Deep Dive: Page 5
Industry insights from our journalists
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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 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
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 -
Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by MBTA
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 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Hyzon
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 -
Elizabeth Regan, Industry Dive/Utility Dive
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 -
Retrieved from Pixabay on January 18, 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 -
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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 -
Retrieved from Ford on December 22, 2021
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 -
Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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 -
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‘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 -
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Pricing carbon is vital to US climate goals and politically unlikely, but there is another way, analysts say
There are two basic approaches to pricing carbon emissions, and either can work, most economists agree. Though neither is politically viable, there is a way toward them, many analysts say.
Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2021 -
Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'
Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.
Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
Northeast utilities are spending billions on resilience, and the investments are paying off
Flood mitigation and storm hardening efforts are being informed by climate models that look decades ahead.
Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
Southeast utilities confront extreme weather, new peak demand patterns to avoid Texas-style blackouts
The Texas storm was a reminder for utilities in the region, which are more familiar with summer peaking events, that extreme weather is now a year-round concern.
Jason Plautz • Nov. 8, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
'Imagine the unimaginable': How the Pacific Northwest is trying to build a reliable grid in a changing climate
Utilities and regulators are contending with changing temperatures, shifting demand patterns and a rapidly transitioning electric system.
Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 8, 2021 -
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Unlocking the Transition: Politicians tout renewable energy jobs for ex-fossil fuel workers, but it’s not so simple
Renewable energy might create new jobs for a variety of Americans, but experts say these positions don't always appeal — or just aren't available — to workers who are losing their jobs to the closure of coal mines and power plants.
Emma Penrod • Nov. 5, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
Unlocking the Transition: Biden, Congress aim to fill gap from clean electricity plan's demise
Sen. Joe Manchin's rejection of the plan has led to a scramble for potential alternatives, with a proposal by Reps. Kurt Schrader and David McKinley gaining support from major players in the utility sector.
Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 4, 2021
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