Canadian utility buys US hydropower producer for $300M

​Ontario Power Generation will purchase Eagle Creek Renewable Energy LLC, which owns small hydropower dams across the United States.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2018

PG&E's landmark energy storage projects snagged by pushback

The CPUC extended the approval process for the four projects after critics filed comments claiming the utility did not meet regulatory criteria.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 14, 2018

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

Exit fee: Deciding the fate of California's utilities and customer choice movement

The future of California's biggest utilities may depend on how much customers have to pay to leave them. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Updated Aug. 16, 2018

Hawaii approves 18-cent/kWh solar+storage deal to power Molokai

The 4.8 MW solar facility and 15 MWh battery will provide power in the early evening to avoid competing with the island's rooftop solar systems. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2018

Nevada pushes distributed resource planning regulations ahead of ballot initiative

The Public Utility Commission proposed a rule to implement new state provisions for filing integrated resources plans, as support builds for front-of and behind-the-meter clean energy technologies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2018

Wisconsin brings energy pricing transparency into strategic assessment

After stakeholders challenged the Public Service Commission's lack of transparency regarding the state's electricity costs, the updated assessment includes more data and insight. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 10, 2018

Report: Tesla Solar Roof production delayed over product aesthetics, EV prioritization

Despite CEO Elon Musk's boasts about the installment of the undetectable renewable generating structure during Q2 calls, employees at New York's Gigafactory 2 reported production challenges and delays.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 10, 2018

Aussie apartments use blockchain energy trading to shield residents from price spikes

A housing developer in Australia has teamed up with tech company Power Ledger to offer blockchain for peer-to-peer solar power sales.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 9, 2018

Breaking into the US energy market, offshore wind developers strive to please all

Companies building regulatory and project management experience in creating offshore wind farms in the U.S. hint at a future snowball effect of projects once new channels are established and economies of scale can be reached.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 9, 2018

An offer utilities can't refuse: The low cost of utility-scale solar

A new report finds even policy uncertainties have not stopped the growing partnership between utilities and solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 9, 2018

Illinois seeks broader renewables access in updated procurement plan

The changes include ensuring all consumers, specifically those served by co-ops and munis, have access to the plan’s programs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 8, 2018

Solar growth continues in US, though EIA trims its 2019 forecast 45%

A change in methodology has led the Energy Information Administration to cut its forecast of solar power capacity additions.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 8, 2018

As second wave of state storage targets builds, utilities propose new projects

Experts are watching Arizona, Nevada and Colorado for new policies that will help develop the industry.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 7, 2018

Utility planners leverage better accuracy of DOE's renewable cost forecast tool

Users like the National Renewable Energy Lab's rigorously calculated Annual Technology Baseline for its accuracy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2018

Minnesota co-op breaks ground on first major storage projects in state

The 10 MW of solar joined with 30 MWh of batteries will be the largest combined facility owned by a U.S. co-op and is expected to save Connexus Energy $4 million a year through peak shaving. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2018

Berkeley lab challenges grid community to improve interoperability

The Plug & Play DER Challenge is a call for concepts to the smart grid community, seeking "visionary" ideas focused on improving interoperability on an increasingly-connected electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 6, 2018

How low can solar prices go? GTM predicts under $15/MWh in 2022

Solar bids could fall to $14.70/MWh in less than five years, given a perfect mix of financing and technology, according to a new analysis that also says the rate of price decline is slowing.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 6, 2018

Hawaii's new fuel price performance incentive gives HECO 'skin in the game'

A new sharing mechanism moves some risk of fuel price volatility from customers to the utility, but not everyone is convinced it will make a difference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2018

Corporate clean power purchases reach 7.2 GW, surpassing 2017 record

As more companies sign 100% renewables pledges, a Bloomberg report estimates they will need to buy another 197 TWh of clean energy by 2030. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 6, 2018

Alliant plans to eliminate coal, cut emissions 80% by 2050

Alliant Energy, which serves almost 1 million customers across Iowa and Wisconsin, said by 2030 renewables will supply almost a third of its capacity.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 3, 2018

Judge declines to block Arizona 50% renewables initiative, but risks remain

Arizonans for Affordable Energy challenged more than 75% of the signatures collected by supporters of the ballot initiative, but a judge says the court doesn't have authority to block them.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 3, 2018

Musk sees 'insane' fast growth for Tesla's energy storage business

Tesla executives predicted growth levels in 2019 of 300% to 400% for its energy storage business.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2018

Will lower cost renewables and natural gas accelerate PacifiCorp's generation transition?

A Sierra Club-commissioned study is aimed at moving PacifiCorp’s planning ahead and getting more coal "off the grid."

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 2, 2018

Massachusetts utilities file US-record offshore wind contracts at $65/MWh

If approved by regulators, utilities say the contracts would save $14/MWh compared with buying renewable energy on the open market. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 2, 2018

Recent heat wave provides stress test for US renewables integration

CAISO has called for conservation as a heat wave spiked electricity use. Like other areas of the country, the lights stayed on but also revealed weaknesses in the electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2018