How storage will shape the future of concentrated solar power

CSP may not be the hottest topic in the solar or storage sectors, but its backers point out that it offers large scale renewable generation that is in many cases fully dispatchable.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2015

Moody's: Falling battery prices are bad news for merchant generators

Battery prices have dropped 50% since 2010, and if the slide continues, will decrease peak energy and capacity prices for independent power producers, according to Moody's Investor Services.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2015

Clean energy advocate casts doubt on data PNM used to back San Juan power plant proposal

New Energy Economy told state regulators it appears Public Service Co. of New Mexico used a "fictitious baseline" to support its operating proposal for the San Juan generating station.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2015

Newly-opened NJ offshore wind tract could yield 3,400 MW of capacity

The federal government has opened nearly 350,000 acres of ocean off the coast of New Jersey to wind development in a bid to meet President Obama's clean energy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

How to become the 'Utility of the Future?' Industry experts weigh in

The key to creating the utility of the future is combining consumer demands with emerging technology in smart grids, energy efficiency and distribution generation, experts said during the 2015 Solar Power International conference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Drought dries up PG&E hydro reservoir in northern California

The Mountain Meadows Reservoir is now little more than 5,800 acres of mud and dead fish.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Entergy brings Mississippi's first utility solar pilot project online

The 500 kW arrays will allow the utility to test solar economics and feasibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2015

AEP Ohio willing to compromise on length of coal subsidy proposal

Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, AEP Ohio President Pablo Vegas has said his company would be willing to sign power purchase agreements for a shorter length of time than requested -- the life of the plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

ERCOT: Time to build more transmission in Texas Panhandle

Growing wind generation has overwhelmed transmission line capacity built from the Texas Panhandle into the state's dense population centers.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

North Carolina mulling new nuclear for CPP compliance if litigation fails

North Carolina's chief environmental regulator has indicated the state will file a lawsuit challenging the Obama administration's greenhouse gas emissions limits, but if that fails it could turn to new nuclear plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

New Hampshire PUC staff recommends Eversource wait to sell generation

Staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission say allowing Eversource to sell its generation assets now would cost ratepayers instead of saving almost $400 million. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

Washington state begins writing stricter GHG rules for utilities, industry

The state's Department of Ecology has begun writing new rules to reduce emissions, and intends to hold hearings and take public comment over the next year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

SDG&E disrupts power to 115,000 to avoid wider blackouts

Last weekend, the California Independent System Operator directed SDG&E to immediately shed 150 MW of load.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

What's TECO's coal business worth? Possibly $0.

TECO Energy has closed on the sale of its coal mining subsidiary, and the sales agreement included no up-front payment.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

Portland General Electric could join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

PGE reportedly turned away from the Northwest Power Pool to take advantage of millions in savings being realized by the imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015

Duke Indiana reaches settlement on Edwardsport operating costs

If approved by Indiana regulators, the agreement would limit what customers would be required to pay since the plant began operation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2015

MISO: Cheap fuel, lighter loads stabilize power prices in August

Low gas prices and a mild summer helped keep August power prices stable in the Midwest, according to the region's grid operator.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2015

NRG delays plans to convert Ohio coal plant to gas

NRG Energy will add pollution controls to two coal-fired units next year instead of converting the plant to run on natural gas. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2015

Regulatory staff rejects FirstEnergy Ohio subsidy proposal

While not a final decision, the staff ruling raises more questions about the plant subsidy proposals in Ohio.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 21, 2015

Feds approve North Carolina ocean tract for offshore wind developments

The announcement puts 300,000 acres of ocean on track for lease bidding by the end of 2015.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

Atlantic Coast pipeline group requests FERC approval

Federal regulators are asked to approve a 564-mile pipeline that would move gas supplies from West Virginia into North Carolina.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2015

New study casts doubt on Massachusetts hydro plan, but governor stands firm

Allowing Massachusetts utilities to source up to one-third of their energy supply from Canadian hydropower could raise rates almost $800 million annually, according to a new report from The Analysis Group.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2015

NRG will separate renewable, fossil generation in major reorganization

Amid mounting pressure from shareholders, the power sector giant will form a new clean energy business and transfer wind assets to its yieldco.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 18, 2015

National Grid: Gas constraints lead to 21% winter rate hike

That's a big rate increase but it's not as bad as last year, the utility points out.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2015

New Hampshire PUC clears way for electric utilities to own gas pipeline capacity

Struggling with the retirement of older generation and a dearth of gas capacity, a report from staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission finds electric utilities could legally purchase space on pipelines.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2015