NextEra's renewables backlog grows to 7.4 GW as customers anticipate lower costs

The company's record backlog includes many energy storage and solar projects slated for years in the future, as prices are expected to drop in the 2020s.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 27, 2018

Dominion targets 3 GW of wind and solar, $870M efficiency spending in grid mod plan

The utility issued the first phase of a larger plan, as directed by Virginia's Grid Transformation & Security Act, which took effect three weeks ago to reshape the state's grid.

By Robert Walton • July 27, 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

AEP cancels largest US wind project after Texas rejection

Regulators said AEP's 2 GW Wind Catcher project, planned for the Oklahoma panhandle, did not provide enough benefits to customers.

By Gavin Bade • July 27, 2018

Green groups come out against Nevada retail choice ballot measure

Groups like the Sierra Club and NRDC had been neutral on the measure to end monopoly utilities until NV Energy promised to double its renewables if the proposal is defeated. 

By Robert Walton • July 27, 2018

Los Angeles considers $3B pumped storage project at Hoover Dam

The city's municipal utility is studying the potential of using the dam as a giant pumped hydropower plant run by renewables.

By Peter Maloney • July 26, 2018

Residential storage hits new record, deploying 36MWh in Q1

Changing policies in California and Hawaii led to 74% of the nation's residential storage deployments in the past quarter, according to GTM Research and the Energy Storage Association.

By Peter Maloney • July 25, 2018

Judge scraps lawsuit against Maine wind moratorium

Renewable energy and conservation advocates tried to challenge the legality of Gov. Paul LePage's January executive order, which halts wind turbine permitting for the largest wind generation state in the Northeast.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 25, 2018

Not all bankability reports are created equal

In a new white paper, DNV GL lays out the details all reports on trackers should include.

July 25, 2018

California county brings in a ringer to champion the return of local net metering

Renova, the largest solar installer in the region, has stepped in to defend the county's new ordinance requiring Imperial Irrigation District to restart its net metering program.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2018

As California grid expansion nears finish line, hurdles only get higher

"With this bill, anything we do makes someone grumpy," said one architect of legislation to create a full Western electricity market.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 24, 2018

IPL rate deal largely avoids fixed charge hike

The utility had requested a $10 increase to fixed charges that opponents said would reduce distributed solar and harm elderly and low-income ratepayers. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 23, 2018

Western RTO could save California $1.5B per year by 2030, report says

A full regional power market could create jobs and boost renewables, but some California stakeholders worry about impacts on the state's leading environmental policies.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

Analyst: Global solar industry will contract this year

Estimates vary widely, with Goldman Sachs analysts predicting a steep decline. A rebound is expected next year.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

How can utilities prepare for the approaching electric vehicle boom?

An electric vehicle boom is coming to the U.S., are you ready?

By Glenn R. George, Ph.D. • July 20, 2018

DOE rolls out $2B loan guarantee program for renewable energy on tribal lands

Solar-plus-storage projects could be the focus of the DOE's new loan guarantee program.

By Peter Maloney • July 19, 2018

Rise of net zero energy homes could boost utility-led community solar

Modeling of new energy-efficient home developments found community solar offers system advantages not available from rooftop solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2018

Report details 'bottom-up' climate strategies for cities, states

The America's Pledge report covers 10 opportunities for climate action, including expanding renewable energy and accelerating retirement of coal power.

By Jason Plautz • July 18, 2018

Transmission line is 'game changer' for AEP's $4.5B Wind Catcher, Texas PUC chair says

Texas regulators last week honed in on ratepayer risks and benefits of the proposed 2,000 MW wind farm and 360 mile transmission line.

By Peter Maloney • July 18, 2018

APS spends $11 million to keep 50% renewables measure off ballot

The utility says it is concerned the measure would lead it to retire its Palo Verde nuclear plant early, an argument contested by environmental groups. 

By Gavin Bade • July 18, 2018

Duke nixes 500 MW wind buy over transmission cost concerns

A request for proposals for wind projects capable of supplying energy for 20 years has been abandoned, said Duke, after proposals came in at too high a cost.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2018

Has FERC's landmark transmission planning effort made transmission building harder?

An Obama-era rule to grow transmission for the power system’s transition to renewable resources has been called into question.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2018

Arizona regulators open first US transactive energy docket

Other utility reform dockets have considered elements of transactive energy, but the Arizona Corporation Commission is the first to address the issue in a specific proceeding. 

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

California regulators approve 2nd SoCal Ed pilot to test DER over gas

The state's Public Utilities Commission authorized Southern California Edison to recover the costs of 19 contracts for preferred resources, including solar+storage.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

As corporate PPAs surge, consultants aim to bring lower prices

A lack of transparency and reliance on bilateral deals could mean corporations are leaving money on the table.

By Peter Maloney • July 16, 2018

Duke region hits South Carolina net metering cap

As other utilities move toward the 2% limit on distributed energy resources, Duke Energy Carolinas will allow customers to sign up for the net metering program through the end of July.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 13, 2018