As distributed solar expands, can utility system planning keep up?

New research shows only utilities with a lot of customer-sited solar need to pay the price of advanced forecasting, but all utilities need to plan for more solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 14, 2018

Vistra will shrink its generating portfolio before growing it, CEO says

At a June 12 analyst meeting, Curtis Morgan also said the company is looking at energy storage opportunities and criticized the Trump Administration's plans to support ailing coal and nuclear plants.

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 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

Consumers Energy to file plan for no coal, 43% renewables

The utility seeks to close its Karn coal plant and employ a barrage of grid modernization tools, demand response and efficiency to reduce demand by more than 20%.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2018

Connecticut taps Deepwater Wind to provide 200 MW offshore energy

The Revolution Wind Project is the state's first venture into offshore wind and was selected as part of a 250 MW acquisition of clean energy resources.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2018

On the bright side, report finds residential solar won't decline this year

After a 15% decline in 2017, a new report expects solar capacity additions to remain stable this year as customers get harder to find. It's "actually pretty good news," said one analyst.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2018

NV Energy 2.3-cent solar contract could set new price record

The utility's proposed power purchase agreement beats an Arizona project that GTM Research previously said was the cheapest solar contract in the nation.

By Gavin Bade • June 13, 2018

Power price plunge prompts Maine regulators to reconsider offshore wind project

The decision is a setback for the Maine Aqua Ventus project. The terms of the power contracts were agreed to more than four years ago, and prices have plummeted since.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2018

First Solar breaks ground on Ohio manufacturing plant

The factory will produce panels capable of generating 1.2 GW annually. The plant is expected to generate 500 new jobs in northwestern Ohio.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2018

Is the new California solar mandate a threat to utilities across the country?

What does California’s new solar mandate mean for the rest of the country? How will your utility turn this into an opportunity?

June 13, 2018

California looks to next steps as utilities near energy storage targets

As Golden State utilities approach 2 GW of battery capacity, lawmakers are preparing mandates for 2 GW more. 

By Peter Maloney • June 12, 2018

Activist investors push Sempra to sell renewable assets, focus on utilities and LNG

Elliott Management and Bluescape Resources, 5% owners of Sempra, say their plan could create $11 billion-$16 billion in value.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Boston mayor urges cities to join large-scale renewable energy purchase

The city has already recruited Chicago; Houston; Los Angeles; Orlando, Fla.; Portland, Ore. and Evanston, Ill. to its initiative.

By Jason Plautz • June 11, 2018

End of the 'gas rush?' Renewables, storage reaching cost parity, report finds

Portfolios of clean energy and batteries will soon be cost effective, according to a new RMI study, but $110 billion in planned natural gas investments could slow adoption.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2018

National Grid settlement curbs rate increase, ups grid mod in Rhode Island

The agreement is part of Rhode Island's power sector transformation and calls for investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage and advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Navajo coal plant nears 2019 closure with Arizona water agency decision

The agency found cheaper sources of energy and did not renew its power purchase agreement, raising the bar for a potential buyer to rescue the Navajo Generation Station.

By Peter Maloney • June 8, 2018

New solar industry initiatives could open business-utility collaborations

A 2017 spike in commercial and industrial solar growth will not last, but industry efforts to educate property owners and offer better financing could be good for businesses and utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2018

Xcel details plans to shut 660 MW coal, build 1.8 GW renewables in Colorado

The plan would raise the renewable share of the company's Colorado generating portfolio to 55% and reduce the coal share from 44% to 24%, all by 2026.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2018

New Missouri law authorizes Ameren to invest $1B, cuts rates

Missouri Senate approval of the bill last month prompted Morningstar analysts to raise Ameren's share-price valuation.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Palo Verde nuke can remain open with 50% Arizona RPS, NRDC report finds

Arizona voters in November could consider a proposal to raise the state's renewable portfolio standard to 50%. Arizona Public Service says that would force the closure of the nation's largest nuclear power plant.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

PJM region and California dominate US storage via different paths

While the two jurisdictions are dominating, other areas are rising as New York and Massachusetts implement energy storage targets.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2018

Grid mod policy actions jump 75%, with storage playing a central role

While the number of actions rose significantly from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018, they remained within the same set of 37 states, according to the latest edition of 50 States of Grid Modernization.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2018

NV Energy to double renewable capacity — if voters reject retail choice

The utility's proposal includes six new solar projects that, combined with battery storage, would add more than 1 GW of renewables to the state's portfolio.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2018

US doubles solar manufacturing, but not jobs (yet)

Job creation is not guaranteed in the sector despite an increase in domestic solar panel manufacturing, according to analysts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 31, 2018

New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal

The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

Salt River Project launches first standalone storage project

SRP is buying power from a new 10 MW battery system by an AES/Siemens venture, as it works to increase the reliability of its system and offset renewable energy installations.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018