The Latest
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Deep DiveCan the price of rooftop solar keep falling?
"If prices keep dropping, [rooftop solar] adoption will continue and a smart utility CEO would watch the market and think about ways utilities can have some control over distributed resources."
Solar & Renewables -
Utility spending on major Republican groups outpaces Democrats over 2:1, EPI finds
NextEra Energy led utility contributions in 2017-2018 for three Republican organizations, spending $1.9 million, while PSEG Services, the top contributor on the Democratic side, gave $297,500.
Regulation & Policy -
Deep DiveSpotlight: 6 key issues driving the utility sector today
The industry is undergoing a fundamental transition as it moves away from a centralized, baseload-focused past to a more distributed, renewable future.
Generation -
As Dominion plans 3 GW of new wind and solar, it surveys customer renewables goals
The utility issued a request for information on its nonresidential customers' clean energy goals weeks after Virginia released its 10-year energy plan.
Solar & Renewables -
Indiana needs 9.3 GW new resources by 2035, critics want more transparency
Electricity in the state will grow slowly over the next two decades, but the retirement of older power plants is driving the need for cleaner resources.
Generation -
Nissan, EDF Energy to test second-life EV batteries in demand response applications
The expected growth in electric vehicles will lead to a stream of used batteries which still have up to 70% of their original capacity remaining, experts say.
Energy Storage -
OpinionProtecting the grid from cyberattack: Cities on the front lines
The electric grid is increasingly part of our national security, and cities are at the forefront. But a revolution in technology and practice can make us all safer.
Regulation & Policy -
Deep DiveGeneration: Despite headwinds, natural gas reliance set to grow in much of US
Gas-fired generation has been called a bridge to a renewable future, but the length of the bridge depends on where it is.
Generation -
Chatterjee pushes grid operators to design market products for storage
Outside of PJM's Reg D product, there has been "little momentum" in recent years on market rules "particularly suited for storage," Chatterjee said Tuesday in a wide-ranging address on batteries.
Solar & Renewables -
DOE, industry partner to improve lead-acid batteries for power grid, cars
The batteries are well established in automotive and industrial settings and have been used for utility energy storage. But they've fallen behind competing technologies, particularly lithium-ion.
Energy Storage -
Deep DiveElectricity markets: States reassert authority over power generation
States want the benefits of electricity markets but also want to dictate their outcomes. How federal regulators strike a balance will influence the power mix for decades to come.
UPDATED: Oct. 16, 2018 at 9:20 a.m.
Generation -
PJM launches independent investigation into GreenHat default
After declaring the financial transmission rights trader in default last June, the grid operator is now trying to manage tens of millions in losses.
Transmission & Distribution -
Deep DiveBusiness Models: What utilities can learn from Amazon and Netflix about the future of ratemaking
Time- and location-based price signals can guide customer usage, but electricity subscriptions could give more control.
Solar & Renewables -
Xcel, Duke unveil $35M of EV investments in Minnesota, South Carolina
Duke Energy wants to test the vehicle-to-grid capabilities of school buses, while Xcel sees EVs as a way to leverage clean energy investments.
Distributed Energy -
Report: DOE coal, nuclear bailout on hold at White House
Backers of the plan failed to convince key administration officials, Politico reports, putting the spotlight back on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Generation -
OpinionVehicle emissions rollback shouldn't stop utilities from investing in electric vehicles
The expanding electric vehicle market has created new revenue opportunities for electricity generators and utilities, but the Trump administration's recent attempt to roll back fuel efficiency standards creates new uncertainty.
Energy Storage -
Deep DiveElectric Vehicles: The Swiss army knife of the grid
Experts see a future where electric vehicles provide an array of grid services, from demand response to soaking up excess renewable generation.
Distributed Energy -
Massachusetts regulators order Columbia Gas to halt all non-essential work
The moratorium follows a deadly series of explosions in September the Columbia Gas system in northern Massachusetts.
Transmission & Distribution -
Deep DiveGrid Mod: Transactive and distributed tech demand a new approach
Utilities must prove to regulators that grid upgrades will help integrate a new class of resources reliably and cost-effectively.
Transmission & Distribution -
Where do smart cities need to improve? 7 industry leaders weigh in
While the power sector is a key point for innovation when it comes to electrification and smart tech, industry leaders at Smart Cities Week DC posited the focus rests on transportation, communications and other areas.
Regulation & Policy -
AEE keeps tabs on gubernatorial candidates in key energy states
The cleantech trade group published scorecards for candidates from states with open seats and strong market opportunities for clean energy.
Solar & Renewables -
Federal regulators approve transfer of Vermont Yankee nuke for decommissioning
Entergy will transfer the license to NorthStar, which has pledged to decommission and restore the site by 2030, 45 years earlier than Entergy's original plan.
Generation -
Duke proposes 150 MW green tariff program for South Carolina C&I customers
The program would allow nonresidential customers to contract for clean energy through the utility while leaving other consumers "financially neutral."
Solar & Renewables -
In a first, PG&E cuts power to 60,000 to prevent wildfires during wind storm
Planned outages during dry, windy conditions are the "last resort" in a wildfire prevention plan rolled out by the utility last year.
Transmission & Distribution -
Portland General Electric to develop 'smart grids' in 3 Oregon towns
The trio of smart grids will serve 20,000 customers, allowing them to respond to demand management signals and maximize renewable energy consumption.
Transmission & Distribution