Shining light on solar: Harnessing AI to measure its social impact

When we think of protests for new energy systems, our minds initially go to fossil fuels. Rarely do solar PV (Photovoltaic) arrays come to mind.

Oct. 16, 2023

Grid operators oppose FERC conference on valuing reliability benefits of batteries, generators

Supporters of a conference on capacity accreditation approaches for grid resources include Southern California Edison, Advanced Energy United and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission chair.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2023

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

PJM, 80 parties agree to trim Winter Storm Elliott penalties

The agreement resolves 15 complaints brought by Calpine, Energy Harbor, Talen Energy and others that could have become “mega-litigation” taking years to resolve, the parties said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2023

Texas PUC begins work to attract advanced nuclear reactors, in and out of ERCOT market

“We have vertically integrated utilities in some parts of the state and they have a very attractive opportunity to participate in this space as well,” Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2023

PJM board calls for capacity market changes to bolster grid reliability, resource adequacy

The PJM Interconnection plans in mid-October to ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve revisions to its capacity market in time for its next auction.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 28, 2023

Moody’s hikes Southern, Georgia Power outlook to ‘positive’ on Vogtle progress

Georgia Power also issued a request for information as it potentially seeks at least 3.7 GW in power supplies, including storage, storage+renewables and thermal generation.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 27, 2023

Xcel Colorado proposes $15B plan to double renewables, add gas and energy storage capacity

The plan includes about 5,400 MW of solar and wind resources, more than 1,000 MW of energy storage and almost 630 MW of new gas-fired capacity.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2023

FERC to hike scrutiny of JPMorgan power sector actions after finding link to private equity firm IIF

J.P. Morgan Investment can make “virtually every major decision” for IIF, which owns El Paso Electric, nearly 5 GW of gas-fired capacity and other energy assets, FERC said last week.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2023

Record 13% of Eastern Interconnect capacity failed in Winter Storm Elliott: FERC, NERC

FERC commissioners called on Congress Thursday to name an agency for gas reliability oversight as commission and NERC staff issued cold-weather recommendations.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 22, 2023

Maryland officials press FERC to reject PJM directive to Exelon for $785M in transmission upgrades

The PJM Interconnection failed to consider energy storage and other options to handle Talen Energy’s plan to retire its Brandon Shores power plant, according to Maryland officials.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 21, 2023

Rising electrification requires a dramatic shift to integrated planning of DER, bulk resources: Xcel VP

Effective distribution system planning and merging analytic insights into comprehensive electricity planning both face barriers, analysts and stakeholders said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2023

Decarbonizing 8 industrial sectors could require more than $1 trillion capital investment: DOE

An increasingly clean electric power sector could help drop industrial emissions 15% by 2030, according to a report from the Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2023

Vistra plans to sell nearly 400 MW in PJM to ease market power fears from Energy Harbor deal

The plan to sell generating units in Ohio will accelerate the merger review process, the companies told federal regulators Monday. They plan to close the $6.3 billion deal by the end of the year.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 19, 2023

Xcel to supply United Power with excess energy after co-op’s exit from Tri-State

As Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association loses members over cost and sustainability concerns, departing utilities are working to secure alternative energy supplies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2023

DOD taps X-energy to develop enhanced design for transportable micro nuclear reactor

The Department of Defense is continuing funding for X-energy to develop a reactor design that “is ready for licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for both commercial ventures and military resiliency.”

By Larry Pearl • Sept. 15, 2023

Emerging firm and peaking clean energy tech can slash carbon-free power costs: Google

Corporate clean-energy buyers can help commercialize emerging technologies like next-gen geothermal, carbon capture and storage, advanced nuclear, hydrogen and long-duration storage, Google said.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 15, 2023

MISO: 49 GW has received interconnection approval, but projects face major delays

The roughly two-year delays in building generation and storage come as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator faces looming capacity shortfalls.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 14, 2023

Holtec International formally launches process to restart Palisades nuclear power plant

“[A]lthough we see no real obstacles ahead, re-powering of a dormant plant such as Palisades would be a feat that has never been achieved before,” Holtec International CEO Kris Singh said.

By Larry Pearl • Updated Oct. 9, 2023

As Google, Meta eye clean energy buys, researchers find widely used strategy has scant carbon benefits

Compared with annual matching, 24/7 green power procurements can drive “significant” cuts in carbon emissions and spur emerging technologies like long duration storage, Princeton University researchers found.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 13, 2023

ERCOT forced to declare emergency conditions in extreme heat as Texas flirts with blackouts

Experts say battery resources may have kept the grid operator from declaring rolling blackouts amid low renewables output and high thermal outages.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2023

Ninth Circuit largely upholds FERC PURPA reform decision affecting small solar, wind

The appeals court on Tuesday told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to assess how its decision would affect the environment but didn’t vacate the order.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2023

Facing declining membership, Tri-State offers to sell excess power

Selling excess power can “reduce cost pressures on our remaining members,” Tri-State CEO Duane Highley said in a statement.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2023

PJM, market participants reach agreement to resolve $1.8B in Winter Storm Elliott fines

The agreement potentially resolving disputes with Calpine, Energy Harbor, LS Power and others is slated to be filed with federal regulators late this month.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 5, 2023

RNG developer Terreva Renewables secures $417M in funding in first year

The private equity-backed developer has already completed four renewable natural gas projects on landfills in the United States, with more expected.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 5, 2023

As Ørsted, others seek up to 71% hike in clean energy contract prices, NYSERDA warns of rate increases

Proposals to raise offshore wind and onshore renewable energy contract prices in New York would push residential rates up by 4% a month, according to a state agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2023