Deep Dive

NextEra’s ‘game-changing’ Real Zero emissions goal spurs questions about hydrogen, demand-side management

NextEra, the world’s biggest IOU by market cap, wants a “real” reduction of all carbon emissions by FPL, its regulated subsidiary, with solar, batteries and green hydrogen, but it will go without much help from the demand side.

Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2022

Biden executive order on power system cybersecurity leaves critical operations vulnerable, experts say

From mysterious electronics in Chinese transformers to sensors without password protections, analysts see growing vulnerabilities in U.S. power system operations.

Herman K. Trabish • July 25, 2022

High energy prices, Ukraine war and rising demand response potential spur energy efficiency efforts

New energy efficiency as demand response opportunities can meet customer and system needs as well as set the EU and the world free from both Russian energy and stopgap coal burning, International Energy Agency leaders said.

Herman K. Trabish • July 11, 2022

Hawaii poised to close the door on coal despite delays to clean energy projects

The state is turning to a mix of demand response efforts, distributed energy resources and utility-scale renewable energy projects to keep the lights on after its last coal plant retires in September. 

Kavya Balaraman • July 6, 2022

Upheaval in utility regulation emerging nationally as Hawaii proves a performance-based approach

Hawaii’s hard work on a PBR framework that protects utilities, consumers and the environment is paying off, but other states’ shortcuts could undermine success, advocates worry.

Herman K. Trabish • July 5, 2022

Rethinking California distribution system operations and grid services markets for a high-DER future

California wants a cost-effective, reliable and equitable power system with well-compensated distributed resources to balance the bulk power system and meet local needs.

Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2022

Inside Ithaca’s plan to electrify 6,000 buildings and grow a regional green workforce using private equity funds

The city has mustered $105 million in private funds to support low-cost loans for businesses and residents to install heat pumps.

Robert Walton • June 2, 2022

'Dramatic shift' in utility regulations, better pilot designs needed to propel energy transition, DOE report finds

Electric industry players call for innovations in the way regulators handle pilots of new utility and private sector technologies and system operations in a new Department of Energy paper.

Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2022

California's 'affordability crisis' attracts innovative ratemaking and regulatory proposals

Double-digit year-on-year spikes in electricity rates are leading California regulators and stakeholders to search for ways to protect climate goals and rate affordability.

Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2022

As California confronts the future of its natural gas system, who could get left behind?

Without a proper transition strategy, experts worry that potential declines in natural gas demand will lead to large increases in energy bills likely to fall on the state's most vulnerable customers.

Kavya Balaraman • May 16, 2022

The fight for a national clean energy transmission system emerges on three fronts

DOE’s multi-part transmission study, FERC’s refocus on transmission planning, and macrogrid advocacy efforts could produce an interconnected nation ready for net zero electricity by 2035, industry, government and other experts say.

Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

Supply-chain squeeze: Solar, storage industries grapple with delays, price spikes as demand continues to grow

Facing price pressures and uncertainties, developers are struggling to complete projects or procure new ones, experts say.

Kavya Balaraman • March 31, 2022

Ukraine war could extend bump in US coal use, but utilities remain confident in decarbonization path

When 2021 natural gas demand drove prices up, generators turned to coal. The war in Ukraine seems to be driving a similar pattern.

Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2022

As Duke and Dominion ramp up their net zero goals, the supply chain comes into view

The companies have expanded their net zero commitments to include Scope 3 emissions. What will that take?

Jason Plautz • March 16, 2022

Have some renewable energy? An investor would like to speak with you.

After stagnating for more than a decade, demand for renewable energy investments is now surging, leading to questions about how long the current pace can continue.

Emma Penrod • March 10, 2022

Texas just dodged a repeat of 2021 outages, but its power sector has a long way to go, analysts say

Texas has weatherized its generators and protected critical infrastructure, but additional market reforms, new technologies, regional support and energy efficiency are still required, policymakers and analysts agreed

Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2022

Utility regulators eye new tools to ensure equity efforts don't impinge on other policy goals

Utilities can advance equity with innovative performance-based or arrears management programs that keep rate spikes from slowing beneficial electrification and emissions reductions, stakeholders said.

Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 21, 2022

Bitcoin mining as a grid resource? 'It's complicated.'

Up to 10% of a cryptocurrency mine's revenues can come from grid services and demand flexibility. Is this new breed of data center making communities more resilient — or is it just contributing to the electric grid's problems, as some critics claim?

Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2022

More electric buses join transit fleets as costs and technology improve

As zero-emission buses are added to more transit fleets, officials and bus manufacturers are optimistic about their potential, but they caution that planning, training and learning from other cities are needed.

Dan Zukowski • Feb. 2, 2022

Breakthroughs in generation and system integration are driving the utility of the future, analysts say

The new technologies will reverse the supply-demand equation and bring competitive procurement and a transaction platform to merge the bulk power and distribution systems.

Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2022

DOE leverages new and existing authorities to spur transmission development key to energy transition

The transmission deployment program melds existing authority with the infrastructure bill to bolster project planning, permitting and financing, according to experts.

Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2022

Battery-electric vs. hydrogen trucks: The debate heads into 2022

As fleets eye a future with zero emissions, industry remains undecided whether battery electric vehicles or fuel cell electric vehicles will come out ahead.

Jim Stinson • Jan. 26, 2022

2022 Outlook: US solar and wind boom continues despite supply chain woes, Build Back Better uncertainty

Experts agree that many provisions in the pending legislation are essential to expand renewable energy deployment, but demand continues to build as more risk-averse investors show interest in the market.

Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 21, 2022

2022 Outlook: FERC expected to prioritize transmission, power markets and gas infrastructure

With a new Democratic majority, observers expect Chairman Glick will move quickly on an agenda that could facilitate the energy transition.

Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2022