Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Slowed pay-off from billions in AMI investment puts the technology's future in doubt
Regulators have approved billions for utilities to roll out advanced metering infrastructure, but they expected new customer and system benefits, not just lower utility operation costs.
Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Utilities don't see stranded assets as a top risk. Should they?
Despite growing concerns that "bullish" utility investments in natural gas may lead to stranded assets amid rapid decarbonization, just 18% of utility employees surveyed by Utility Dive view those risks as a top concern.
Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 14, 2020 -
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Utilities say they are prepared to meet cyber threats. Are they?
Experts warn that cyber standards compliance is not synonymous with security, as Utility Dive's annual survey shows that less than 60% "believe their organization is in or approaching compliance with government cybersecurity mandates."
Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020 -
Why is the utility industry less bullish on grid-scale storage?
This year, 27% of participants in the State of the Electric Utility survey said they expect their organization will significantly increase grid-scale battery storage in the next 10 years — compared to 34% last year.
Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 13, 2020 -
PG&E
PG&E is betting heavily on microgrids. But can it move away from fossil fuels?
The utility is proposing to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation in areas that are vulnerable to public safety power shut-offs.
Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 28, 2020 -
Geothermal's surprise: Cheap renewables could keep states from achieving climate goals
Planners must think beyond the levelized cost for renewables to the value that each resource brings to the grid.
Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2020 -
NYC's roofs are getting a sustainable makeover, but is green or solar better?
It's been two months since New York's Sustainable Roof Laws, part of the Climate Mobilization Act, took effect. Now architects and officials must decide which system is best.
Cailley LaPara • Jan. 24, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by tommaso79 via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: New state action on customer empowering rate designs and business models
Regulators, utilities and stakeholders will pilot simple price signals and work toward agreement on a performance-based framework, but California may be in for a surprise.
Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by LL28 via Getty Images
2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond
2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.
Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by wattanaphob via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: From light bulbs to dishwashers, court battles to continue on DOE's efficiency moves
The U.S. Department of Energy's appliance standards program turned into a policy lightning rod in 2019. Experts anticipate more of the same.
Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by Petmal via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: Renewables, resilience and reliability needs will drive storage
The storage industry will face its fair share of challenges, including increasing safety regulations, regulatory barriers and market uncertainty, experts say.
Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 21, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by jhorrocks via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: Utilities will be pushed to further embrace distributed energy resources
As net metering fades, some states will move ahead with new visions for DERs, while others are playing catch-up.
Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by thinkreaction via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment
"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.
Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by LL28 via Getty Images
2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid
Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.
Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by LL28 via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: Coal faces headwinds from aging plants, adverse market signals and high remediation costs
Despite persistent economic challenges, the coal industry continues to fight to preserve its place in the U.S. energy mix.
Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 14, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by LL28 via Getty Images
2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector
From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.
Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020 -
Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions
Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.
Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 06, 2020 -
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Tax credit, net metering declines strike distributed solar, but falling costs, storage offer new hope
With tax credits and net metering threatened, previous withdrawals of financial support mechanisms show what the distributed solar industry may soon face.
Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 19, 2019 -
Investigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition
Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."
Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019 -
Northern California's wildfire season is effectively over. What's next for PG&E?
While PG&E did not cause another catastrophic wildfire in Northern California this year, it still has to deal with risky infrastructure, the likelihood of prolonged power shut-offs and the specter of municipalization.
Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 11, 2019 -
Adeline Kon, Industry Dive
Road to 100: How four cities are leading the renewables revolution
Utility Dive visited four U.S. cities powered by 100% renewables, getting local insights on the political will and economic drivers that got them there.
Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019 -
Pixabay
Road to 100: How Western water rights and local billionaires complicated Aspen's renewables path
Controversy over hydropower in the Mountain West politicized the city's 100% renewables goal, bringing in a wave of opposition.
Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019 -
Greensburg tourism
Road to 100: How a demolished Kansas town became a model of DOE renewables resilience
The destruction wrought by a 2007 tornado gave the federal government an opportunity to build up a fully renewable town in a conservative part of the country.
Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 04, 2019 -
Can new transmission tech boost capacity and save billions? Two proposals aim to find out
Advocates are pushing a "shared savings" approach to incentivize deployment, but system operators have doubts.
Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 03, 2019 -
Catherine Morehouse, Utility Dive
Road to 100: How the shale boom broke Georgetown, Texas' renewables spell
In 2017, the city of about 50,000 became the largest in the U.S. able to claim it ran on 100% renewable energy. But after customer bills spiked last year, its utility department is facing an overhaul.
Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 25, 2019
