Deep Dive

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

2022 Outlook: A new recognition is coming of rate design's critical role in the energy transition

More precise time-varying rates, technology-neutral rates for distributed energy resources, and new ways to use smart technologies could make for a cleaner, lower cost, more reliable power system, analysts said.

Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2022

2022 Outlook: Top US power sector trends to watch

The Biden administration entered 2022 with some key strengths and significant challenges to implementing its clean energy agenda, but states, companies and others are continuing to advance the energy transition.

Kavya Balaraman, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton and Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2022

SOO Green transmission project faces PJM obstacles: Are grid operators hindering the energy transition?

PJM and other grid operators face challenges in facilitating innovation, experts say. A former FERC commissioner offers an alternative approach.

Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2022

The road ahead: How legacy auto brands will level the EV playing field in 2022

After setting the stage with lofty product announcements, carmakers will focus on value, range and brand heritage to close the gap with disrupters like Tesla.

Peter Adams • Jan. 5, 2022

Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021

Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.

Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022

Will Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?

Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.

Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021

New York's landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say

New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.

Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021

'A long way to go': How ConEd, Xcel and 4 other utilities are helping cities meet big EV goals

From New York City to Los Angeles, cities and utilities face cost, land and grid challenges in their efforts to electrify transportation systems. 

Robert Walton, Emma Penrod, Jason Plautz and Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 30, 2021