Massachusetts plans efficiency, microgrid RFPs

Massachusetts plans efficiency, microgrid solicitations to push state policy.

By Ethan Howland • March 20, 2014

First Solar shifts focus to rooftop solar

First Solar plans to increasingly focus on rooftop solar projects because demand for utility-scale solar farms is dropping.

By Ethan Howland • March 19, 2014

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

Duke Energy may shut down coal plants over ash spills

Duke Energy may shut down 930-MW of coal-fired capacity in addition to long-announced plans.

By Ethan Howland • March 19, 2014

Groups blast PacifiCorp's coal power plans

Ratepayer advocates and environmental groups are urging the Oregon Public Utility Commission to withhold approval of PacifiCorp's planned investments in its coal-fired power plant fleet.

By Ethan Howland • March 19, 2014

Analysts: Tesla becoming big player in energy storage

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley analysts see Tesla Motors becoming a major player in grid storage.

By Ethan Howland • March 19, 2014

GTM: California wins solar March Madness

California and Arizona fought for the "most solar installations" championship of 2014.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

Fitch: Merchant generators under financial pressure

Merchant generators face pressure from low power and gas prices, coupled with rising environmental costs and tepid sales growth because of energy efficiency and renewable generation, according to Fitch.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

Kansas farmers oppose interstate power line project

The major power line project is designed to deliver wind power to Indiana.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

Coops urged to get on the distributed generation train

With an eye on meeting customer needs, cooperative utilities were urged to get onboard with distributed generation, especially rooftop solar at a national meeting.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

SolarCity accuses utilities of blocking solar-battery grid connections

California utilities are intentionally dragging their feet on a pilot program by SolarCity to combine rooftop solar with energy storage, according to the solar company's CEO.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

Kentucky PSC questions utilities' solar plan

Cost issues are driving the Kentucky PSC to questioning plans by Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities to build a 10-MW solar array next to a proposed 700-MW natural gas-fired plant.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

100% renewables by 2050? It's possible

A new study says getting all our power from renewables is possible. But is it doable?

By Ethan Howland • March 17, 2014

Beam me down, Scotty? Navy develops space-based solar

The U.S. Navy is developing technology to capture solar power in space and beam it to earth.

By Ethan Howland • March 17, 2014

Offshore wind project clears major legal hurdle

A federal judge rejected key arguments made by opponents to the Cape Wind offshore wind farm project Friday.

By Ethan Howland • March 17, 2014

Entergy seeks market changes to support nuclear plants

Entergy is pushing for market changes to help keep its Pilgrim nuclear plant in Massachusetts economically viable.

By Ethan Howland • March 16, 2014

ALEC-backed solar measures fail in Utah, Washington

American Legislative Exchange Council-backed bills that would have imposed fees on rooftop solar in Utah and Washington were defeated, according to a group representing solar developers.

By Ethan Howland • March 16, 2014

NRG Energy moves closer to SDG&E power deal

The California Public Utilities Commission's Thursday decision directing utilities to replace power from the retired San Onofre nuclear plant clears the way for San Diego Gas & Electric to buy power from a plant proposed by NRG Energy.

By Ethan Howland • March 14, 2014

Regulators direct California utilities to replace San Onofre with mix of resources

Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric will acquire up to 1,500 MW to replace the retired San Onofre nuclear plant under an order approved Thursday by state regulators.

By Ethan Howland • March 14, 2014

Strong runoff causes Northwest power prices to go negative

With strong runoff in the Pacific Northwest generators are paying buyers to take their power.

By Ethan Howland • March 14, 2014

Cincinnati keeps 100% green power

Cincinnati intends to keep buying 100% green power, remaining the largest city in the U.S. to buy only renewable power.

By Ethan Howland • March 13, 2014

Minnesota adopts first state-wide 'value of solar' tariff

Minnesota regulators Wednesday approved a methodology for finding the value of rooftop solar, a move that could affect the nation-wide net metering debate.

By Ethan Howland • March 13, 2014

SolarCity to sell solar panels in Best Buy

SolarCity is partnering with Best Buy to sell rooftop solar panels in the electronics stores.

By Ethan Howland • March 13, 2014

Where are utilities betting their billions?

Utility Dive looks at the three major trends that emerged from utilities' end-of-year earnings calls.

By Ethan Howland • March 12, 2014

Judge OKs NRG Energy deal to buy Edison Mission power fleet

A federal bankruptcy judge approved a plan for NRG Energy to buy nearly all of Edison Mission Energy's generating plants for $2.64 billion.

By Ethan Howland • March 12, 2014

EEI: Polar vortex shows why we need old power plants

This winter's harsh weather is a reminder that the U.S. must keep a diverse power plant fleet, according to the Edison Electric Institute.

By Ethan Howland • March 11, 2014