Litigation is the solution to state 'around market' power subsidies

FERC's technical conference revealed the divide on state power incentives is so intractable that the courts must weigh in, two WBK lawyers argue in this guest post. 

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • May 15, 2017

Panda Temple bankruptcy could chill new gas plant buildout in ERCOT market

Panda blames ERCOT’s forecasting methodology for the bankruptcy of its modern combined-cycle plant, but the market presents multiple challenges for gas generators. 

By Peter Maloney • May 15, 2017

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

California's SGIP program closes first funding round with $90M allocated

Nearly all the funding for the first step of the SGIP program was used up in the first day, with Engie and AMS winning the most money in the large-scale (over 10 kW) storage category. 

By Peter Maloney • May 15, 2017

CAISO: Wholesale power prices dropped 9% in 2016 to $34/MWh average

The 2016 power price decline foreshadows an ongoing bout of negative pricing events experienced by the California grid operator this spring.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 12, 2017

In the throes of bankruptcy, Suniva wants solar panel tariffs to shield manufacturing business

Suniva's complaint filed with the ITC could help U.S. panel manufacturers as a whole, but do wider damage to the solar industry. 

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

NRG, Calpine propose market fixes to avoid 'subversion' of ERCOT model

A new white paper from the generators blames low natural gas prices and subsidized wind for depressing energy market prices, putting pressure on thermal plants. 

By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2017

TransAlta sees 13 GW of renewable energy opportunities

The Canadian power developer is shifting away from coal and toward gas plants and renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

Wartsila adds energy storage, hybrid gas plants to its power portfolio

The power technology developer better known for thermal turbines is moving quickly into renewables and energy storage. 

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

SEC probes Sunrun, SolarCity over customer cancellations

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission began looking into the two top solar companies over whether they are adequately disclosing customer cancelations. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2017

Prognosis negative: How California is dealing with below-zero power market prices

A rainy winter and growing solar have CAISO prices going negative and renewable energy going to waste — what should policymakers do?

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2017

Maryland approves two offshore wind projects

The Maryland Public Service Commission awarded offshore renewable energy credits to two offshore wind projects after attaching 30 conditions. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2017

Storage developer Sunverge pairs up with PetersenDean for energy storage offering

PetersenDean will pair Sunverge's energy management platform with its rooftop solar arrays to help customers curtail bills and provide backup power. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2017

Hawaii PUC nixes Hawaiian Electric bid to purchase oil power plant

Hawaii regulators said the benefit to ratepayers was "marginal," particularly since the utility has to hit 100% renewables by 2045.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Michigan regulators to decide fate of Palisades nuclear contract by August

The Michigan Public Service commission held public meetings this week focusing on a plan to terminate a nuclear power purchase agreement between Consumers Energy and plant operator Entergy.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Xcel strikes grid modernization settlement with Colorado stakeholders

The utility submitted a $562 million proposal last year to upgrade its grid system and security efforts.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Virginia governor signs 11 energy bills, including solar, pumped hydro proposals

A slew of energy bills landed on the desk of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), including measures on community solar pilot projects, green development zones and rate approval for new pumped storage projects.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

CAISO updates proposed rules for demand response, energy storage

The California ISO plans to present updated station power rules and standards assessing the DR potential of aggregated customers at its late July board meeting. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

NPCC: Northeast has sufficient power supplies to meet demand this summer

Even extreme weather wouldn't amount to enough power demand to cause reliability problems, the Northeast Power Coordinating Council said in its seasonal assessment. 

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2017

Google eyes defection from NV Energy service

The tech giant asked Nevada regulators last week how to avoid exit fees if it chooses to source power from suppliers other than the incumbent utility. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

Choice in La La Land: LA County community aggregation has California utilities on full alert

Up to a million customers could shift service away from SCE, leaving the state's utilities worried about the costs of departing load.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2017

Study: Storage, renewables could replace New York's Indian Point nuke

A new study shows replacing lost capacity from Indian Point with storage and clean energy could save state ratepayers $315 million over a 5-year span. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

Report: Wind energy sets 8-year record as installations swell in Q1

A new report released by the American Wind Energy Association says the industry "switched on more megawatts in the first quarter than in the last three quarters."

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017

Boulder plans to double EV charging ports by summer

The progressive Colorado city wants to use a $100,000 grant from a nonprofit to boost the number of electric vehicles on the road. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017

California ISO preps solar-heavy grid for total eclipse this summer

CAISO expects to see a 4,194 MW reduction in solar generation during the 82-minute eclipse on August 21.

By Peter Maloney • May 8, 2017

Dominion Virginia's long-term plan targets 5.2 GW of new solar by 2042

The utility's annual Integrated Resource Plan says more than a third of its Virginia service territory will be powered with carbon-free electricity by 2032.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2017