Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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As utilities scramble to manage explosive DER growth, is power grid autonomy a solution?
The U.S. electric grid could face hundreds of millions of distributed resource deployments in the near future. But optimizing these data points may exceed human ability.
Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2019 -
The unknown costs of a 100% carbon-free future
State approaches to 100% clean energy vary, and while several costs remain unknown, some utility solutions are emerging.
Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 03, 2019 -
Rocky Mountain Power to operate largest US residential battery demand response project
Sonnen and the utility are partnering to build a virtual power plant at the new 600-unit apartment complex, with 12.6 MWh of energy capacity from a 5.2 MW solar array.
Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2019 -
PG&E may answer the billion dollar grid modernization question
A step-by-step regulatory process in California confronts the technical challenges and "obscene expenses" of distributed resource investments.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2019 -
What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?
Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019 -
How grid operators forecast weather and output from renewables
RTOs and ISOs told Utility Dive their top challenges and initiatives when it comes to forecasting output from intermittent resources.
Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Everyone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth
Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility
New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas
Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019 -
Crossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy
A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.
Max Witynski • Aug. 08, 2019 -
As co-ops struggle with stranded fossil fuel assets, Tri-State may finally embrace the energy transition
"Our goal is a transition that lowers rates. It might be hard – but it might be beautiful," the G&T's new CEO told Utility Dive.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 07, 2019 -
Harvesting hybrid solutions from performance-based rates: 'Not all or nothing'
While performance incentives can't "bribe a utility into being something fundamentally different," they can fundamentally reduce the friction of transition.
Herman K. Trabish • July 24, 2019 -
Performance-based regulation: Seeking the new utility business model
As the push to upend traditional utility business models grows across the country, new leading efforts are showing results where others missed the mark.
Herman K. Trabish • July 23, 2019 -
State carbon free policies increasingly inclusive of nuclear, but resource needs federal boost
The poor economics of nuclear generation stymie investments in the private sector, making federal policy necessary.
Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2019 -
Disputed ground: The future of landfill gas-to-energy
Gas capture at landfills creates electricity and revenue, but also has economic and environmental disadvantages.
Max Witynski • July 15, 2019 -
Solar + wind + storage developers 'gearing up' as hybrid projects edge to market
A "wave" of new projects is coming to use wind, solar and battery storage in ways that will stabilize grids, increase efficiencies and lower power costs.
Herman K. Trabish • July 09, 2019 -
The new kid on the block: CCAs face credit, other challenges to lead California's renewable energy growth
Community Choice Aggregators say they will use resource diversity, distributed energy resources and load management to lead California beyond its 2030 renewables goals.
Herman K. Trabish • July 08, 2019 -
Diversifying the Northeast power mix: Is offshore wind + storage key to the region's reliability?
As more New England states roll out offshore wind mandates, bringing the technology to scale is a portfolio priority.
Herman K. Trabish • July 02, 2019 -
The rise of EVs could overwhelm the grid, but PG&E has a better plan
Stakeholders can use PG&E’s framework to see where the value lies in meeting the power demand that will come with the big shift to transportation electrification.
Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2019 -
Wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes: How utilities are preparing for a summer of storms
Man-made electric grids are no match for natural disasters, so utilities are putting increasing focus on speeding recovery times.
Robert Walton • June 06, 2019 -
'Not all batteries are made equal' — APS battery fire highlights safety risks, lack of knowledge
The recent explosion at an Arizona energy storage facility renewed concerns about battery safety, including the need to educate regulators and lawmakers, a Sonnen official said.
HJ Mai • June 05, 2019 -
Are cities the Green New Deal's most viable frontier?
New York City and Los Angeles want to put a local spin on the national version — though the plans may be tricky to replicate.
Chris Teale • June 03, 2019 -
With new transmission urgently needed, FERC Chair hints at a new Order 1000 proceeding
Only 3% of new transmission development has come through the Order 1000-mandated competitive process; developers are split on solutions, but all want federal action.
Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2019 -
Securitization fever: Renewables advocates seize Wall Street's innovative way to end coal
New laws passed across the country allow customer-backed bonds to pay off stranded coal assets in favor of renewables, but utilities are hesitant.
Herman K. Trabish • May 28, 2019 -
Want to know if California can make zero emissions by 2045? Here's what to watch
To reach a zero emissions economy, California needs to eliminate natural gas by regionalizing the Western grid and coordinating local and state system planning.
Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2019
