Sierra Club's Ameren shareholder resolution seeks 30% renewables by 2030

The environmental advocacy group had shares donated to it from a deceased member, and is using them to attempt to push the utility toward cleaner generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Remote Alaskan town turns to cold-weather battery microgrid as diesel alternative

The system, designed specifically for cold temperatures, will be used to reduce dependence on dirty generation and combat high electrical and fuel transportation costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Rocky Mtn Power will compare cost to serve solar customers before fixed charge decision

Utah regulators want more information on the costs and benefits of distributed generation before a decision on fixed charges. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 16, 2015

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Utilities spend $2.3M backing Florida solar initiative against 3rd party sales

Two groups are battling to put competing solar policy initiatives on Florida's ballot next November, with the utility-backed side raising millions more than the other side in October. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

TPO showdown: Duke faces off against greens over NC church's solar array

NC WARN is testing the limits of North Carolina third party ownership law and Duke wants to put a stop to it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Mississippi's three largest solar projects get regulatory approval

The three projects would total 105 MW when complete.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

California water agency to use Tesla battery to slash peak demand by up to 14%

The utility plans to go "'gridless' by 2020 with almost no capital outlay."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

Republican lawmakers ask FERC to rethink PURPA

Three influential legislators say the law is forcing utilities to buy renewables at high rates.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

Dealing with stagnant load growth, ISO-New England turns to gas, efficiency and DERs

The region expects to lean heavily on energy efficiency and distributed resources to meet demand across the next decade.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Feds grant two offshore wind leases off New Jersey coast

Wind developers U.S. Wind Inc. and RES Americas Development won the auction to develop nearly 344,000 water acres.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 11, 2015

Trade groups SEPA and ADS are merging to focus on DERs

Industry trade groups Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid (ADS) join up to expand SEPA's focus to include other smart-grid technologies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 10, 2015

Coming soon to affordable housing: Solar-plus-storage?

Combining solar and storage at affordable housing projects can pay for itself if the conditions are right, according to a new report.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 10, 2015

Researchers identify new storage tech for concentrated solar power plants

Researchers in Oregon and Florida have identified a storage medium that could widen the reach of concentrated solar power projects.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 10, 2015

TXU Energy launches new solar financing venture for customers

The electricity retailer has teamed up with SunPower to offer customers "affordable financing options" for rooftop solar.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

Texas wind power is so cheap, electricity providers are giving it away

More than 50 power providers in Texas have offered consumers a good deal in the past three years thanks to cheap wind power having no place to go: Free electricity.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

Judge allows SolarCity lawsuit against Arizona utility SRP to move forward

An Arizona federal judge threw out SolarCity's claims for monetary damages and non-monetary relief but ruled that the lawsuit can proceed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

DOE approves $1.2B transmission line for Canadian wind and hydro

The transmission line expected to import 1,000 MW of Canadian wind and hydro power to New England nears regulatory completion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

Arizona utility TEP wants to add solar fee, reduce net metering credit

Tucson Electric Power is asking for several changes to its rates as it commits to 30% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

California solar advocates bring wheelbarrows of petitions to net metering fight

Solar advocates push to extend California's retail net energy metering credit as utility regulators consider three proposals from major utilities to add fixed charges and lower credits for solar users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015