Microsoft partners with UK nonprofit on software to help coal plants transition to nuclear power

Microsoft and TerraPraxis believe that more digital tools could help some 2,400 coal-fired power plants around the world decarbonize — and potentially transition to nuclear generation.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 16, 2022

Minnesota PUC approves Xcel Energy’s 460-MW solar project to replace Sherco coal-fired generation

Xcel expects the Inflation Reduction Act will reduce the project’s cost for ratepayers by about 30%.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 16, 2022

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

Coal plant sites could host 265 GW of advanced nuclear, costing 35% less than greenfield projects: DOE

“Repowering coal plants with advanced nuclear energy advances decarbonization while taking advantage of a local workforce,” Judi Greenwald, Nuclear Innovation Alliance executive director, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 14, 2022

IRA ‘turbocharging’ of clean energy tax credits could boost NextEra, AES, other renewable developers: S&P

Brookfield Renewable Partners, Clearway Energy and Pattern Energy Group are among other companies that also could benefit by providing electricity to make green hydrogen, S&P analysts said in a Sept. 8 report.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 13, 2022

A decade after FERC tried to tackle New England gas issues, concerns remain and solutions are uncertain

“We’re going into this winter basically crossing our fingers and hoping,” James Danly, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission commissioner, said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2022

Congress should require FERC, NERC to monitor gas pipeline capacity to ensure reliability, manufacturers say

The federal agencies should delay nuclear and coal-fired power plant retirements if the shutdowns would lead to gas pipeline constraints, the Industrial Energy Consumers of America said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 12, 2022

California planned to close down its last nuclear plant by 2025 and replace it with clean energy. What went wrong?

Efforts to replace the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant faced multiple challenges, including disruptions to global supply chains.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 9, 2022

US power sector emissions rose 7% in 2021 amid economic recovery, reversing pandemic-led drop: Ceres

Emissions are still down significantly over the past two decades, but reductions must accelerate to meet 2030 climate goals, the group said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2022

To decarbonize industry, DOE road map focuses on efficiency, electrification and low-carbon fuels

A $104 million funding opportunity for decarbonization technologies accompanied the Biden administration’s release of the comprehensive industrial strategy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2022

To boost clean energy, incentivize innovation in existing natural gas infrastructure

Eliminating access to affordable energy options like the direct use of natural gas — particularly at a time when solar and wind are not able to meet energy demand — is not a wise path forward, the author writes.

By Dave Schryver • Sept. 8, 2022

DOE moves to fund additional nuclear-coupled hydrogen projects

The agency is looking for applicants capable of designing and developing necessary infrastructure for a nuclear and hydrogen industrial energy park.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2022

Western utilities to share capacity under proposed resource adequacy program

“We can better ensure reliability by working together, and we avoid the risks and inefficiency of continuing to do it individually,” Rebecca Sexton, Western Power Pool director of reliability programs, said Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 1, 2022

Coal advocates warn NERC is underestimating plant retirements by about 68 GW, threatening reliability

Coal capacity retirements over the next nine years are expected to be “four times greater” than numbers the North American Electric Reliability Corp. is currently planning for, according to industry group America’s Power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2022

ISO New England floats ‘energy reserve’ to ensure grid reliability, access to LNG at Everett terminal

Long-term regional plans call for reducing the need for imported LNG, but for now, the Everett terminal outside Boston remains key to New England energy adequacy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2022

Clashes brew over Diablo Canyon extension plan as 40% of expected renewables fail to come online

The debate around the future of Diablo Canyon comes as California faces a combination of threats to grid reliability, including the planned retirement of a suite of natural gas plants and projected increases in electricity demand. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 29, 2022

Court places Tampa Electric on probation, orders $500K fine for fatal 2017 coal furnace accident

The utility will serve 36 months probation and implement a safety compliance plan designed by an independent third party auditor, in addition to the fine.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 29, 2022

Missouri PSC lets Algonquin Power utility securitize $290M in coal retirement, Winter Storm Uri costs

The first decision under Missouri’s new securitization law is expected to save ratepayers $65.6 million.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2022

There is a place for natural gas on a zero-carbon grid: EPRI

Carbon capture technologies could help cut the cost of decarbonization by $300 billion over the next 15 years, according to a new analysis, but critics warn the resources are expensive and unproven.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2022

US gas-fired generation set 3 daily records last month, says EIA

However, an easing of supply chain issues, growth in renewables and passage of the Inflation Reduction Act “will keep gas generation in check,” Institute for Energy Economics and Finance analyst Dennis Wamsted said.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2022

Ameren Missouri to delay retiring 1,195-MW Rush Island coal plant under MISO reliability contract

The St. Louis-based utility would delay the Rush Island power plant’s retirement from Sept. 1 to roughly mid-2025, according to an agreement filed Friday at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 22, 2022

DOE to attack CO2 emissions with billions in funding from inflation reduction, infrastructure laws

The Energy Department wants big R&D spending to have CO2 reduction tools ready by 2030, but clean energy advocates see it delivering wealth and prolonged life to fossil fuels and slowing renewables deployment.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 22, 2022

$60/MWh for advanced nuclear electricity is achievable, says GE Hitachi executive

At that price, there would be demand for about 90 GW of emerging small reactors in the U.S. by 2050, according to a recent Nuclear Energy Institute survey.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2022

Emerging small reactors projected to provide 90 GW of nuclear power to the US grid by 2050: NEI survey

Making these smaller nuclear units cost effective, and getting financial commitments from utilities, are key challenges.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • Aug. 18, 2022

New ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas must address soaring energy costs, market observers say

Vegas, currently executive vice president of NiSource, will take over leadership of the Texas grid as efforts to ensure reliability are driving customer bills higher.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2022

Xcel Energy seeks FERC approval to buy 120 MW of Minnesota wind from Allete in $216M deal

The cost for the two projects has increased under commodity price and supply chain pressures, according to Xcel.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 16, 2022