NEI: Nuclear power industry likely set new capacity factor record in 2015

The results are still preliminary, but according to the Nuclear Energy Institute, plants around the country hit a record average capacity factor of 91.95% in 2015. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2016

Southern California Edison signs 500 MW of utility-scale solar PPAs with First Solar

The California utility renews its push for renewables in response to state’s new mandate requireing 50% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

Explore the 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

REV in 2016: The year that could transform utility business models in New York

While utilities probably won’t shift to new revenue and business models under REV this year, just how they plan to meet the goals of the groundbreaking reform initiative could become much clearer in the coming months.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 20, 2016

In AEP-Sierra Club coal plant deal, cost of additional renewables remains unknown

American Electric Power (AEP) reached a settlement last month that calls for development of 900 MW of renewable energy, but so far no one knows what it will cost.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

Southwest Power Pool study shows it can reliably manage 60% wind penetration

The grid operator needs new wires and tools to add 4,700 MW of wind by 2017, a new report shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2016

Entergy sues New York over Gov. Cuomo's push to close Indian Point nuclear plant

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) wants to close the plant because of its proximity to New York City, and Entergy believes that is the reason the state denied a necessary water permit.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

ERCOT: Wind energy provided record 45% of electricity on Dec. 20

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas maintained reliability with over 10 GW of wind energy on that day.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2016

DOE taps two new nuclear reactor designs for development funding

The federal government tapped X-energy and Southern Company Services to develop new types of nuclear reactors as a way to meet aggressive carbon reduction goals.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2016

Sumitomo begins operation of 6 MW, 2 MWh battery for PJM frequency regulation

The new project in Ohio is the first to come online operated by the Japanese corporation.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 19, 2016

Virginia water board approves Dominion plan to drain treated coal ash water into rivers

Virginia's State Water Control Board voted last week to allow millions of gallons of treated water to be dumped into the James River and Quantico Creek.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2016

Global investment in renewables hit record $328.9B in 2015 as new markets opened

Opportunity in renewables kept investors away from cheap fossil fuels, Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2016

Study: Utilities could face billion-dollar liabilities for most polluting power plants

Critics of the study, however, say legal precedent sets a high bar for any party looking to sue over a utility's carbon footprint.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2016

New York Gov. Cuomo calls for closing all coal plants in state by 2020

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) this week announced a plan for the state to cease burning coal in power plants by 2020. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2016

MISO: Clean Power Plan compliance to 2025 achievable with existing, planned plants

Redisptaching existing and already-planned generation will likely be enough to allow the Midwest grid operator to be compliant through 2025.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2016

Duke execs knew of coal ash violations for years, unsealed court documents assert

Internal company documents show Duke Energy officials knew of the coal ash violations, argues a recently-unsealed excerpt from a shareholder lawsuit. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2016

EIA: Residential sales will dip, coal retirements stabilize in 2016

The EIA's Short Term Energy Outlook predicts residential power consumption will be almost 6% lower this quarter, thanks to a mild winter compared to 2015.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2016

Obama touts clean energy growth, promises fossil fuel extraction reform in State of the Union

The president took on climate change doubters in his final State of the Union address Tuesday night and promised to reform policies allowing for the extraction of fossil fuels on federal lands. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 13, 2016

How a new business model could get the Puerto Rico public utility out of debt

The only way PREPA can save itself is to find a path to lower cost electricity, but any restructuring deal is bound up in the politics of both the island and Capitol Hill.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Dynegy offers natural gas alternative to FirstEnergy, AEP plant subsidy proposals

Dynegy has joined Exelon in attempting to undermine proposals from FirstEnergy and AEP to guarantee income at struggling coal and nuclear plants. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Arch Coal bankruptcy not expected to harm Minnesota utilities

Despite confidence in their coal supply and stores, at least one analyst says Minnesota utilities need to prepare for a future when coal deliveries are uncertain.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Oncor CEO, former Texas Gov. express concerns over Hunt plan to restructure utility

As regulators consider the proposed acquisition of Oncor Electric Delivery by Hunt Consolidated for an estimated $18 billion, lobbying is still going on in the pages of The Dallas Morning News.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Dominion Virginia Power commits $700M to solar in long-term resource plan

Virginia regulators use regulatory process to push the utility toward a bigger resource mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

EIA: Gas drives wholesale power prices lower, but coal likely retains generation lead

Increased use of natural gas for electricity generation pushed wholesale power prices significantly lower across the U.S. in 2015, but EIA says it likely hasn't yet eclipsed coal's leading role in the American fuel mix.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

West Virginia utilities mull divergent approaches to power mixes in IRPs

Four West Virginia utilities have filed integrated resource plans, making public for the first time their plans for the state's power production. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

Oregon utility developing microgrids to bid into ISO markets, enhance reliability

The Oregon Department of Energy awarded Eugene Water & Electric Board almost $300,000 for a pilot project designed to show the benefits of microgrids and energy storage. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016