Generation: Page 17
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CAISO seeks FERC approval to cancel 2024 interconnection study process
As it deals with an interconnection backlog, the California Independent System Operator hasn’t started studying last year’s interconnection requests, which totaled 350 GW, the grid operator told FERC on Thursday.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 9, 2024 -
PJM set to hold capacity auction in June after receiving mixed FERC decisions
FERC-approved changes to PJM’s capacity auction will likely boost capacity prices and help the grid operator acquire capacity during the energy transition, according to an ESAI Power analyst.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 9, 2024 -
EPA tightens annual soot standard as TVA, other utilities say science doesn’t back change
The agency expects almost all counties will meet the revised fine particulate matter standard, a fact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce disputed.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Opinion
Lessons from NuScale’s terminated project will help pave the way for advanced nuclear energy
The advanced nuclear innovation ecosystem remains strong, with a portfolio of public and private investments, multiple technology pathways and diverse business models.
By Judi Greenwald, Jeremy Harrell and Jessica Lovering • Feb. 6, 2024 -
FERC approves ISO-NE day-ahead reserve initiative, in boost to flexible resources
The plan will provide increased revenue to flexible resources like energy storage that can provide reserves to meet any unexpected real-time power supply needs.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Xcel proposes 3.6 GW renewables, 600 MW storage in Midwest but spurs concerns with gas plans
The new combustion turbines, part of a plan to add 2.2 GW of gas peaking capacity, “will only run when needed, meaning they’ll have very low emissions, in line with our long-term carbon goals,” an Xcel spokesperson said.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2024 -
FERC approves PJM capacity accreditation, modeling reforms aimed at boosting reliability
“PJM’s development of a new framework that seeks to assess the patterns, drivers, and probabilities of reliability risk across all hours of the year is an important advancement,” FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 1, 2024 -
2024 US power sector outlook
The U.S. clean energy transition is expected to accelerate in 2024 but faces question around transmission, financing, federal elections and other issues.
By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Entergy wins, wind developers lose with MISO, SPP transmission constraints: NBER paper
Without the constraints, two Entergy utilities would have had $930 million less in operating profits in 2022, a possible incentive to oppose new transmission, the paper said.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Opinion
The collapse of NuScale’s project should spell the end for small modular nuclear reactors
Although there were problems specific to the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems project, the financial challenges and cost trends witnessed in that case will afflict any small modular nuclear reactor.
By M.V. Ramana • Jan. 31, 2024 -
25 SMR license applications expected by 2029, plus six other takeaways from FERC, NRC joint meeting
The planned SMR units will likely be up to about 200 MW in size, an NRC official said. In addition, the agency is reviewing 19 applications to extend the operating licenses of existing nuclear plants, with more requests expected.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 26, 2024 -
Deep Dive
New solutions emerge to better integrate renewables into the grid, Xcel, Eversource and others say
Requiring the 400+ GW of battery capacity in U.S. interconnection queues to have grid-forming capabilities could enable variable renewables growth “cheaper and faster than adding new transmission,” one expert said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Utility Business Outlook: Power prices stay elevated as elections sow uncertainty for clean energy plans
For utilities and the clean energy sector, 2024 could bring “an exceptional level of volatility and opportunity,” according to Bank of America Global Research analysts.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2024 -
FERC rejects MISO interconnection queue cap, saying it could be undermined by exemptions
However, the agency on Friday approved other elements of the midcontinent grid operator’s proposal to revamp its interconnection process, such as increased milestone payments.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2024 -
FERC approves gas pipeline needed for TVA plan to shutter 2.5-GW coal-fired power plant
Replacing the Cumberland power plant with gas-fired generation will reduce carbon emissions by about 7 million metric tons a year, FERC said Thursday.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2024 -
Extreme weather shows need for dispatchable resources, new transmission: FERC commissioners
FERC Acting Chairman Willie Phillips expects the agency will issue new transmission planning and cost allocation rules in the “coming months.”
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2024 -
South Dakota PUC asks Xcel Energy to reconsider closing King, Sherco coal plants
Xcel plans to eliminate its coal-fired power generation by 2030, but regulators say they are concerned replacement resources may not be online in time.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2024 -
Texas grid holds firm through frigid temperatures, 3 demand records, 2 conservation calls
The Texas power grid is more resilient than it was in 2021, when Winter Storm Uri caused widespread blackouts and almost 250 deaths.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2024 -
US gas-fired capacity to grow, even under 95% carbon reduction scenario: NREL
Fossil-fueled power plants without carbon capture equipment would produce 14% of U.S. electricity by 2050, according to “mid-case” modeling by a DOE laboratory.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 12, 2024 -
The image by RM VM is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
FERC allows activist investor Elliott to buy up to 20% of NRG Energy stock
The decision comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering changing its policy on investment firm purchases of utility stock.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 11, 2024 -
9 US power sector trends to watch in 2024
The U.S. march toward a decarbonized electric system will continue in 2024 as policymakers and others work to balance, climate, reliability, affordability and other goals.
By Robert Walton, Ethan Howland, Diana DiGangi, Larry Pearl, Kavya Balaraman and Emma Penrod • Jan. 10, 2024 -
500K East Coast outages persist after day of storms; grid braces for coming Arctic weather
“Next week we will see the coldest air of the season push in from Canada over much of the central and eastern U.S.,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert said.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2024 -
PJM triples annual load growth forecast to 2.4% driven by data centers, electrification
The PJM Interconnection’s fastest-growing zones include ones served by Dominion Energy and FirstEnergy’s Metropolitan Edison and Jersey Central Power & Light utilities, per the grid operator’s load forecast.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 9, 2024 -
Gas plants ‘disproportionately vulnerable to failure,’ warns Union of Concerned Scientists report
Extreme temperatures threaten gas plants and electric reliability, particularly in regions where grid operators use simple methods to account for resource contributions, according to UCS.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2024 -
TVA may delay 2,470-MW coal plant shutdown over FERC pipeline inaction
A holdup in retiring the Cumberland power plant threatens the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plans to cut its carbon emissions 80% by 2035, the federal power agency said Wednesday.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2024