Co-op solar boom raises questions about coal in utility power mixes

A new report by the Rocky Mountain Institute indicates that Tri-State G&T could save its customers $600 million through 2030 by including more renewables in its energy mix, despite its current coal investments.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2018

In first, US residential energy storage overtakes front-of-meter installations

For the first time, residential energy storage outpaced front-of-meter deployments, according to a Wood Mackenzie-Energy Storage Association report.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Sonnen aims to unify all aspects of the smart home

Through its new smart energy management system, Sonnen will unite home automation, residential solar and energy storage with intelligent load control.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

APS' irrational war against renewable energy policy creates big risks for investors

Arizona Public Service's unabashed effort to dominate Arizona's politics has put it squarely in the crosshairs, and the company continues to favor gas over renewable energy, unlike many industry peers.

By David Pomerantz • Sept. 5, 2018

Ameren Missouri approved for first pilot subscriber solar program

The utility sees it as an "option for customers who do not have adequate compatible solar space or the means to support private solar generation, but want to take part in growing this renewable resource."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 5, 2018

A dangerous tipping point for New England's wholesale electricity market

The ISO, policymakers and other regulators need to develop a durable market that provides competitively-priced reliability in the region and enables states to meet their mandates, according to NEPGA president Dan Dolan.

By Dan Dolan • Sept. 5, 2018

EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2018

California's BTM energy storage moves forward, but is it good for the climate?

Legislators extended the state's self-generation incentive program, but regulators want to improve its GHG reductions.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 4, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

Arizona Supreme Court rules 50% renewables initiative will appear on ballot

A utility-backed opposition group says it will now focus on convincing customers to vote against the measure, which would set a 50% renewable portfolio standard.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

NRG completes sale of renewables platform to GIP

The deal allows NRG to shed $6.7 billion in debt and refocus on its retail electricity business. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

Get ready for sticker shock on California's last-minute clean energy proposals

The state's well-intentioned ideas aiming to advance renewable energy would unfortunately commit Californians to resource decisions for the next 10 years and limit investment in lower-cost technologies.

By Barry Moline • Aug. 31, 2018

Distributed solar saved ISO-NE consumers $20M during July heatwave, report says

Customer-sited solar in New England can reduce peak demand by up to 1 GW, according to a new analysis by Synapse Energy Economics. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Iowa to extend wind power lead as Invenergy plans 400 MW

Wind provided more than a third of Iowa's total electricity generation last year and more projects are on the way, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Oregon projects incorporate solar output insurance in financing

Hedges against solar output could help lower cost to finance projects.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2018

Two roads diverging: Pennsylvania lawmakers rethink their renewables mandate

A new plan for solar is pushing Pennsylvania lawmakers to rethink the state's energy sector and utilities are fighting for their share.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2018

Minnesota community solar hits 400 MW

While Xcel's community solar program has led the country in growth over the last few years, uncertainty in the PUC makes future development unclear.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 30, 2018

Facebook says it is 2 years away from 100% renewable energy

The social media giant announced last week it is also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 75% by 2020, but because the company continues to grow, it will need to develop new wind and solar resources.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2018

Newly-vacated hydro dam operation license creates quandry for Alabama Power

A U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated Alabama Power's license on seven of its dams, determining federal regulators did not adequately evaluate the environmental impact of the dams. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2018

Exclusive: Ohio PUC details utility reform roadmap in PowerForward initiative

The plan, a product of a year-long business model investigation, aims to create a level playing field for innovation on the utility distribution system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 29, 2018

California passes landmark 100% clean energy goal

The bill headed to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk would direct state agencies to begin planning to supply 100% of retail electricity sales with carbon-free resources by 2045.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 30, 2018

LBNL: Wind prices at record lows but future installations remain uncertain

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory expects installed wind capacity to plateau after 2021, when the resource's federal production tax credit begins to phase out.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2018

Renewables push CAISO prices lower, threaten inflexible generation

A new report finds uneven price distribution in utility-scale solar disproportionately affects baseload generation, such as coal and nuclear. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2018

Colorado approves Xcel plan to retire coal, shift to renewables and storage

The plan will see the utility retire 660 MW of coal power and invest $2.5 billion in renewable energy, part of Xcel's "steel for fuel" strategy.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

Pollinator habitats: The bees' knees of rural solar development

Pollinator-friendly solar is a blossoming trend that saves maintenance costs and makes utility-scale solar more appealing to agricultural communities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2018