Generation
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Storage developer plans to bring batteries to 149 MW Texas wind portfolio in SPP territory
GlidePath says integrating battery storage in markets with a large penetration of wind resources can help prevent emergencies similar to ERCOT's two last week.
By HJ Mai • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Deep DiveWhat 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.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019 -
OpinionLCUS: A New Way to Accurately Measure Energy Storage Costs
The Levelized Cost of Using Storage method combines data into a single meaningful metric to compare different energy storage technologies.
By C. Michael Hoff and Roger Lin • Aug. 20, 2019 -
OpinionXcel needs a push to improve its grid transparency tools
Further improvements to Xcel's hosting capacity analysis and map are necessary to help Minnesota realize the full potential of DERs, including renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, writes Yochi Zakai, an attorney for IREC.
By Yochi Zakai • Aug. 20, 2019 -
New Mexico city fights for federal carbon capture funding in next move to save San Juan coal plant
Farmington, New Mexico, signed an agreement to transfer 95% of the plant's ownership from other stakeholders to a local energy company.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Deep DiveHow 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.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Wisconsin governor orders 100% carbon free by 2050, despite lack of legislative support
Gov. Tony Evers, D, signed an executive order on Friday after being unable to pass more aggressive energy policy through the state's budget.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019 -
New Mexico senator moves to impeach utility commissioners as tensions rise over San Juan closure
A legislator frustrated with what he says is politically motivated opposition to the state's comprehensive clean energy law is heightening pressure on regulators.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 16, 2019 -
NRC hints at upcoming early site determination for TVA advanced nuclear project
The Tennessee Valley Authority has not determined whether it will move ahead with the project but wants the option to locate small modular reactors at the Clinch River Site.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019 -
Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting
The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019 -
ERCOT calls 2 energy emergencies in one week, 3rd in 5 years
Warm temperatures all week meant Texas generators ran overtime to meet cooling demand, ultimately creating more unplanned outages.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019 -
Deep DiveEveryone 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.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019 -
ERCOT reserves drop below 2,300 MW, forcing Texas grid to call for energy emergency
Demand sent prices soaring and forced the grid operator to issue the emergency alert for the first time in more than five years.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveRenewables' 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.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Consumers Energy agrees to clear PURPA queue, add 584 MW renewables by 2023
The settlement will also lower the price the utility has to pay qualifying facilities under the federal law.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 13, 2019 -
New York initiative aims to eliminate conflicts between resource adequacy, clean energy goals
The Public Service Commission wants to ensure available capacity products align with the state's renewable energy and emission reduction goals, rather than unwittingly keeping afloat older and dirtier resources.
By Robert Walton • UPDATED: Aug. 13, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. -
Deep DiveHollywood'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.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019 -
First Energy Solutions accelerates closure of Pennsylvania's largest coal plant
The company says Bruce Mansfield Unit 3 is no longer economical and will be shut down in early November.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019 -
EPA moves to streamline permitting for power plant expansions, gas pipelines
One of the agency's actions aims to guarantee developers will avoid triggering New Source Review permitting if one portion of their project increases emissions, as long as those emissions are offset by a larger decrease in other parts of the project.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2019 -
Vineyard Wind shareholders commit to Mass. offshore wind project despite federal delays
With the wind investment tax credit set to sunset at the end of this year, the 800-MW project's financing could be jeopardized if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management does not speed up its final environmental impact study.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Aug. 13, 2019 at 8:43 a.m. -
Seattle mayor proposes heating oil tax to push electrification
The 24 cents-per-gallon tax would cover rebates and grants to help 3,000 homes transition to electric power.
By Jason Plautz • Aug. 09, 2019 -
Coal, nuclear could see boost in New England this winter as new tariff goes into effect
The tariff will compensate power plants such as nuclear, coal-fired and oil-fired generation, but excludes resources such as offshore wind, which the grid operator has credited for providing significant value during cold snaps.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Aug. 12, 2019 at 8:25 a.m. -
New Mexico governor wants to upend PRC as regulators skirt clean energy law
Michelle Lujan Grisham intends to speed up a legislative decision that would restructure the state's regulatory body as tensions mount over implementing New Mexico's comprehensive Energy Transition Act.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 08, 2019 -
Los Angeles County to go carbon neutral by 2050
The OurCounty plan calls for eliminating fossil fuel production and transitiioing the workforce toward clean energy.
By Jason Plautz • Aug. 08, 2019 -
Virginia rejects Dominion bid to recover environmental spending on coal units slated for shutdown
The State Corporation Commission said the $18.4 million Dominion spent on Chesterfield units 3 and 4 was not a reasonable investment, but approved a $286.8 million rate rider for enviromental costs at several other coal units.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 07, 2019
