalizing the company."
Solar & Renewables -
Trump nominates climate doubter Simmons to head DOE renewables office
Daniel Simmons used to work for the American Energy Alliance, a conservative lobbying group that advocated eliminating the DOE renewables office in 2015.
Solar & Renewables -
Sierra Club cries foul over PacifiCorp coal study secrecy
Oregon regulators directed PacifiCorp to review the cost of its coal resources. Now the company wants nondisclosure agreements to review the findings, according to the Sierra Club.
Generation -
Scientists say new material can triple lithium-ion battery energy density
The research strategy could be applied to other high-energy conversion materials, and future studies may use the approach to improve other battery systems.
Energy Storage -
Electrified heating with demand management could cut US carbon emissions 10%: RMI
The group's report suggests prioritizing retrofits for homes that now provide heat with propane and heating oil and ending the expansion of natural gas distribution infrastructure, particularly to new housing developments.
Transmission & Distribution -
Deep DiveAs distributed solar expands, can utility system planning keep up?
New research shows only utilities with a lot of customer-sited solar need to pay the price of advanced forecasting, but all utilities need to plan for more solar.
Solar & Renewables -
Massachusetts utilities conclude contract negotiations to import hydro
The state's electric distribution companies reached agreements with Hydro-Québec and Central Maine Power Company and will file the 20-year contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
Transmission & Distribution -
Consumers Energy to file plan for no coal, 43% renewables
The utility seeks to close its Karn coal plant and employ a barrage of grid modernization tools, demand response and efficiency to reduce demand by more than 20%.
Generation -
Vistra will shrink its generating portfolio before growing it, CEO says
At a June 12 analyst meeting, Curtis Morgan also said the company is looking at energy storage opportunities and criticized the Trump Administration's plans to support ailing coal and nuclear plants.
Generation -
Connecticut taps Deepwater Wind to provide 200 MW offshore energy
The Revolution Wind Project is the state's first venture into offshore wind and was selected as part of a 250 MW acquisition of clean energy resources.
Solar & Renewables -
Oklahoma Gas & Electric secures rate recovery for new gas plant
The utility has invested almost $400 million in the 462 MW Mustang Energy Center, but customers will see an overall decline in monthly bills.
Generation -
LaFleur defies FERC majority, will consider broad climate impacts of pipelines
The Democratic regulator said she will consider all facts in FERC cases on pipelines, "even those overlooked by the majority."
Generation -
On the bright side, report finds residential solar won't decline this year
After a 15% decline in 2017, a new report expects solar capacity additions to remain stable this year as customers get harder to find. It's "actually pretty good news," said one analyst.
Generation -
NV Energy 2.3-cent solar contract could set new price record
The utility's proposed power purchase agreement beats an Arizona project that GTM Research previously said was the cheapest solar contract in the nation.
Generation -
FERC regulators: No security emergency to justify DOE coal, nuke bailout
All five commissioners stayed silent when a senator asked if they believe security threats mean DOE should subsidize struggling coal and nuclear generators.
Generation -
Deep DiveUtilities target marketplace for customer interaction, energy savings
Branded online markets, like PG&E's Marketplace, can boost customer engagement while introducing new energy-saving rates and services.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
ISO-NE implements 'pay-for-performance' capacity market incentives
The new scheme will provide incentives to reward resources for investments that boost performance during periods of system stress.
Generation -
First Solar breaks ground on Ohio manufacturing plant
The factory will produce panels capable of generating 1.2 GW annually. The plant is expected to generate 500 new jobs in northwestern Ohio.
Solar & Renewables -
Florida PSC to review utility storm prep as hurricane season begins
Following months of analysis, regulators will examine potential areas for further reducing outages and restoration times.
Transmission & Distribution