Generation: Page 19


  • Row of High Voltage Power Lines under a Blue Sky on the plains of eastern Colorado.
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    Ronda Kimbrow via Getty Images
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    SPP Markets+ Western market plan sparks support, protest and concerns

    Arizona Public Service, Public Service Co. of Colorado, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and a public power trade group urged FERC to approve the day-ahead market.

    By April 30, 2024
  • Aerial View of Coal-Fired Power Station in Winter.
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    AerialPerspective Works via Getty Images
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    Coal-to-nuclear transition would benefit dozens of US regions: NASEO-NARUC report

    The authors cited data from the Energy Department, the Bipartisan Policy Center and other sources showing the economic and operational benefits, including up to 35% lower construction costs for small modular reactors.

    By Brian Martucci • April 29, 2024
  • Major Cluster Of Data Centers Inhabit Northern Virginia Explore the Trendline
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    Nathan Howard/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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
  • A wind farm in Minnesota.
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    PBouman via Getty Images
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    MISO capacity prices triple for next summer, spring, partly on power plant retirements

    Prices for Ameren Missouri and Columbia, Missouri’s municipal utility jumped to nearly $720/MW-day for the upcoming fall and spring seasons due to expected power supply shortages.

    By April 26, 2024
  • Inside Detail of Nuclear Reactor
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    E+ via Getty Images
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    NRC proposes streamlined environmental reviews for new reactor license applications

    If finalized, the proposed rule would apply to any future fission reactor application and could reduce environmental review costs by up to 45%, Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff found.

    By Brian Martucci • April 25, 2024
  • A facade of the White House in Washington, D.C.
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    Nick van Bree via Getty Images
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    EPA finalizes power plant emission rules, but utilities balk at expected need for carbon capture

    Electric utilities called the power plant rules “disappointing” and “unlawful” and say the rules will create reliability and affordability challenges.

    By April 25, 2024
  • The Lake Clementine hydroelectric dam owned by Pacific Gas & Electric in Northern California.
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    66North via Getty Images
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    PG&E highlights 100% emissions-free power in 2023 as generation spin-off hits snag

    California regulators could vote in May on a proposal to reject Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to create a separate company with 5.6 GW in non-nuclear generating assets as part of an effort to raise capital.

    By April 24, 2024
  • Pumpjack (oil derrick) and refinery plant in West Texas.
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    dszc via Getty Images
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    ERCOT launches new planning efforts as 2030 load growth projections soar 40 GW in a year

    The growth is being fueled by a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, data centers, industrial electrification, hydrogen and electric vehicles, said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas.

    By April 24, 2024
  • Energy storage for grid reliability can increase carbon emissions: University of Michigan study

    Energy storage is often pitched as a way to make renewables more reliable and reduce the use of planet-warming fuels, but researchers at the University of Michigan found that it can encourage the use of coal over gas.

    By Patrick Cooley • April 23, 2024
  • Mt. Adams, Washington, from Sherman County, Oregon.
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    Aaron Boren via Getty Images
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    APS, others plan 1-year delay in fines for Western Resource Adequacy Program capacity shortfalls

    Supply chain problems, unexpected load growth and extreme weather are challenging efforts to ensure adequate power supplies in the West, according to Avista, Calpine and other program participants.

    By April 23, 2024
  • Close-up of a tokamak fusion power reactor, generating fusion power
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    Aranga87 via Getty Images
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    Fusion will beat advanced fission to the grid: Type One Energy CEO

    “This is coming sooner than you think,” said Commonwealth Fusion Systems Chief Commercial Officer Rick Needham, who spoke alongside Type One CEO Chris Mowry at the BNEF Summit in New York last week.

    By Brian Martucci • April 22, 2024
  • Concrete cooling tower at a nuclear power plant.
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    steverts via Getty Images
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    Congressional Democrats press Treasury for ‘well-functioning’ 45U nuclear tax credit

    Six House Democrats urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to adopt flexible guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act credit, which benefits existing nuclear power facilities.

    By Brian Martucci • April 19, 2024
  • Transmission towers are shown near solar panels from the 100-megawatt MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array after it was launched on June 28, 2021, in Dry Lake Valley, Nevada.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Democratic bill mandates FERC interconnection reforms to bring new resources online faster

    The bill would help bring new power supply online to address surging demand growth and increasing grid reliability concerns, according to the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman.

    By April 18, 2024
  • A group of wind turbines and an electrical substation.
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    NanoStockk via Getty Images
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    DOE issues road map for speeding, improving grid interconnections to unlock 2.6-TW backlog

    “There is unlikely to be any document for years to come reflecting such a comprehensive set of [interconnection] solutions,” said Tyler Norris, former head of development at Cypress Creek Renewables.

    By April 18, 2024
  • Four buildings surrounded by dirt and construction.
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    Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group.

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    DOE cites cost, reliability concerns for new gas plants as it details how to meet surging power demand

    Rising electricity demand will require a portfolio of resources, including energy storage, hydropower, nuclear, grid-enhancing technologies and demand-side management, DOE said.

    By April 18, 2024
  • Rooftop solar panels at the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Deep Dive

    Tackling 3 key issues can help scale virtual power plants and spur a wave of benefits, analysts say

    Advanced operational software, communications standards and customer compensation are needed to scale VPP size and services, cut system and customer costs and enhance reliability, key VPP players agree.

    By April 17, 2024
  • Georgia Power's Plant Bowen units during a period of inactivity.
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    The image by Sam Nash is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Georgia Power receives approval to add 1.4 GW of natural gas generation

    Environmentalists are criticizing the Georgia Public Service Commission’s decision to approve the construction of new fossil fuel generation, citing cost and climate concerns.

    By April 17, 2024
  • An illustration of a NuScale Power plant layout from 1000ft view
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    Permission granted by NuScale Power
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    Deep Dive

    As states increasingly look to advanced nuclear, Wyoming, Virginia and Michigan lead the way

    Their efforts are showing policymakers elsewhere how to attract emerging nuclear technologies and the skilled workers they need to operate, National Association of State Energy Officials President David Terry said.

    By Brian Martucci • April 17, 2024
  • A row of servers at a data center.
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    Nikada via Getty Images
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    Surging demand growth spurs openings for advanced nuclear, grid technologies: DOE’s Crane

    Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law funding are supporting new technologies, he said, but the "missing link" is permitting reform. “Without permitting reform, what we are hindering is new zero-carbon energy sources.”

    By April 17, 2024
  • A power plant seen against a blue sky with an American flag in front and a sign that says "Joliet Station 7&8 Generating Station"
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Constellation, generator trade groups back PJM plan to revert to original capacity auction results

    However, Delaware and Maryland utility commissions contend the PJM plan should be rejected, telling the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission it would more than double capacity costs for ratepayers in their states.

    By April 15, 2024
  • An aerial view of a solar power plant with many rows of solar photovoltaic panels.
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    Bilanol via Getty Images
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    Grid interconnection queues jumped 27%, to 2.6 TW, in 2023, led by solar, storage: DOE lab

    Solar, battery and wind projects make up 95% of the capacity in interconnection queues, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers said Wednesday.

    By April 11, 2024
  • An artistic rendering of a building which is transitioning from fossil fuel use to renewable sources like solar panels
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    Oliver de la Haye via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Regulators: Don’t panic and rush to gas amid cries we’re out of power

    Proposing new gas plants to serve growing demand does not occur in isolation. It is a decision that implicitly rejects alternatives as either infeasible, expensive or unconsidered.

    By Mike O’Boyle and Eric Gimon • April 11, 2024
  • High voltage transmission lines in Nevada's desert.
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    Janis Janums via Getty Images
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    Pathways Initiative proposes independent power market organization for the West

    The stakeholder group aims to establish an organization free of CAISO governance to run wholesale power markets, laying the groundwork for a possible regional transmission organization.

    By April 11, 2024
  • Pumpjack (oil derrick) and refinery plant in West Texas.
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    dszc via Getty Images
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    Oklo, Diamondback Energy in talks on nuclear PPA for oil and gas operations

    The nonbinding agreement has Oklo providing 50-MW Powerhouse reactors to Diamondback’s operations for as long as 40 years.

    By Brian Martucci • April 10, 2024
  • Drone shot of a solar farm on the edge of Liberty, a small town in Randolph County, North Carolina.
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    South Carolina advances bill that could spur gas power for Duke, Dominion utilities, hamper solar

    Renewable developers EnergyRe and Pine Gate Renewables urged lawmakers to require that utilities add about 8 GW of solar from approved integrated resource plans, with offramps.

    By April 9, 2024
  • The spillway at a Bonneville Power Administration dam on the Columbia River.
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    jmoor17 via Getty Images
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    Bonneville staff backs joining SPP’s Markets+ day-ahead market over CAISO alternative

    Bonneville Power Administration staff said they preferred the Markets+ governance structure and carbon accounting over the California Independent System Operator’s day-ahead market.

    By April 5, 2024