Renewables
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Constellation’s $16.4B purchase of Calpine would create largest US power generator
The combined entity would have almost 60 GW of generating capacity from zero- and low-emission sources, including nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar and batteries.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2025 -
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Fervo Energy nabs $255M to deploy carbon-free geothermal power
The Houston-headquartered energy company said the new funding would help it deploy geothermal energy to meet the “skyrocketing demand for clean, firm power.”
By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 9, 2025 -
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TrendlineSustainability
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 -
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Treasury finalizes guidance for IRA’s tech neutral, clean electricity tax credits
They’re “the most important clean energy tax credits ever enacted,” said Brad Townsend, vice president of policy and outreach at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 9, 2025 -
9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025
From rising electricity prices and demand to emerging opportunities and challenges around nuclear energy, virtual power plants, renewables and more, we’ve highlighted nine of the most important issues for the year ahead.
By Robert Walton, Ethan Howland, Diana DiGangi, Larry Pearl, Brian Martucci • Jan. 8, 2025 -
Courtesy of National Renewable Energy Laboratory, photo by Troy Boro
DOE says 90% of US wind turbines are recyclable
“Researchers estimate that up to 30% of the total U.S. recycling capacity for copper and aluminum in 2021 could be occupied by wind energy systems by 2040,” according to a Department of Energy report.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 7, 2025 -
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OpinionFrom code to current: How to keep AI data centers in check for a sustainable grid
AI doesn't have to be a burden on the grid. With thoughtful strategies and a proactive approach, we can minimize the environmental and infrastructural costs of data centers.
By Manav Mittal • Jan. 3, 2025 -
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Equinor secures $3B for Empire Wind 1 offshore wind farm
Equinor expects capital investments in Empire Wind 1 to total around $5 billion, including fees for the use of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the company said.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 2, 2025 -
Courtesy of Hanwha Group
Qcells finalizes $1.5B DOE loan guarantee for Georgia solar plant
The plant began some production last spring, with plans to start full operations in 2025.
By Joelle Anselmo • Jan. 2, 2025 -
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The IRA will deliver a fourfold return on taxpayer investment, says ACP
The Inflation Reduction Act could generate $2.7 trillion in U.S. economic benefits from 2025 to 2035, says a report commissioned by the American Clean Power Association.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 2, 2025 -
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PG&E gets $15B loan guarantee from DOE for hydropower, battery buildout
The gas and electric utility company expects the deal to close before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 19, 2024 -
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OpinionA path to equitable permitting reform: Fast-tracking clean energy while empowering communities
For a sustainable future, the U.S. must adopt a more just permitting reform model — one that accelerates clean energy projects while centering environmental justice, community engagement and resilience.
By Shriya Pai • Dec. 19, 2024 -
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Rep. Tonko introduces updated bill to boost US offshore wind
The bill is similar to legislation Tonko introduced in 2022, but with alterations including the establishment of federal offshore wind permitting goals.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 19, 2024 -
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Cambridge, Massachusetts, inks record 50 MW virtual PPA deal with MN8 Energy
It’s the largest VPPA signed by a U.S. city and the first time a city will use one to offset residential carbon emissions, according to deal broker Sustainability Roundtable.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 17, 2024 -
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5 community-scale geothermal systems to be built with $35M from DOE
The projects will demonstrate how communities can leverage energy underground to decarbonize buildings, the Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office says.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 13, 2024 -
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Meta signs quartet of solar purchase agreements with Invenergy
The four contracts are expected to provide the tech and social media giant with 760 MW of clean energy.
By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 12, 2024 -
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Biden orders up to 50% tariffs on some solar energy components from China
The duties will target critical solar energy inputs, including wafers, polysilicon and tungsten products, beginning Jan. 1.
By Philip Neuffer • Dec. 12, 2024 -
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Major US energy buyers projected to acquire 17 TWh of hourly renewable energy certificates by 2026: survey
Some 71% of large energy buyers surveyed by the Granular Certificate Trading Alliance said they plan to buy or retire granular energy certificates, but they also shared concerns about pricing and the quality of emissions data.
By Emma Penrod • Dec. 12, 2024 -
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Treasury finalizes ITC rules, providing clarity to solar, storage, other clean energy sectors
“The updates and expansion of ITC create important clarity and strong market signals to invest in a variety of energy projects in the U.S.,” said Lisa Jacobson, president of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Courtesy of Intersect Power
Google, Intersect Power to develop co-located energy parks with $20B of renewables, storage
Energy parks can provide grid services, but they face regulatory challenges, including uncertainty around the rules for co-located load, according to Energy Innovation.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 11, 2024 -
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The AI paradox: Energy-hungry technology could speed clean energy transition
“I really think the climate case for AI needs to be made,” said Neil Chatterjee, a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Gabriel Shakour via Getty Images
OpinionStepping up to achieve local climate progress despite federal headwinds
State and local action will be one of the most effective means of continuing the momentum for clean energy deployment and cost reductions.
By Darren Springer • Dec. 10, 2024 -
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OpinionClean firm generation is an important piece of the energy transition, but it’s no silver bullet
Due to the high cost of clean firm energy, it may be best considered as part of a broader generation portfolio that relies on much lower cost wind and solar most of the time.
By Michelle Solomon • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Permission granted by Bob Brewer/Unsplash
BOEM issues final federal permit for US Wind’s 2-GW Maryland offshore wind project
The wind farm will be a first for the state of Maryland and will help shore up the offshore wind supply chain, according to the Oceantic Network.
By Emma Penrod • Dec. 5, 2024 -
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OpinionMitigating price volatility: How flexible assets can strengthen renewable portfolios
Together, battery storage, gas generation and demand response provide a crucial buffer against the risks associated with renewable energy, making portfolios more adaptable and financially resilient.
By Andrew Warrell, Spencer Holmes and Tyler Bowen, McKinsey • Dec. 4, 2024 -
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Renewable energy developers urge PJM to drop fast-track interconnection plan
The PJM Interconnection’s proposed Reliability Resource Initiative, if approved, will be challenged at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and in court, the developers said.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 4, 2024
