Texas wind sets new records as gas, coal, nuclear generation shares decline

Strong winds, new installed capacity and low gas prices are reshaping the ERCOT generation mix.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 16, 2015

Grand Rapids, Michigan to slash building energy use 50% by 2030

Grand Rapids, Michigan is the latest city to join the 2030 District movement, partnering real estate developers and public officials in a bid to reduce energy use and emissions. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Court ruling lets EPA enforce MATS rule despite Supreme Court rejection

The Enviornmental Protection Agency will be allowed to enforce the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards while it works to fix a flaw in the cost accounting of the regulation identified by the Supreme Court. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2015

2015: A banner year for energy storage

Energy storage hit many milestones in 2015 and reached its highest level of deployment to date.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2015

AEP strikes settlement deal for Ohio plant subsidy proposal

In an abrupt turn of events, American Electric Power has reached a settlement guaranteeing income from of its nine Ohio generating units in exchange for promises to develop more wind and solar at cease coal use at other facilities.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

FirstEnergy's plant subsidy proposal could triple fixed charges, critics say

FirstEnergy's plan to guarantee income at two of its power plants includes a proposal to raise fixed charges, which opponents say will lead to higher bills and no incentive to conserve energy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

Paris climate talks end in landmark agreement

195 nations signed on to an agreement Saturday that aims to keep global temperature increases "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 14, 2015

Report: Solar, energy storage investments poised to boom in Asia

The Asia-Pacific market is emerging as a dominant market for energ storage and smart grid investments, with solar poised as fastest-growing generation resource in 2016,  according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

SunEdison signs 5 MW of storage contract with Ontario grid

SunEdison has signed a contract with Ontario's grid operator to  supply 5 MW of storage for 10 years, which is the first, large-scale, grid connected energy storage project for the company. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2015

How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Study: CCS technology four times as expensive as originally thought

The first analysis of the "energy loop" in carbon capture and storage facilities led University of Michigan analysts to conclude coal should simply be left in the ground.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

FERC: Atlantic Coast Pipeline must consider alternate routes

Federal regulators want backers of the 564-mile pipeline project to consider routes that would have less of a impact on national forests.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

EIA sees power sales steady in 2016 as C&I demand compensates for lower residential sales

The federal government sees residential retail sales dropping slightly in 2016, but increases in the commercial and industrial sectors will make up for the decline.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

Sour stocks illustrate a rough year for independent power producers

Four independent power producers have seen their stock prices tumble this year, and, according to one analyst, they are "courting irrelevance." 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

Compressed air storage mulled for site of retiring Utah coal plant

The 1,800 MW Intermountain Power Plant in Utah will be shuttered in a few years and those who buy its power are looking to energy storage for greener solutions.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

FirstEnergy's Ohio subsidy case delayed as regulators set more hearings

The utility had reached a 16-party settlement on a plan to guarantee income at a pair of Ohio power plants, but opponents say the deal raises issues that were not addressed in the original proceeding.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

The factors driving wind and solar toward grid parity

A new analysis from Deloitte shows when, where, and why renewables can be cost-competitive. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Why 'capacity will no longer be the coin of the realm' in the power sector

More renewables on the grid means new capabilities are being demanded of fossil plants, and some want renewable energy companies to pay up for the changes. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 10, 2015

Report: Michigan developing CPP compliance plan while AG pursues legal challenge

A working group with a broad list of stakeholders will be announced later this month; meanwhile, the state's attorney general is still suing to block the greenhouse gas plan.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

Nuclear industry targets 30% cost reduction by 2018 to remain competitive

Costs to generate nuclear power is up almost 30% in the last 12 years, a trend industry officials say they must change in order to remain competitive.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

RGGI carbon auction sets new record clearing price

The auction sold more than 15 million carbon dioxide allowances, clearing at $7.50/st.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

NRG, National Grid, and others commit to science-based carbon targets at Paris climate talks

The Science Based Targets initiative works with companies to set science-based emissions targets and only approves corporate targets that meet its strict criteria, with 114 companies signing on thus far. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

Entergy unmoved by NY governor's plan to support nuclear generation

Entergy remains committed to shuttering the James A. FitzPatrick plant, while Exelon said it would support Cuomo's plan.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

Report: David Crane's exit at NRG signals shift back to traditional strategy

Former CEO David Crane tried to push NRG Energy towards new technologies in the power industry. Most on Wall Street expect Mauricio Gutierrez, the company's new chief, to revert to a more traditional strategy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015