ComEd jumps on the demand charge train with new Illinois proposal

Residential demand charges have been most popular in the Southwest, but the Chicago-based utility features them prominently in a new legislative push.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

NRG to sell EV charging stake and revamp residential solar venture to cut costs

The steps come as NRG Energy struggles to reduce costs and raise profits.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Study: Coast Guard push to limit offshore wind development

In a new study, a working group from the Coast Guard worry offshore wind development could increase the chances of accidents and hurt shipping traffic. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2016

Tesla reports 25 MWh of storage capacity delivered in Q1 2016

A shareholder letter highlights demand for the Powerwall residential storage device and acknowledges delays in some deliveries.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

Updated: Exelon says 2 nuke plants on the line in sweeping new Illinois energy bill

The Next Generation Energy Plan, announced yesterday, would touch virtually every aspect of the state's power industry. Without it, Exelon plans to retire two challenged nuclear plants.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

NV Energy expands Green Energy Rider program to large customers

The program will now allow customers with demand of 1 MW or higher to source half or all of their electricity from solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2016

Weeks after law's passage, New Hampshire utilities near net metering cap for large solar

The ink has barely dried on a new law in New Hampshire raising net metering caps and already, one utility says it's nearly maxed out on large projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2016

GE deploys first of its latest fast-ramping gas engine in US to support renewables

The 51 MW project in Texas uses a new GE engine that can start in just minutes and is 49% efficient.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

TVA to start 2nd unit at Watts Bar nuclear plant, first new US reactor in 20 years

The Tennessee Valley Authority is also seeking information on renewable energy projects to satisfy plans for more than 5,000 MW of solar and wind.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

Hawaii lawmakers to reconcile competing proposals for renewables, storage incentives

These proposals aim to ensure low-income families could purchase distributed generation systems and a tax break for energy storage for up to 25% of the costs. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

4 drivers of solar growth utilities need to know

Record solar growth forecasted in 2016 will rely on four key themes and one unifying trend, GTM Research says.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

CA companies Verengo, Swell companies team up for residential solar-plus-storage

Verengo Solar and Swell Energy is the latest partnership aiming to penetrate the market for residential energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • May 5, 2016

Massachusetts lawmakers mull 2,000 MW offshore wind mandate

Two state lawmakers are working with developers to craft a bill that could come by the end of the month.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

SolarCity unveils new software services for utilities, grid operators

The solar developer wants to help utilities deploy fully-dispatchable renewable resources and control DERs on their systems. 

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • May 5, 2016

DOE's new $25M solar fund seeks development of distributed energy grid solutions

The ENERGISE program, part of the Department of Energy's SunShot initiative, seeks to fund grid technologies to manage high penetrations of distributed energy on utility systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2016

Dominion maps out more solar, nuclear operating license extensions in IRP

Other parts of the utility's 15-year plan call for more gas as well as a demandside management program capable of reducing peak load by 330 MW.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2016

ACC approves TEP plans for renewables, storage, but not utility-owned solar

Arizona regulators approved an expansion in renewable energy investments and two storage pilot projects, but deferred a decision on utility-owned rooftop and community solar projects to TEP's general rate case.

By Gavin Bade • May 4, 2016

Wind industry marks strongest Q1 for installations since 2012

Developers are spurred by the newly extended production tax credit, trying to snag the full PTC before it phases down. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2016

Puerto Rico energy storage project tests load shifting capabilities of hybrid batteries

An energy storage project in Puerto Rico will test the ability of hybrid batteries to shift load in response to the territory's storage mandate. 

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2016

Oklahoma utility proposes demand charges to cover distributed energy costs

Oklahoma Gas & Electric is seeking approval to change its rate structure in order to adapt to accommodate distributed resources.

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2016

Inside the deal that averted a net metering ballot showdown in Arizona

After intervention by the governor, plans for dueling ballot initiatives have given way to mediated negotiations between APS and SolarCity.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2016

Conservative groups work to chill state funding for Clean Power Plan

At least seven states have passed or are considering measures to restrict spending on Clean Power Plan efforts while the rule is locked up in the courts.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2016

At 16.4 MW, largest U.S. rooftop solar array will utilize LA muni's feed-in-tariff

The project, planned by developer PermaCity, is slated for four warehouses in the San Pedro community.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2016

Maine lawmakers fail to override LePage veto of solar incentive bill

House lawmakers voted 96-52 for the bill on Friday morning, falling two short of the necessary margin to overrule the governor. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 2, 2016

Report: Massachusetts' solar fight spiked renewable lobbying efforts

Nearly two dozen renewable companies spent $1.5 million last year lobbying for policy changes, according to the Associated Press.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2016