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

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

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

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

ZEV market entering 'new phase of development,' says 9-state coalition

A cross-section of industries is supporting the shift: Uber announced future incentives for emissions-free drivers.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2018

In Massachusetts, capacity ownership of distributed resources could determine fate of storage

Current debates over ownership and control of capacity rights associated with solar and energy storage projects could have a big impact on the trajectory of the technologies in the state.

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2018

Economic growth is decoupling from power sector carbon emissions, Ceres reports

The analysis shows that the mercury standards focused on technologies used in coal plants effectively lowered air emissions 86% from 2000 levels after going in effect in 2015.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 20, 2018

World on track for 50% renewables by 2050, says Bloomberg energy outlook

Wind and solar will provide almost 50% of the world's electricity, with hydro, nuclear and other renewables taking total zero-carbon electricity up to 71%.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

US, EU research further integrates solar and storage

An energy-storing solar cell? Medium-voltage silicon carbide inverters? Research in the United States and Europe could make harnessing solar energy more efficient and cost effective.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Vistra plans largest energy storage project in Texas

The 10 MW, 42 MWh lithium-ion battery would be located at the 200 MW Upton 2 solar plant.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Moody's goes negative on regulated utilities for first time, citing tax law impacts

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley upgraded the utilities sector to outperform, and an analyst note remarked that utility stocks are primed for defensive investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2018

SQN Capital to 'revitalize' bankrupt Suniva's solar production

The company has acquired the technology, licenses and manufacturing capacity of ​the solar panel maker and is close to determining a partner to provide the "best path to revitalizing the company."

By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018

National Grid targets 80% carbon cut across buildings, transport, power

The utility says its Northeast 80x50 Pathway strategy is consistent with state goals where it does business: New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018

100% renewable energy omnibus clears Massachusetts Senate

The package of energy bills would also remove net metering caps, increase the storage mandate and void demand charges approved earlier this year for Eversource. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 18, 2018

Trump nominates climate doubter Simmons to head DOE renewables office

Daniel Simmons used to work for the American Energy Alliance, a conservative lobbying group that advocated eliminating the DOE renewables office in 2015. 

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 2018

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

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