Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Distributed storage could see growth in demand amid COVID-19 pandemic, analysts say
The circumstances of the outbreak and the raft of restrictions that states have implemented to prevent its spread could spur interest in resources that provide resilience and self-reliance, analysts say.
Kavya Balaraman • March 26, 2020 -
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/49565892277/in/album-72157713108522106/.
How COVID-19 is impacting 5 state energy legislation efforts
At least 22 states have delayed legislative sessions and most others are shifting priorities toward the pandemic. That means state energy progress will likely take a hit this session, stakeholders say.
Catherine Morehouse • March 26, 2020 -
Coronavirus could disrupt normal refueling practices for nuclear facilities as staffing concerns grow
Across the U.S., nuclear sites need to accommodate an influx of workers during the spring for cyclical refueling procedures, which will be difficult based on public health restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2020 -
Cheapest is not always best: Concentrated solar power could beat lower price PV with new market rules
With its zero-emissions mandate, California will need a diversity of renewable resources along with CSP, "particularly because of its long duration storage" potential, the state's Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said.
Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2020 -
COVID-19 may sport the thinnest silver lining: a cleaner climate
There is evidence of declining carbon emissions and improved air quality as societies lock down. Experts say potential stimulus funding could present an opportunity to perpetuate these changes.
Chris Teale • March 24, 2020 -
PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears
Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.
Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020 -
A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists
An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.
Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020 -
Nuclear energy storage? Advanced reactor developers trying to expand nuclear power's selling points
Molten salt reactors have been trying to reach commercialization for several years, and developers are now emphasizing their potential storage capability. But that may not be enough.
Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020 -
Adobe Stock
Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value
Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.
Herman K. Trabish • March 04, 2020 -
Green hydrogen gets real as utility business models and delivery solutions emerge
The fuel may be the only way to meet power system needs in zero emissions scenarios and the market signals to produce and use it are finally clear.
Herman K. Trabish • March 02, 2020 -
'Nobody's really for this bill, so why does it keep moving?': Indiana coal bill hits state Senate today
House Bill 1414 has drawn a diverse coalition of business and energy stakeholder opposition. After passing the House earlier this month, it's headed to the Senate today.
Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 27, 2020 -
Getty Images
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 -
Getty
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
