Utilities take note: Hybrid renewables projects are coming

In 2017, combinations of cost-effective renewables plus storage went online, with more due this year. And 2019 looks like a hybrid boom year.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 3, 2018

Market-based IRPs: A new paradigm for grid planning?

Instead of forecasts, utilities like Hawaiian Electric and Xcel are beginning to use real-world prices in their integrated resource plans, allowing them to better compare renewables and DERs to traditional grid investments. 

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

FirstEnergy Solutions files for bankruptcy after pushing for DOE emergency order

The move comes days after FirstEnergy asked the DOE to save all coal and nuclear plants in the PJM Interconnection using an emergency order. 

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2018

FirstEnergy asks DOE for emergency action to save PJM coal, nuke plants

The utility wants to secure cost recovery for all uneconomic PJM plants with a 25-day fuel supply, similar to a DOE proposal unanimously rejected by FERC in January.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • March 29, 2018

Kentucky utilities push back on state-ordered rate reductions

The Kentucky Public Service Commission last week ordered Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities to cut rates in response to the lower corporate tax rate.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

Xcel nuclear cost recovery bill advances in Minnesota despite governor opposing

The company operates three nuclear reactors in the state and will need to invest more than $1.4 billion to maintain them over the next two decades.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

As concern grows over bitcoin's energy use, what's next for cryptocurrency?

There are many cryptocurrencies out there, but Bitcoin is the biggest. And cities and towns where mining operations are greatly increasing energy demand are taking action.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

Bomb cyclone showed coal retirements could raise risks for grid, DOE says

DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory examines the role of fossil fuels during the bomb cyclone and sees risks to grid resilience and reliability from the loss of coal capacity.

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2018

Proposed Texas rule highlights storage's challenges in bridging competitive, regulated energy markets

Energy storage’s unique characteristics make it a difficult fit on the regulated side of Texas’ power market.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2018

Earthjustice pushes California regulators to dismiss Calpine gas plant application

Earlier this month, Calpine asked regulators to suspend its application for the 255 MW Mission Rock Energy Center, citing a lack of energy demand and changes to state policies as primary factors. 

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2018

Update: Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bill to undermine RPS ballot proposal

The measure will minimize financial penalties for utilities that fail to meet renewable energy targets, muting a ballot proposal pushing 50% renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2018

Energy groups see $1.3 trillion omnibus as repudiation of Trump priorities

The budget bill, approved by the House and Senate on Thursday, would boost clean energy funding at DOE and increase appropriations for co-ops to expand rural broadband service.

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2018

Microsoft inks largest corporate solar PPA for 315 MW project in Virginia

The company said the purchase would advance its goal of reaching 60% renewable energy for its data centers by early 2020.

By Peter Maloney • March 23, 2018

PJM greenlights FirstEnergy to deactivate coal plant units at Pleasants Power Station

The company had proposed transferring the power plant from one subsidiary to another, but regulators attached a slate of conditions FirstEnergy would not accept.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2018

On the duck's 10th birthday, here's how to keep it from eating the power system

Before anybody saw how fast solar would grow, researchers described what it would do to the grid and started working on solutions now being implemented.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 22, 2018

Duke issues climate report, charts path to reduce coal use by 2030

While the report says a zero-coal scenario is possible, the utility currently plans to trim coal use to 16% by 2030 by heavily investing in natural gas.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2018

Omnibus spending bill rejects Trump EPA, DOE cuts

EPA spending would remain stable under a Congressional budget bill released Wednesday night, while DOE clean energy funding would increase by nearly $1.5 billion.

By Gavin Bade • March 22, 2018

Virginia governor promises to veto legislation aimed at blocking carbon caps

Gov. Ralph Northam wants Virginia to be the first Southern state to cap carbon emissions, but Republicans argue his plan oversteps his authority and could lead to higher electric bills.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2018

Nearly 1/3 of planned gas peakers at risk from energy storage, GTM finds

While it could take a while to compete with existing peakers, storage costs are dropping at a rate that could start making it competitive with new peaking plants in about five years.

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2018

EIA: Gas generation dropped 7.7% in 2017 while coal declined 2.5%

The U.S. added significant wind and solar resources last year as the use of fossil fuels for power generation declined.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2018

California's dream of a regional power market faces the risks of a Trump FERC

California's proposed regional electricity market could could generate up to $1.5 billion in annual benefits and reduce GHG emissions up to 10%, but it could be subverted.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2018

Bill would bar GHG-emitting resources for Diablo Canyon replacement

Conservationists say the phase-out of California's last nuclear plant is an opportunity for green energy, and that regulators did not go far enough to ensure that progress when they approved the shutdown in January.

By Robert Walton • March 19, 2018

NERC names WECC head Robb as new CEO

Robb's appointment comes after the high-profile resignation of NERC's last CEO following an office sex scandal and family violence arrest. 

By Gavin Bade • March 19, 2018

A complicated calculus keeps the remaining coal fleet alive

The U.S. coal fleet is half the size it was 10 years ago. How are the remaining plants hanging on?

By Peter Maloney • March 19, 2018

Massachusetts governor seeks Clean Peak Standard with $1.4B bond bill

Under the proposal, electricity suppliers would need to increase the usage of clean energy during peak demand periods. Another bill sets a new storage target of 1,766 MW by 2025 and 5 GW of offshore wind by 2035.  

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2018