Siemens project to test heated rocks for large-scale, low-cost thermal energy storage

A new demonstration project in Germany will employ a 5 MW, 36 MWh storage facility attached to a steam turbine, with larger projects slated for 2019.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 12, 2016

Report: Mississippi Power's Kemper plant set for full operation in November

But regulators will hold prudency hearings after the plant comes online to determine how much of the ballooning cost will be shouldered by ratepayers. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2016

Duke to shed Latin America power assets in $2.4B deal

I Squared and China Three Gorges Corp. are the two buyers for Duke's hydro and gas plant assets. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2016

10 charts that explain America's divide on energy and climate policy

Ideology trumps science when it comes to energy and climate, and that's bad news for utility leaders. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 11, 2016

Spanish researchers explore molten silicon for more efficient solar energy storage

Molten silicon could be prove to be a cheaper and more abundant storage medium than the molten salt used in most CSP plants.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2016

Backlash grows against New York's nuclear plan as greens, consumer groups join forces

Opponents say keeping three older nuclear facilities online will cost consumers $8 billion.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2016

Calpine to double retail load in $800M deal for C&I power supplier

Noble Americas Energy Solutions is the United States' largest independent supplier of power to commercial and industrial retail customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2016

Pew: Renewable energy enjoys wide support while fossil fuels divide national opinion

The overwhelming majority of Americans support development of more wind and solar energy, but less than half want new fracking, coal mining or offshore drilling.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2016

Report: Fuel cell maker Bloom Energy quietly files IPO

The company reportedly filed a private IPO under a process sometimes used to attract interest for an acquisition. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2016

EIA: US residential electricity prices set to decline for first time since 2002

But if gas prices follow EIA projections, the trend will likely reverse next year. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 7, 2016

Duke to recycle coal ash from North Carolina plant to settle federal lawsuit

North Carolina's coal ash law requires the company to install three recycling units across the state.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2016

Developer of Two Elks carbon capture plant charged with federal fraud

Mark Ruffatto, head of the North America Power Group, has also been ordered to pay back $5.7 million of the $7.8 million in grant money received for the project. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2016

NRG Texas carbon capture plant on track to open by year end

If opened on time, the Texas CCS project would be the largest in the world.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2016

Energy Future retail, generation units emerge from bankruptcy

Luminant and TXU Energy have emerged from Chapter 11, but the regulated side of Energy Future Holdings, which includes Texas utility Oncor, is still undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2016

After EU ratification, Paris climate agreement to go into effect in November

The European Union and 10 other countries have ratified the agreement, pushing it past key thresholds to come into force.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2016

Delays add $33M to Mississippi Power's Kemper plant costs

Mississippi Power's Kemper IGCC project is delayed once again, adding another $33 billion to the project.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 5, 2016

PSEG to shutter 1.2 GW of coal-fired generation next year

The New Jersey utility plans to replace the two coal plants with natural gas-fired generation. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

Why insiders think the EPA got the best of the Clean Power Plan hearing last week

CPP opponents presented a strong case against the EPA, but legal experts say the judges are most likely to rule for the agency.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 5, 2016

EPA: Power plant emissions declined 6.2% in 2015

But electricity generation is still the largest emitter of greenhouse gas in the U.S.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

Florida Power & Light begins salt plume cleanup at Turkey Point nuclear plant

The utility is working to address a saltwater plume leaking into the Biscayne Bay after reaching an agreement with Florida environmental regulators. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

How market forces are pushing utilities to operate nuclear plants more flexibly

Nuclear plants in Europe follow load; can U.S. plants follow suit?

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

Canada plans CA$50/ton carbon tax by 2022 to meet climate goals

Starting at $10/ton in Canadian dollars in 2018, the price will rise to CA$50/ton by 2022 to meet Canada's plan to reduce carbon emissions 30% by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2016

Duke to sell some shares of Atlantic Coast Pipeline project after Piedmont deal

The company completed its acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas this week.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2016

The flaws in the utilities' push for residential demand charges

Time-based rates offer far better incentives, argue James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff in this guest post.

By James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff • Oct. 3, 2016

Power sector politics: 5 state energy races to watch this November

Solar incentives and consumer choice dominate down-ballot energy races this cycle. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016