MidAmerican to test concrete wind turbine tower claimed to be nation's tallest

Concrete towers can allow turbines to reach higher, accessing stronger winds and making wind viable in new regions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Despite record low solar prices, study says Austin Energy should build a new gas plant

A Navigant study assessing Austin Energy's need for new generation found a $500 million gas-fired facility makes the most economic sense even as the city forges ahead with 55% renewables goal. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Eversource, National Grid gas-reliant RFPs run afoul of state rules, greens say

Acadia Center and a group of clean energy developers want the utilities to redraft a request for proposals centered on natural gas storage and transportation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Dynegy threatens to sue if regulators approve AEP and FirstEnergy plant subsidies

Dynegy, which has its own stake in Ohio's power market, is a vocal opponent of the utility's plans to support aging coal and nuclear plants by guaranteeing their income.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 17, 2015

Vermont town mulls gas plant to replace retired Vermont Yankee nuke

The town of Vernon, where the Vermont Yankee nuclear facility was located, is considering a 600 MW gas-fired plant to replace the lost generation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Maps: 5 US regions where the grid is under threat from climate change

Climate change — if left unchecked — could put the electricity system at risk, especially in coastal areas.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 17, 2015

Sierra Club's Ameren shareholder resolution seeks 30% renewables by 2030

The environmental advocacy group had shares donated to it from a deceased member, and is using them to attempt to push the utility toward cleaner generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Time-of-use rates can shape customer usage, cut pollution and costs, experts agree

Retail electricity rates tied to hourly wholesale power market costs could shape consumer usage, executives told Platts last week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Remote Alaskan town turns to cold-weather battery microgrid as diesel alternative

The system, designed specifically for cold temperatures, will be used to reduce dependence on dirty generation and combat high electrical and fuel transportation costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2015

Minnesota Power proposal raises residential rates 14.5% to finance lower prices for industry

A new monthly charge will appear on Minnesota Power's residential energy bills in order to lower rates for major industrial customers by about 5%.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

PJM: Winter is coming, and the grid is ready

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is predicting electricity usage to be lower this winter, but the largest grid operator in the country says it will still be prepared for periods of prolonged cold and high demand. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

New York denies water use permit for Indian Point nuke in push to close plant

Those in favor of shuttering the facility say the denial of a water use permit could block the plant from operating, but Entergy says the certificate may not be necessary for relicenscing.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

Nevada on track to meet Clean Power Plan mandates, state officials say

Despite having a stringent emissions goal, Nevada officials say the state is well-positioned to meet new greenhouse gas limits.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

EIA: U.S. coal burn will remain steady in 2016 despite plant retirements

The United States is retiring a record number of coal-fired power plants, but those which remain will work overtime and keep coal consumption steady next year in light of forcasted higher gas prices. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Former FERC Chair Wellinghoff: Utility gas investments risky as energy storage prices fall

The falling prices of wind, solar and energy storage pose a real threat to utility gas investments, according to former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

AEP CEO: Clean Power Plan could be the 'catalyst' to transform utility industry

American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins said the government's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when paired with large-scale solar, could tranform the nation's power grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Stressed by falling gas and power prices, unregulated utilities get negative outlook from Moody's

The outlook for regulated utilities is stable, while unregulated power companies with coal and nuclear plants are facing significant challenges.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Moody's cuts Mississippi Power credit rating to near-junk status

The move comes after new members were elected to the Mississippi PSC, sparking concerns they will be less friendly to the utility in rate recovery proceedings for the Kemper coal facility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

NARUC 2015: How the Clean Power Plan is transforming 'baseload' generation

EPA regulations and economic forces are changing the way utilities think about baseload power.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 11, 2015

Dealing with stagnant load growth, ISO-New England turns to gas, efficiency and DERs

The region expects to lean heavily on energy efficiency and distributed resources to meet demand across the next decade.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015