Tesla earnings surprise includes storage, solar growth

A surprise profit sent shares soaring. Beyond vehicle sales growth and cost cutting, the company boasted record 477 MWh storage installations and rebounding solar in Q3.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2019

National Grid investment arm doubles-down on AI capabilities, but cultural change remains key

National Grid Partners' president wants the venture capital arm to stand out from other utility investment and innovation segments by requiring "culture acceleration," to fully utilize new technologies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 24, 2019

Lack of mega deals pressures quarterly utility M&A value to lowest since Q2 2017: PwC

While deal value in the North American utility sector declined to $7 billion in Q3, those deals reflect the diversity of opportunity in the energy sector, according to PwC analysis.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2019

San Jose proposes multibillion PG&E buyout. Utility says it's 'not for sale'

The mayor of San Jose, California, has proposed cities and counties buy Pacific Gas & Electric and turn it into the nation's largest publicly-owned supplier of electricity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 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

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

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

5 key takeaways from the National Grid rate case

Vote Solar partnered with the Northeast Clean Energy Council to make the interconnection process a central issue in the rate case.

By Nathan Phelps • Oct. 16, 2019

Regulators grant first federal permits for offshore wind to Dominion, Ørsted pilot

The 12 MW demo has "essentially" all the permits needed to build, and developers can double down on a lot of the stakeholder research and surveying efforts to propose plans for a 2,600 MW commercial project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • 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

PG&E power shutoff 'unacceptable': California calls for refunds, investigation and corrective action

The utility is defending the shutoff that impacted 2 million people last week, saying it "made that decision to keep customers and communities safe."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2019

Alleged National Grid management problems at 'the highest levels' prompt Massachusetts investigation

Spurred by concerns related to National Grid's electric vehicle, cybersecurity and solar programs, state regulators said they will examine the utility's strategic planning processes, staffing decisions and broad potential management issues.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2019

Avangrid and PPL talk potential $67B merger: Report

The companies are discussing a potential deal that would create one of the largest publicly traded U.S. utilities if completed, unnamed sources told the Financial Times.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 14, 2019

Ex-generals aim to shift conservative resiliency dialogue away from coal, nuclear subsidies

An energy-focused nonprofit on Thursday introduced a grid security initiative led by national security experts to promote market-based approaches to resilience.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 11, 2019

Mass shutoffs to remain a reality for PG&E as utility calls long-term DER solutions 'speculation'

The utility says its Public Safety Power Shutoff program is already "granular," and larger system improvements will take years.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 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

Powerless: PG&E loses exclusive control of bankruptcy, shuts off power to 800K

On Wednesday, high winds forced the massive outage to reduce fire risks, while a bankruptcy judge threw the company's future into uncertainty.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2019

NextEra enters the picture as Jacksonville utility targets at least $6.8B in sale

Some 16 bidders responded to JEA's invitation to negotiate, with nine making it through the first round of consideration.

By Robert Walton • Updated Oct. 15, 2019

Frito-Lay targets zero emissions at California freight hub with EVs, storage, renewables

As part of the company's goal to cut emissions 20% by 2030, Frito-Lay plans to remove and replace all diesel powered freight equipment at its Modesto, California, facility.

By Morgan Forde • Oct. 8, 2019

GE to freeze pension plans in effort to shrink deficit

In order to pare down its mounting debts, GE is taking action against the pensions of several thousand U.S. employees.

By Jane Thier • Oct. 8, 2019

PG&E announces $34.4B in debt financing heading into 2nd round of exclusivity fight

On Monday, Judge Dennis Montali will hear arguments from creditors who want to propose their own plan.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019

Hospital electrification will lead corporate renewable procurement in next 5 years: Deloitte

Interest from corporations in renewable energy creates opportunities for utilities to offer green tariff programs, Deloitte's U.S. renewable energy principal said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 3, 2019

Ford, Dow and other Michigan companies want renewable energy, so why aren't they buying more?

Green tariffs from Michigan utilities are relatively new, and most corporate customers are still exploring whether they can use these programs to meet sustainability goals while receiving competitively priced energy.

By Laura Sherman • Oct. 2, 2019

California regulators launch investigation into PG&E's reorganization plan

The California Public Utilities Commission opened a formal proceeding to consider "ratemaking and other implications" of Pacific Gas & Electric's plan to extricate itself from bankruptcy. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2019

The future of energy storage is here: An inside look at Rocky Mountain Power’s 600-battery DR project

The 12.6 MWh Utah project uses solar and battery systems as a virtual power plant.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019