Most Read Utility News of the Week: iPhone apps, big utilities and new lines

Utility Dive readers looked at these five news posts more than any others over the last week. Find out what you might have missed!

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 23, 2012

NorthWestern Energy seeks up to 45 MW of renewable energy

The utility is requesting proposals for energy generation that qualifies under Montana’s community renewable resource statutory requirement.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 23, 2012

The 10 biggest U.S. electric utilities visualized

Two of the three largest electric utilities right now gained their status after recent mergers.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 22, 2012

Big Rivers puts pollution-control plan aside after court kills EPA rule

The co-ops will proceed with some control plans, but will cancel plans that were primarily in place to be in compliance with the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 22, 2012

Utilities defend Michigan law and rates, say green projects made possible

Consumers Energy and DTE Energy argue that greener tech for the long-term is being made possible by a 2008 law limiting competition in Michigan's electricity market.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 22, 2012

Lucintel predicts $2,218B global electric utilities industry by 2017

The firm expects the utilities industry to grow 3.5% per year over the next five years.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 21, 2012

Gamesa to install new turbine to Minnesota wind farm

Gamesa Technology Corp.’s turbine is designed specifically for low-wind sites and will be deployed to the 36 MW Big Blue Wind Farm in Minnesota.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 21, 2012

Gas-to-Energy plant begins operation in Indiana

The renewable energy plant uses gas from landfill waster to generate electricity.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 17, 2012

U.S. remains one of the world’s largest wind markets

A 2011 Wind Technologies Market Report says the U.S. has one of the fastest growing wind markets in the world.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 16, 2012

Constellation to develop solar project for Arizona schools

The project will generate 4.35 MW of solar energy for the Casa Grande Union High School District in Casa Grande, Arizona.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 15, 2012

Geothermal development in California is slow, but steady

A panel of experts is championing future growth in geothermal development.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 14, 2012

Connecticut nuclear plant shuts down unit, warm water blamed

One of Millstone's two reactors was shut down Sunday, after water temperatures reached unacceptably high temperatures.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 13, 2012

Co-ops in 18 states to receive $420 million for upgrades

The money will be used to enhance electric service by supporting improvements to nearly 3,400 miles of lines in 18 states.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 13, 2012

Electric co-ops will be tested when handling larger data flows

The NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network (CRN) will produce a new guide to help co-ops deal with increasing grid demands.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 10, 2012

India’s grid preparedness vs. the USA's

America’s aging power grid could lead to blackout, but according to John J. Licata, lead energy strategist at Blue Phoenix Inc., such a wide scope power outage is avoidable.

By Lindsey Smith • Aug. 9, 2012

Most Read Utility News of the Week: India, Duke Energy and President Obama

Missed out on a day or two of news this week? Have a look at the most popular reads from the Utility Dive news feed.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 9, 2012

Average spot natural gas prices declined during the first half of 2012

Average spot natural gas prices in key regional markets, which reflect the wholesale price of natural gas at major trading points, declined about 38% to 49% during the first half (January 1 to June 30) of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Rising production, record end-of-winter storage...

By Lindsey Smith • Aug. 9, 2012

Can Demand Response Programs Help Meet the Renewable Energy Integration Challenge?

California's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires that, by 2020, all utilities in the state use renewables to generate at least 33 percent of the electricity provided to retail customers. Reaching this RPS target will also play a key role in determining whether or not California wi...

By Lindsey Smith • Aug. 9, 2012

Germany Added 1.8 GW of PV in June, More Than 4 GW in 2012

Almost 4.4 gigawatts (4,373.5 megawatts) of photovoltaic capacity were installed in Germany in the first half of 2012, according to new estimated numbers from the Federal Association of Energy and Water (Bundesverbandes der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft, or BDEW). It was the biggest first half...

By Lindsey Smith • Aug. 9, 2012

Guest Post: Insight Into the Grid Failure in India

The massive grid failure in India last week affected more than 600 million people. Amidst speculation on the reasons for the failure, we decided to talk to engineers working at the load dispatch centers on the ground to get a firsthand understanding of what really happened. Demand/Supply Misma...

By Lindsey Smith • Aug. 9, 2012

President Obama announces seven renewable energy projects

The solar and wind projects will be constructed in four western states – Arizona, California, Nevada, and Wyoming.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 9, 2012

Idaho regulators hear arguments between utilities and wind developers

Wind developers assert that Idaho Power is misleading ratepayers to gain support.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 8, 2012

Kissimmee Utility Authority Board Authorizes Construction of $17.2 Million Substation

To improve electric service reliability and meet the growing energy needs of its customers, the Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors on Aug. 1 approved the construction of a new $17.2 million electric substation to serve downtown Kissimmee and its business district.

By Lindsey Smith • Aug. 7, 2012

Duke Energy's 1,900 pages of messages mention merger concerns

Duke Energy turns over internal records to regulators, as the  investigation into the Progress Energy merger continues.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 7, 2012

Smart grid company Viridity Energy gets $15M from Japanese firm Mitsui

Mistui's investment in the smart grid startup will be effective upon approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 7, 2012