First Great Lakes offshore wind project scores tentative Ohio approval

It's taken almost a decade, but Lake Erie Energy Development Co.'s Icebreaker project may be in the home stretch.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2018

Future of Minnesota Power gas plant uncertain after ALJ ruling

Administrative Law Judge Jeanne Cochran found the utility did not give enough consideration to alternatives such as wind and solar power, energy efficiency or even a small gas-fired peaking plant.

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 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

Hawaii far from 100% renewables — but running ahead of schedule, state finds

Last year, Hawaii's renewable portfolio topped 25%, far ahead of 2015's interim statutory target of 15%. Still, a large majority of the island's electricity is generated by oil.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2018

Taming the duck: Arizona Public Service seeks 106 MW storage for solar plants

APS is looking for batteries to soak up midday sun and help alleviate its duck curve problem.

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2018

Solar at New York brownfields, landfills could see boost from updated review process

The state's Department of Environmental Conservation adopted a package of rules allowing a few types of solar installations to forego further scrutiny.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 5, 2018

PG&E to replace 3 gas plants with world's biggest battery projects

The projects would eliminate the need to keep three Calpine plants running as reliability must-run resources and shore up congestion issues.

By Peter Maloney • July 3, 2018

Nevada regulators approve NV Energy's first EV infrastructure program

NV Energy partnered with the state on a joint initiative to increase access to charging infrastructure between major urban centers and to mitigate customers' range anxiety.

By Robert Walton • July 3, 2018

Let the sun shine in: New material could help turn buildings into power plants

Researchers in Michigan have developed a transparent solar cell that could allow windows to generate power, but more work is needed to increase its conversion efficiency beyond its current 0.5%.

By Peter Maloney • July 2, 2018

Sempra to sell 2.6 GW renewable portfolio, gas storage assets

The divestitures mark the start of a three-phase effort to "optimize" the company's business portfolio and come amid increasing pressure from activist investors.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2018

Missouri approves 100% renewable tariff for Ameren's large customers

The utility will need to obtain separate regulatory approval and interconnect agreements for any owned or procured renewable energy sources supporting the program.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2018

Can California avert new gas plants with distributed resources? SoCal Ed offers a test case

Regulators will soon decide between two paths regarding SCE's proposed pilot — one where DER remains secondary to natural gas and another where they move to transform the distribution system.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 28, 2018

South Carolina lawmakers decline to remove limits on solar

Developers and renewable advocates criticized state legislators for cutting the proposal from the budget bill. Major utilities in South Carolina are expected to meet the net metering cap this year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 28, 2018

Dynamic Grid Systems will rebuild a small Maine utility from the ground up

Isle au Haut, Maine, has less than 150 electric subscribers but faces the same challenges as larger utilities when it comes to integrating stable, renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2018

GE streamlines focus on renewables, gas turbines and power services

The global conglomerate is searching for the sweet spot for its gas turbine business, intending to sell its distributed power unit and its interest in oil services.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2018

Fuel cost risk sharing order for Hawaiian Electric seen as 'landmark' clean energy driver

The risk sharing between HECO and its customers is capped at $2.5 million per year to protect the utility from "significant unanticipated increases in fuel prices," while prodding it to reduce prices and fuel use.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2018

New Jersey to end solar credit program, develop alternative support

Legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in May aims to grow the state's "clean energy economy" and calls for transitioning the SREC program to a more sustainable framework.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2018

US solar industry gets boost with new IRS guidance

The much-anticipated clarification allows developers to qualify for a 30% tax credit if they can prove that they invested at least 5% of the total expected installation costs by the end of 2019.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 25, 2018

Tesla plans to pare back residential solar business, Reuters reports

Internal company documents show plans to shutter more than a dozen solar installation facilities around the country.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 25, 2018

Kauai utility moves ahead with Tesla, AES storage on road to 70% renewables

In February, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board updated the co-op's goal to 70% renewables by 2030. KIUC expects to reach it by the end of 2019.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2018

Arizona commissioner prepares to file 80% clean energy rule

Commissioner Andy Tobin said he will docket a draft version of a proposed rule by July 5, with discussion to begin at the Arizona Corporation Commission's July 19 open meeting.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2018

Projected US renewables could accelerate power price volatility — what can grid operators do?

New research shows power system prices will plunge and spike unless system operators and renewables developers focus on grid flexibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 21, 2018

Colorado regulators boost Xcel efficiency target 25%

Xcel subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado asked the PUC to keep its goal steady at 400 GWh of annual reductions, but regulators are convinced the utility can do more.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2018

Republicans tout tax law success in hearing on energy sector impacts

While Republican witnesses cited increased wages, capital expenditures and company growth from the recent changes to the tax code, the lone Democrat witness said the bulk of the benefits are bypassing the middle class.

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2018

Microsoft has big power needs and wants to harness the ocean to satisfy them

Cloud vendors are already using wind and solar solutions to conserve energy consumed by their servers. The next frontier, however, is in the ocean's waves. 

By Samantha Schwartz • June 21, 2018

DOE: Puerto Rico has plenty of options for new generation

A new report on options for rebuilding the island's grid recommends considering a wide range of renewables and alternative fuels, an expansion of liquefied natural gas imports, microgrids and energy storage.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2018