At NARUC, three actions to support the grid of the future

A group of solar companies and advocates lay out out what utility commissioners should consider during NARUC's annual winter meeting

By Anne Hoskins; Abigail Hopper; Tom Starrs; Thomas Plagemann; Sachu Constantine • Feb. 12, 2018

APS to install 50 MW, 135 MWh solar-shifting battery

The contract with developer First Solar will allow APS to use the battery to deliver solar power when electricity use is at its peak, 3-8 p.m. each day.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Rate design for a DER future: Designing rates to better integrate and value distributed energy resources

This is the third in an occasional series from Advanced Energy Economy that addresses how the power sector can successfully transition to a 21st Century Electricity System.

By Coley Girouard • Feb. 12, 2018

Is PURPA done? New bill takes aim at law's mandatory purchase obligation

The law has been under fire for much of its 40-year history, but changes proposed in November could be the most significant yet.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 12, 2018

Utilities must ensure innovative grid technologies leave no customer behind

Broadbased benefits require regulators to commit to both getting the maximum value out of the new technologies and to ensuring that the value is available to all consumers.

By Richard Caperton and Robin Lunt • Feb. 9, 2018

Most PJM states oppose capacity repricing proposal

The grid operator, however, still plans to send the 2-part capacity auction proposal to its board for approval. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 9, 2018

Markets matter: US wind belt expands as more utilities do the math

The DOE NOPR and the tax overhaul bill initially threatened the continued growth of wind energy. But "ultimately, clean power emerged a winner on policy, again," Vestas Americas President Chris Brown writes.

By Chris Brown • Feb. 8, 2018

Energy tax credits in final budget deal

Despite previous opposition in the House, tax credits for nuclear energy, carbon capture and a variety of gas and renewable technologies are in the bill approved early Friday.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

Major DOE NOPR supporters skip rehearing requests at FERC

Coal and nuclear interests are instead looking to FERC's resilience proceeding and pricing reforms at regional grid operators to save their ailing plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

The 'small miracle' that may lead to California's net metering successor

Sooner or later, retail rate net metering must go, stakeholders agree. But solar advocates say later, while utilities say sooner, and therein hangs the tale.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2018

Energy tax credits included in Senate budget deal

Tax credit extensions for nuclear plants and a number of natural gas and renewable energy technologies are in the Senate package, but are likely to face opposition in the House.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

Court filings stave off Sabal Trail pipeline shutdown, for now

The D.C. Circuit was set to put the pipeline on hold this week, but last-minute filings from FERC and pipeline owners appear to have bought the project some time. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

China wants compensation for US solar panel tariffs as industry braces for job losses

A string of countries have started filing challenges at the World Trade Organization over a recent decision by the Trump administration to impose tariffs on solar equipment. China is the latest. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 7, 2018

AES prepares for layoffs at US utilities as part of wider restructuring effort

The energy company is pushing to shrink its carbon footprint and pivot to cleaner energy resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2018

Virginia Gov. Northam lends support to Dominion rate reform bill

The state Attorney General and consumer advocates oppose the bill, saying it would allow Dominion to charge customers twice for renewable energy projects. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 7, 2018

EIA: Low prices, rising production to boost gas generation through 2050

While natural gas grows the most on an absolute basis in EIA's projections, reaching 39% of U.S. energy production in 2050, nonhydroelectric renewable energy grows the most on a percentage basis.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2018

SMRs a 'game-changer' for troubled US nuke industry, DOE tells Congress

The U.S. nuclear industry is at a "tipping point" after years of "historic downward pressure," officials told lawmakers, but new, smaller reactive designs could be the sector's savior. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 6, 2018

FERC asks DC Circuit to delay issuing order to halt Sabal Trail pipeline

FERC wants 45 more days to finalize orders that would reinstate construction certificates for the pipeline after a court ruling threw out the agency's climate accounting for the project. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 6, 2018

Mississippi regulators approve Kemper settlement, affirming end to ratepayer recovery

The settlement, reached in December, will reduce the amount Mississippi Power can recover from ratepayers to $112.6 million. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 6, 2018

FPL's Turkey Point becomes first nuclear plant to seek second license renewal

The renewal would extend the life of the reactors for an additional 20 years, which the utility claims will save ratepayers "billions" down the road. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 6, 2018

New York could be headed for the country's most ambitious energy storage goal

With a new energy storage bill and the governor's recent announcement, New York could set a goal above 1.5 GW by 2030.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2018

FERC issues final Sabal Trail EIS, potentially avoiding hold on project

The commission could allow construction to restart with a separate order, but has yet to issue it. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 6, 2018

How leading utilities are planning for distributed energy resources

DER growth can be a blessing or a curse. New software platforms can help with preparation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 6, 2018

NextEra sues NEI after refusing to renew trade group membership

NextEra Energy and Entergy both moved to exit the nuclear trade group last month after NEI advocated for approval of a DOE coal and nuclear subsidy proposal. 

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • Feb. 5, 2018

Tesla to outfit 50K Australian homes with solar+storage for 250 MW virtual power plant

The electric car company wants to build what it calls the world's largest virtual power plant, harnessing 250 MW of solar power and 650 MWh of energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 5, 2018