MIT breaks nuclear fusion record in bid to unlock new clean energy sources

MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center has set a new world record for plasma pressure in its Alcator C-Mod tokamak nuclear fusion reactor. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2016

NYISO: New ISO-NE capacity rules could spike New York power prices

Allowing the Roseton 1 power plant to export capacity next summer could cost consumers more than $300 million, according to the New York ISO.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2016

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

Minnesota Power to retire pair of small coal generators

​Four units operate at the Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset and Minnesota Power will retire two of them.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2016

SPP work group mulls multi-day market to boost coal dispatch

Day-ahead markets are difficult for coal plants, which can require more than 24 hours to reach full production.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2016

Generators: New York nuclear subsidies defy FERC jurisdiction, Supreme Court decision

A group of generators filed suit against New York's plan to subsidize nuclear generation, saying it runs afoul of the Supreme Court's decision in Hughes vs. Talen Energy.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2016

Clinton endorses linking US grid to Mexico, Canada in third presidential debate

In response to a leaked transcript of the Democratic candidate calling for a "hemispheric market," Clinton replied, "I was talking about energy."

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 20, 2016

Re-regulation on the horizon? State plant subsidies point to looming 'crisis' in organized power markets

State policymakers are increasingly dissatisfied with the outcomes of deregulation and could turn back to the vertically-integrated utility model, a new report warns. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 20, 2016

Fitch: Battery technology set to disrupt oil industry, boost renewables, autos

A new report from Fitch Ratings warns of disruption from advances in battery technology, particularly in transportation. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2016

A tale of 2 Dukes: Utility, university partner on 21 MW CHP project

Duke Energy wants to own and operate a 21 MW combined heat and power project on the campus of Duke University.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2016

Wikileaks emails show Clinton defended fracking, passed on carbon tax during primary

Sen. Bernie Sanders appears to have pushed the Clinton camp on environmental policy, sparking discussions over carbon taxes, natural gas production and long-term climate goals. 

By Robert Walton, Gavin Bade • Oct. 19, 2016

DOE awards $80M for first large-scale supercritical CO2 pilot plant

The 10 MW power plant will be located in San Antonio and test the use of heated, pressurized CO2 as the working fluid in a plant turbine. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 19, 2016

DOE task force pushes new gas well designs after Aliso Canyon leak

The White House convened the task force to make safety recommendations for underground gas storage facilities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2016

Mexico grid operator considers joining western EIM

Mexico's El Centro Nacional de Control de Energia and California ISO will embark on a benefits assessment for market implementation. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2016

Will FERC toughen standards for energy M&A? What's behind the agency's market power review

FERC wants to account for incentives to exert market power, not just companies' ability to do so.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 18, 2016

West Virginia court orders EPA to track coal job losses from pollution regulations

It's not clear whether the ruling will change policy, but a U.S. District Court says the agency must consider how its regulations affect jobs in the coal and power generation industries. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 18, 2016

EIA: Hurricane Matthew interrupted power to millions, but grid largely stood firm

The storm also briefly took some nuclear plants offline, spiking outage rates.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2016

Familiar cast files against EPA's new source pollution standards at DC Circuit Court

Twenty-three states led by West Virginia filed against the EPA's pollution standards for new power plants, mirroring arguments used against the Clean Power Plan last month.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2016

California military bases start sipping Arizona solar in largest government renewables deal

The purchase is part of a larger plan under which the Navy and Marines will source 50% of their energy needs from renewables by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 18, 2016

SolarReserve proposes 2 GW concentrated solar plant with storage in Nevada

The CSP project would be the second in the U.S. with molten salt energy storage and would sell power into the California market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2016

Colder winter could spike electricity, natural gas prices for winter heating bills

The nearly half of U.S. homes that use natural gas for heating could see those bills increase up to 22% this winter.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2016

Washington energy agency overestimated carbon tax impacts on power prices

The Washington Department of Commerce now estimates a proposed carbon tax would increase power prices 5.3%, instead of a previous forecast of 20%.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2016

Analysis: Coal retirements could boost natural gas prices

A cold winter is also expected to push up natural gas demand at the beginning of 2017.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2016

Video: US Civil Rights chair Castro says utilities, EPA need to 'step up' coal ash safety

The head of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights sat down to talk about his 2016 enforcement report, focused on environmental justice and coal ash.

By Shalina Chatlani • Oct. 14, 2016

Xcel to replace 1.4 GW of coal with renewables, gas as Minnesota regulators approve IRP

Environmentalists praised most of the plan, but said new gas generation could be avoided with enhanced demand response and efficiency. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 14, 2016

Oregon utility considers biomass conversion for coal plant

In December, the utility will test the plant's capabilities in what is thought to be the largest biomass burn ever.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2016