Renewables
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Opinion
Clean 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 -
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 -
Trendline
The Energy Transition to Renewables
New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.
By Utility Dive staff -
Opinion
Mitigating 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 -
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 -
New York finalizes contracts with 23 renewables projects totaling 2.3 GW
The solar and wind projects will provide enough power for more than 700,000 homes and will generate more than $4.7 billion in private investment, the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority said.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2024 -
11 Boston-area institutions partner on renewable energy virtual power purchase agreements
Harvard, MIT and the Mass General Brigham health system anchor the Consortium for Climate Solutions, which will help develop renewable energy projects in Texas and North Dakota.
By Brian Martucci • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Duke pauses consideration of DOE loan program with Trump election, new Congress
Given the uncertainties around future Department of Energy lending, it makes sense to delay a review of potential benefits from the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program, Duke Energy told North Carolina regulators.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Inflation Reduction Act changes ‘not a day 1 priority’ for Trump, Congress: Crux
Though a full repeal of the 2022 climate law is unlikely, a Republican-controlled legislature could repeal or phase out some of its individual provisions beginning next year, policy experts said.
By Brian Martucci • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Sponsored by Questline Digital
2025 utility marketing trends: Meeting the needs of the modern customer
As 2025 approaches, utility marketers must prepare to embrace trends in artificial intelligence (AI), hyper-convenience and energy equity to stay agile.
Dec. 2, 2024 -
Utility-scale US solar installations to surpass 32 GW for record high in 2024: ACP
“Installations in 2025 are expected to be 16% lower than in 2024, but the market will recover,” the American Clean Power Association said.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Deep Dive
EPRI, Kraken advance DER interoperability standards to boost virtual power plant deployment
“Without interoperability standards, VPPs cannot reach scalability, affordability, and reliability as soon or as efficiently as they will be needed,” said Arshad Mansoor, CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Carbon removal developers unveil first all-wind-powered direct air capture plant
Return Carbon and Verified Carbon’s “Project Concho” hub aims to remove 50,000 tons of carbon annually by 2030 and eventually remove 500,000 tons a year.
By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2024 -
2024 Elections
2024 election: US electric power sector impacts
The U.S. energy transition continues, but the shape and pace of change will be significantly impacted by the results of the federal election — for some issues more than others.
By Larry Pearl , Diana DiGangi , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Largest US pension fund CalPERS over halfway to $100B climate investment goal
CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost called the energy transition “one of the biggest investment opportunities in history” and said the fund aims to “provide the capital necessary” to help build a low-carbon economy.
By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 26, 2024 -
US clean energy investments hit record high in Q3: Rhodium
The industry saw $71 billion in investment in the quarter, as clean investments accounted for 5% of total private U.S. structure, equipment and consumer goods spending.
By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 26, 2024 -
2024 Elections
What do Trump’s picks to head Energy and Interior signal for renewables?
DOE pick Chris Wright is an investor in renewable energy and CEO of fracking giant Liberty Energy. DOI pick Doug Burgum has backed both renewable and fossil fuel generation as North Dakota's governor.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Data center stakeholders must collaborate to meet clean energy targets: Deloitte
With generative AI driving energy consumption, key players must work together to assess cooling needs and identify heat and wastewater solutions, according to the consulting firm’s report.
By Joe Burns • Nov. 21, 2024 -
First Solar hit by manufacturing issues, terminated contracts in Q3
The solar manufacturer's revenue declined 10.8% year over year as the clean energy regulatory environment remains unstable.
By Joelle Anselmo • Nov. 21, 2024 -
IRS finalizes direct pay rules, increasing access to IRA’s clean energy tax credits
Direct-pay-eligible entities like local governments, public school districts, churches and hospitals will more easily be able to jointly invest in clean energy projects under rules released Nov. 19.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Massachusetts passes clean energy legislation allowing for 30-year offshore wind contracts
The bill allocates $200 million to the state’s Offshore Wind Industry Investment Fund and will allow the state to negotiate offshore wind contracts of up to 30 years, instead of 20.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 18, 2024 -
As Trump threat to offshore wind looms, BOEM assesses 5 California areas
This marks the second time that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has performed a regional analysis over multiple lease areas owing to their proximity, the agency said.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 14, 2024 -
PNM plans to join California ISO’s day-ahead market beginning in 2027
Participating in CAISO’s planned market “is the next step in realizing the value of New Mexico’s renewable energy potential for our customers,” PNM President and CEO Don Tarry said.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2024 -
DOE earmarks nearly $150M for 67 clean tech projects at federal facilities
The Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies program grants will save a combined $41.7 million in energy and water costs annually, the Energy Department said.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Opinion
Pursuing 24/7 carbon-free energy is complex. Here’s what really matters.
For power providers to monetize the opportunity afforded by the rising demand for nonstop clean energy requires meticulous planning that considers both strategy and operations.
By Goran Vojvodic and Edo Macan • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Freyr Battery enters solar manufacturing, buys 5-GW plant from Trina Solar
Freyr will pay $340 million for the Wilmer, Texas, facility. It also plans to begin construction next year on another 5-GW solar manufacturing facility.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 7, 2024