Former DOE Secretary Moniz launches energy analysis nonprofit

The Energy Futures Initiative will focus on "objective, fact-based" analysis of sector trends, former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz said last week. 

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2017

PJM: FirstEnergy's Ohio nukes not necessary to maintain grid reliability

A PJM Interconnection executive told Crain's there may be reasons to save the Davis-Besse and Perry plants, but reliability isn't one of them. 

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Montana regulators vote to cut PURPA payment rates by 40%

Regulators also trimmed contract lengths from 20 years to five years, with an option to extend for another five. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

NYSERDA announces $6.3M to commercialize storage for renewables support

The agency is looking for energy storage projects that can help advance the state's goal of obtaining 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

By Peter Maloney • June 23, 2017

Updated: New York lawmakers clear bill creating energy storage targets

The measure directs the state Public Service Commission to develop an Energy Storage Deployment Program, including a storage procurement target for 2030.

By Peter Maloney • June 23, 2017

Secretary Perry backs off budget defense, touts small nukes in hearings

After three days of budget hearings, Energy Department Secretary Rick Perry reinforced support for research spending and skepticism of climate change.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2017

API positions gas as all-purpose resource for grid reliability

The natural gas lobby believes gas is more than a traditional generation resource and can perform services like frequency response and energy storage in wholesale markets. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 23, 2017

Stop, collaborate and listen: California stakeholders want to open electric system communications

The state's utilities, DER providers and CAISO outline a new plan that would streamline communications between transmission and distribution operators and DER developers. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2017

Kemper plant could run solely on natural gas after Mississippi regulatory directive

Mississippi regulators plan to order the utility to draw up a plan for the Kemper plant that would allow the facility to run only on natural gas and limit further rate increases to customers. 

By Gavin Bade , Robert Walton • June 22, 2017

House clears bill extending nuclear production tax credit

The measure would cost $16 million over 10 years and remove the requirement that a nuclear plant must be in service by 2020 to receive the tax credit.

By Peter Maloney • June 22, 2017

Study: Merchant generation industry ‘in crisis’ across US

Low gas prices, stagnant demand and subsidized renewables are not allowing merchant generators to recover fixed costs, according to Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP and the Power Research Group.

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2017

DOE grid study deadline delayed as Perry defends budget proposal

As Secretary Perry testifies in Congress about the budget, a DOE spokesperson said the controversial grid study's release is delayed until July. 

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2017

Maui company aims for Hawaii's self-supply market with all-day storage option

HiVE Energy says its residential and commercial batteries can provide a full day of storage, making them appealing for Hawaii's non-export solar tariff. 

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2017

Perry defends proposed DOE cuts, baseload review at House hearing

The Secretary of Energy voiced support for "not just our nuclear plants but any plants able to run that baseload."

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2017

Report: Renewable energy is no threat to power reliability

The research, performed by Analysis Group, attempts to mirror a study of the United States power grid ordered by Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2017

The state of wholesale power markets: What's wrong with proposed changes in Eastern RTOs?

In part 2 of the series, Energy Innovation's Robbie Orvis and Eric Gimon critique proposals for capacity auction changes and carbon adders

By Robbie Orvis, Eric Gimon • June 20, 2017

Utility planning: Integrating distributed energy resources for a more robust future

Developing more comprehensive planning activities that accurately assess the role of DERs allows utilities to get out in front of business challenges, empowering them to capitalize on opportunity.

June 20, 2017

White paper finds customers are better off with competitive energy markets

Prices in states with competition and choice have trended downward while monopoly prices rise, writes RESA's Darrin Pfannenstiel.

By Darrin Pfannenstiel • June 19, 2017

Does the PJM capacity auction mark the end of the new-build generation cycle?

Analysts say low capacity prices could indicate the end of a plant-building boom, but there are still pockets of opportunity for generators. 

By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2017

New PJM white papers aim to integrate state power policies into wholesale markets

The grid operator is floating carbon pricing and two-part capacity auctions to help mitigate for the market impacts of renewable energy mandates and nuclear subsidies. 

By Gavin Bade , Robert Walton • June 19, 2017

New England, California could see tight spots with reliability this summer, says FERC

The agency's annual summer reliability report highlighted possible reliability concerns in regions such as California, New England and Texas. 

By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2017

Nevada governor vetoes popular RPS, community solar bills

The renewable portfolio standard would have mandated 40% renewables by 2030 and included a carveout for energy storage. 

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2017

Clean energy group: Vogtle nuke will cost $29B, should be abandoned

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy says the cost of Georgia Power's nuclear plant expansion will rise by $9 billion by the time the project is completed. 

By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2017

DOE selects 6 tech companies to help US develop exascale supercomputer

The program supports R&D in hardware technology, software technology and application development, with the goal of delivering at least one exascale-capable system by 2021.

By Justine Brown • June 16, 2017

Pruitt faces bipartisan criticism over White House plan to gut EPA

Members of a House appropriations subcommittee told EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt that proposed cuts to the agency's budget are unlikely to survive. 

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2017