Generation: Page 3
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National Petroleum Council calls for sharp increase in carbon capture subsidies
A new report ordered by former Energy Secretary Rick Perry concludes widespread deployment of carbon capture technology is "essential" to maintaining a reliable electric grid while also combating climate change.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2019 -
Dominion extends poop power push with $200M Vanguard Renewables partnership
The five projects trap methane from cow manure to create renewable natural gas offer "a new way to improve on farm economics."
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 13, 2019 -
Natural gas plant replacing Los Angeles coal power to be 100% hydrogen by 2045: LADWP
The plant would be the first of its kind to generate all hydrogen through electrolysis, or "green hydrogen."
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 12, 2019 -
Squirrels, cyberattacks, age and climate: Obama DOE official reviews top risks to US grid
While there is much attention on cyber threats and other high profile vulnerabilities, the more mundane, day-to-day risks are also very important, John MacWilliams, a former chief risk officer at DOE, said Wednesday.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 12, 2019 -
NorthWestern Energy unveils plan to buy 25% of Colstrip coal unit for $1
Utility officials noted that building a gas-fired plant with the same capacity could cost about $240 million while wind + storage "could cost several billion dollars and still not provide equivalent capacity."
By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2019 -
Self-committing coal suppressing Southwest Power Pool prices by $2/MWh, market monitor concludes
Wind and natural gas dominate market-based dispatches in SPP, while coal was the main culprit distorting the market, consistent with clean energy groups' findings in other power markets.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2019 -
Deep DiveRoad to 100: How four cities are leading the renewables revolution
Utility Dive visited four U.S. cities powered by 100% renewables, getting local insights on the political will and economic drivers that got them there.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019 -
Deep DiveRoad to 100: How Western water rights and local billionaires complicated Aspen's renewables path
Controversy over hydropower in the Mountain West politicized the city's 100% renewables goal, bringing in a wave of opposition.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019 -
New Jersey lowers price utilities pay for solar as it phases out credit program
Regulators set up a "bridge" program as the state draws down its solar credits that cap the price utilities pay for solar power. Advocates fear those caps will hinder development.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019 -
Indianapolis Power & Light announces early retirement for 2 coal units, but NGOs eye bigger target
The utility said Monday it will retire units 1 and 2 at its St. Petersburg plant, but the Sierra Club is pushing for the closure of the much bigger units 3 and 4, noting Indianapolis' renewable energy goals.
By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 10, 2019 -
Dive Awards
Project of the Year: Soleil Lofts solar+storage development
The virtual power plant outside of Salt Lake City underscores the role of utility involvement in emerging grid products.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 09, 2019 -
Dive Awards
Executive of the Year: Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power
Powell is leaving her post at the end of the year, but created a new playbook for the investor-owned utility to continue to prioritize customer choice.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 09, 2019 -
Dive Awards
The Utility Dive Awards for 2019
The annual awards highlight the biggest trends in innovation in the electric utility sector: from penciling out electrification efforts to pioneering new revenue streams for distributed resources.
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ERCOT sees brighter days ahead on system reserves despite rising peak demand
The grid operator for most of Texas says it is experiencing above-normal growth in peak electricity demand, but should head into next summer with sufficient resources to keep the lights on.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 06, 2019 -
FPL's Turkey Point first US nuclear plant to get license out to 80 years
Federal regulators extended the approved lifespan of two of the Florida facility's units until 2052 and 2053.
By Kavya Balaraman • UPDATED: Dec. 6, 2019 at 7:20 a.m. -
Dominion suspends plan to add 1.5 GW of peaking capacity as Virginia faces gas glut
The utility's decision follows reporting that it has over-forecast demand for years in order to justify natural gas additions.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Is FERC overstepping its authority and hurting renewables? States, power groups question PURPA plan
Diverse stakeholders said the commission's proposal would leave small facilities in unregulated markets at a disadvantage, while several major utilities backed their trade group in supporting the changes.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Deep DiveRoad to 100: How a demolished Kansas town became a model of DOE renewables resilience
The destruction wrought by a 2007 tornado gave the federal government an opportunity to build up a fully renewable town in a conservative part of the country.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 04, 2019 -
Renewables, legal groups challenge FERC's authority to upend PURPA
Federal regulators are proposing changes to the law for the first time since 2006. Some groups argue the move falls outside the commission's authority and will harm renewables in markets monopolized by utilities.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 04, 2019 -
In a first, natural gas group supports carbon pricing even if members 'don't get off scot-free'
BP, Shell and several members of the Natural Gas Supply Association previously supported a carbon tax, prompting a new pledge from the group, though some environmental groups criticized the lack of details.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 04, 2019 -
Regulators should 'ask tough questions about carbon capture' before closing coal: Wyoming PSC Chair
Wyoming is in a uniquely precarious position as the country's top coal producer. Its head utility regulator says ratemaking should encourage utilities to profit from carbon capture and utilization outside their rate base.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 03, 2019 -
FirstEnergy Solutions claims victory on nuke bailout referendum, but proponents push forward
The Ohio Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging a potential referendum on the state's nuclear subsidies, while a separate proceeding brought by referendum proponents is ongoing.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 03, 2019 -
OpinionToo much wind and solar raises power system costs. Deep decarbonization requires nuclear
Once wind and solar provide around 40% of a region's electric power, costs begin to rise substantially, an author of a new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology writes.
By John Reilly • Dec. 02, 2019 -
CAISO says resource adequacy order would cause market uncertainty, asks CPUC to reconsider
The system operator and other stakeholders urged regulators to "re-open the record" on an October decision clarifying the rules.
By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 27, 2019 -
Inside the fight to overhaul PURPA: What three commissioners think of FERC's proposed changes
The 1978 law — largely credited with driving the small renewables market — is facing a potential major shift, and though most regulators agree the rule should be changed, they disagree with some of FERC's mechanisms.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 26, 2019
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