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

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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

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

Advocates hail passage of Massachusetts clean energy bill but want to take it further

The state's final energy bill is a watered down version of the one passed by the Senate in June.

By Peter Maloney • 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

DC Circuit tosses challenge to ISO-NE renewable energy market rules

The judges ruled that exemptions to ISO-NE's capacity market price floor that allow renewables to bid in below the minimum level are legal.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 1, 2018

How can the US reach the cutting edge of offshore wind R&D? DOE seeks input

Despite the president's rhetoric against wind power, the Energy Department is looking at how it can improve research and development, on and offshore. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 1, 2018

Energy storage could take off in Massachusetts with proposed compromise on capacity ownership

The tentative deal would allow owners of residential solar and storage facilities to retain the right to bid the resulting capacity into ISO New England's forward capacity market, if state regulators approve it.

By Peter Maloney • July 31, 2018

The shift to renewables can't wait until 2035

Cities and universities play an important role in reducing carbon emissions through sustainable energy practices. But many are baking unreasonable timelines into their plans for carbon neutrality.

By Bryce Smith • July 31, 2018

Community solar can address renewables accessibility gap, report finds

GTM Research mapped out a vision for community solar for the next few decades, encouraging states and utilities to consider low-to-moderate income households. 

By Catherine Morehouse • July 31, 2018

Idaho approves $2 billion, 1,150 MW in wind projects

The three wind facilities will be built in Wyoming as part of Rocky Mountain Power's Energy Vision 2020 plan. 

By Robert Walton • July 31, 2018