NRStor wins approval for 7 MWh compressed air storage project in Ontario

Developed with Hydrostor, officials say the project in a Goderich salt cave will be the first fuel-free CAES facility in the world. 

By Peter Maloney • May 15, 2017

PJM: Higher fuel costs drove up Q1 power prices

A report from the grid operator's independent market monitor says wholesale power prices in the first quarter of 2017 rose 13% higher than in 2016.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2017

California's SGIP program closes first funding round with $90M allocated

Nearly all the funding for the first step of the SGIP program was used up in the first day, with Engie and AMS winning the most money in the large-scale (over 10 kW) storage category. 

By Peter Maloney • May 15, 2017

CAISO launches initiative that could lend support to struggling generators

The California grid operator this week launched an initiative to explore how it could allow generators to take plants out of service for an extended period without mothballing or retiring them. 

By Gavin Bade • May 12, 2017

Toshiba said to be preparing for bankruptcy as Southern faces Vogtle deadline

The Wall Street Journal reports Toshiba's partners are preparing for a potential reorganization under Japanese bankruptcy laws, a claim the company denies.  

By Peter Maloney • May 12, 2017

Exelon court brief argues Illinois ZEC program is legal

The utility argues the case brought by independent generators would "preempt not only the states, but also FERC’s ability to decide how best to marry its wholesale markets with state policies."

By Gavin Bade • May 12, 2017

In the throes of bankruptcy, Suniva wants solar panel tariffs to shield manufacturing business

Suniva's complaint filed with the ITC could help U.S. panel manufacturers as a whole, but do wider damage to the solar industry. 

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

NRG, Calpine propose market fixes to avoid 'subversion' of ERCOT model

A new white paper from the generators blames low natural gas prices and subsidized wind for depressing energy market prices, putting pressure on thermal plants. 

By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2017

Updated: Nebraska utility exits contract for Sheldan coal plant

Lincoln Electric System and the plant's owner voted to dissolve the decades-old agreement. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2017

TransAlta sees 13 GW of renewable energy opportunities

The Canadian power developer is shifting away from coal and toward gas plants and renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

Wartsila adds energy storage, hybrid gas plants to its power portfolio

The power technology developer better known for thermal turbines is moving quickly into renewables and energy storage. 

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

Maryland approves two offshore wind projects

The Maryland Public Service Commission awarded offshore renewable energy credits to two offshore wind projects after attaching 30 conditions. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2017

Prognosis negative: How California is dealing with below-zero power market prices

A rainy winter and growing solar have CAISO prices going negative and renewable energy going to waste — what should policymakers do?

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2017

The next generation utility business model — what you need to know

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By Gavin Bade • May 10, 2017

Hawaii PUC nixes Hawaiian Electric bid to purchase oil power plant

Hawaii regulators said the benefit to ratepayers was "marginal," particularly since the utility has to hit 100% renewables by 2045.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Michigan regulators to decide fate of Palisades nuclear contract by August

The Michigan Public Service commission held public meetings this week focusing on a plan to terminate a nuclear power purchase agreement between Consumers Energy and plant operator Entergy.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Xcel strikes grid modernization settlement with Colorado stakeholders

The utility submitted a $562 million proposal last year to upgrade its grid system and security efforts.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Virginia governor signs 11 energy bills, including solar, pumped hydro proposals

A slew of energy bills landed on the desk of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), including measures on community solar pilot projects, green development zones and rate approval for new pumped storage projects.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

Choice in La La Land: LA County community aggregation has California utilities on full alert

Up to a million customers could shift service away from SCE, leaving the state's utilities worried about the costs of departing load.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2017

Google eyes defection from NV Energy service

The tech giant asked Nevada regulators last week how to avoid exit fees if it chooses to source power from suppliers other than the incumbent utility. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

NPCC: Northeast has sufficient power supplies to meet demand this summer

Even extreme weather wouldn't amount to enough power demand to cause reliability problems, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council said in its seasonal assessment. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

CAISO updates proposed rules for demand response, energy storage

The California ISO plans to present updated station power rules and standards assessing the DR potential of aggregated customers at its late July board meeting. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

Study: Storage, renewables could replace New York's Indian Point nuke

A new study shows replacing lost capacity from Indian Point with storage and clean energy could save state ratepayers $315 million over a 5-year span. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

Report: Wind energy sets 8-year record as installations swell in Q1

A new report released by the American Wind Energy Association says the industry "switched on more megawatts in the first quarter than in the last three quarters."

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017

Idaho Power pushes early closure of North Valmy coal plant co-owned with NV Energy

If Idaho Power gets its way, the North Valmy power plant will shut down by 2025, a decade sooner than originally planned. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017