Utilities' failure to plan for DER surge promises missed opportunities, increased costs, analysts say

Utilities can use skyrocketing customer-owned DER to balance rising penetrations of variable renewables on their systems, if they take on the big work of distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 24, 2019

California urges energy providers procure additional 4 GW to avoid potential shortages starting in 2021

The procurement proceeding, part of an effort to overhaul utility integrated resource planning in the state, also recommends compliance extensions necessary to keep several once-through cooling units online.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2019

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Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Inefficient coal plant scheduling cost ratepayers $3.5B from 2015 to 2017, report says

Coal-powered generation would have dropped 10% across the Midcontinent Independent System Operator region if utilities were dispatching their units based on market signals rather than self-scheduling, according to a Sierra Club report.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2019

Unpaid debts and lost grants: Co-ops struggle with 2017 tax law as Congress moves to address impacts

The "unintended consequences" from the 2017 tax law have become the "biggest policy priority" for rural electric cooperatives trying to maintain their nonprofit status.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 23, 2019

Virginia signs largest state renewable energy contract in US with 420 MW Dominion deal

The utility will deliver the energy from a 75 MW wind project and four proposed solar projects, totaling 345 MW over the next three years.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2019

Duke VP likens gas plant buildout strategy to 15-year home mortgage on path to zero carbon

How the utility will manage its gas assets in a 2040 scenario is "an accounting question ... not a technological question," and one of many perceived risks as the utility heads toward 2050, according to its Vice President of State Policy.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 18, 2019

DOE, NRC team up to accelerate deployment of advanced reactors

The capabilities of DOE's National Laboratories are being combined with regulatory expertise at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in order to accelerate the development and licensing of advanced reactors.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2019

As PPA price drops slow for wind and solar, developers see PJM, ERCOT as top markets

Wind prices rose in Q3 across several U.S. markets, and developers are increasingly feeling the pressure of declining tax credits, according to LevelTen, which also sees strong potential in MISO.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 17, 2019

Despite 'political tug-of-war,' the US 'still needs fossil fuels': DOE General Counsel

"Fossil fuels are not some kind of snake oil being sold by somebody who doesn't believe in it, to a public who doesn't want it," DOE head lawyer Bill Cooper told an audience of energy lawyers in Washington, D.C.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 17, 2019

FirstEnergy Solutions' shift on pensions paves way for bankruptcy exit

FES agreed to keep the traditional pensions of its power plant employees, rather than switch to 401Ks, prompting the federal bankruptcy judge to approve the company's restructuring plan.

By John Funk • Updated Oct. 16, 2019

Green Mountain Power turnaround driven by customer obsession, cultural shift: CEO

Mary Powell reflects on how her HR roots helped her draw systemic changes to the utility's clean energy goals while on the cusp of bankruptcy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2019

FPL settles with Walmart, clean energy groups to advance largest US community solar project

The 1,490 MW project would almost double the amount of community solar currently installed in the U.S., but renewables advocates were initially concerned the program wasn't accessible to low income customers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 15, 2019

US wind, solar finance alternatives rise as sector rushes against looming tax credit expiration

Resources are being rapidly deployed ahead of the post-2020 phase-out, but political uncertainty makes turmoil unavoidable.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2019

Clean Peaks & Polar Vortexes: Aligning climate and reliability goals in an extreme weather world

If states do not align digitization, decentralization and decarbonization policies with a fourth dimension of diversification, industry may need to take unprecedented action, the authors write.

By Brian Evans-Mongeon, Dan Kopin and Lon Huber • Oct. 14, 2019

Plugging In: Colleges seek partners to help reach energy goals

As more energy customers set goals for lower emissions, some institutions are tapping the private sector for technical expertise and financial support to advance sustainability.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 14, 2019

California, New England will miss 2050 carbon targets at current pace, reports find

California won't hit its emission reduction goals until 2157, while New England renewable additions will need to at least quadruple  from current plans.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 10, 2019

There once was a 48 MWh Tesla battery on Nantucket, which saved National Grid $120M in its budget

Pairing the eight-hour battery system with a 15 MW diesel generator, the utility avoided nearly $200 million in permitting and construction costs for an undersea transmission cable.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 10, 2019

PJM presses FERC to act by Nov. 3 on Order 841 filing detailing market participation for energy storage

The notice said the grid operator and its stakeholders need at least one month's notice to go live with a storage market participation model.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 9, 2019

FERC rejects Tri-State's proposed tariffs, stymying 1st effort at federal regulation

Environmental groups say the transmission and generation cooperative is trying to "shop around for regulators," while Tri-State maintains it is seeking more stable rates for its customers. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019

Carbon price could allay 'astounding' cost to attain New York's zero carbon target: Report

The state's power grid operator concluded that a price on carbon in wholesale markets could lower the cost to implement the state's electric sector goal for zero emissions by 2040 by $850 million.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2019

Coal-heavy Pennsylvania to join Northeast's carbon cap and trade program

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf committed the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Pennsylvania had the fourth largest CO2 emissions in the power sector in 2016.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 4, 2019

Energy Secretary Perry pulled into impeachment fray while denying reports he'll resign

House Democrats subpoenaed Perry for his involvement in Congress’ ongoing impeachment inquiry.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Oct. 11, 2019

PacifiCorp to add 7 GW renewables + storage, close 20 of 24 coal plants

The plan "doubles down" on wind resources and "identifies battery storage as part of a least-cost portfolio for the first time."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2019

As EPA preps coal ash rollback, study finds heightened risks of water, soil contamination

Industry and environmental groups have been anticipating changes to the federal rule, but a Duke University study presented to the EPA suggests health risks of the toxins may be greater than previously thought.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 3, 2019

DC Circuit rejects EPA air rule, requires tighter emission limits on power plants, other sources

While environmenal advocates hailed the court's decision, the EPA has indicated it may appeal the ruling.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2019