Solar & Renewables: Page 2

Opinion

To build a zero-carbon grid, we first need to model it accurately

Many of the planning models used by utilities and their regulators are not well-suited to consider the role of long-duration energy storage and multi-day load flexibility as a complement to variable renewable generation, the authors write.

By Scott Burger, Marco Ferrara, Roderick Go, and Arne Olson • Dec. 23, 2020

Dominion files plans with federal regulators for 2.6 GW offshore wind project, largest in US to date

The filing with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management follows Dominion's construction of the first offshore wind turbines approved by regulators in federal waters.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 22, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Wholesale Markets

Wholesale market operators' drive to ensure reliability continues to clash with state decarbonization goals, but new proposals are emerging to better integrate emerging resources and share them across borders.

By Utility Dive staff

Federal stimulus includes wind, solar tax credit extensions, adds first US offshore wind tax credit

The legislative package will also reduce the costs of short-term, long-term, seasonal, and transportation energy storage technologies through a $1.08 billion investment over five years.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 22, 2020

FERC's Clements: 'Grave threat' of climate change will 'underlie my approach as a commissioner'

Regulators are obligated to ensure just and reasonable rates and avoid unfair discrimination, but the factors that influence those decisions "have become significantly more numerous and complex" over the past few decades, she said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020

Deep Dive

APS's plan for closing coal plants could be a gamechanger, analysts say, but who will pay?

The company's current rate case includes $144.45 million for communities impacted by its proposed coal closures, the biggest-ever such U.S. utility commitment, but customers would pay over 80% of the plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2020

Utility interest in hydrogen 'beyond staggering': GE

"You may not see it publicly yet, but we've talked with customers, and privately they've shared to us that when they make their next filing, [hydrogen] will be part of their filing," GE executive Jeffrey Goldmeer said in an interview.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 16, 2020

Solar markets show signs of strong recovery after installations dip during COVID-19 shutdowns

After experiencing some slowing during the first months of the pandemic, solar installations are back on track to set new records by the end of 2020.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 16, 2020

South Carolina directs Dominion to model early coal fleet retirement, pre-2026 additions of solar and storage

State regulators ordered the utility to analyze early coal plant closures amid considerations to retrofit its Williams and Wateree plants, as well as adding demand side management and clean energy resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Jan. 5, 2021 at 9:33 a.m.

Deep Dive

No 'green halo' for renewables: First Solar, Veolia, others tackle wind and solar environmental impacts

From the toxics and wastewater in manufacturing to the difficulty of recycling PV panels and turbine blades, solar and wind in particular create impacts the industries are trying to reduce.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Dec. 14, 2020

Smart Columbus pushes ahead on corporate decarbonization

The Smart Columbus Energy program is designed to help Central Ohio's corporate and industrial organizations transition to clean energy through wind and solar energy procurement.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 14, 2020

Duke, Dominion, Southern file SEEM proposal with state regulators, plan to file with FERC by end of year

The energy exchange proposal comes in the midst of proposals in North and South Carolina to open up the region to more competition.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020

Does low-cost renewable energy, storage mean hydrogen is here to stay?

After going through “multiple hype cycles,” Shell manager and other leaders say hydrogen may finally find an economic foothold thanks to low-cost renewable energy and a need for additional energy storage.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 11, 2020

Maryland, Illinois may pursue legislative MOPR exit, despite new FERC nearing

"We wish that a new FERC could just simply wave its wand and get rid of the MOPR," said Illinois' consumer advocate. But "we can't wait for a new FERC to solve the mess that the previous FERC created."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020

Opinion

Renewable portfolio standards are propelling the US to a clean-energy future. But data practices are lagging

Because RPS policies are such powerful tools for expanding renewable energy adoption, those in decision-making positions need to be able to easily understand these policies’ effects, the authors write.

By Ingrid Behrsin, Francesca Disano, and Hannah Safford • Dec. 10, 2020

To meet Biden 2035 emissions target, utilities will need to pick up the pace, report finds

While many U.S. utilities have set corporate emissions goals, most self-imposed deadlines are far beyond the Biden administration's goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, according to the Energy and Policy Institute.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 10, 2020

Senate works to pass comprehensive energy bill in 2020 as renewables sector vies for more aid

If approved, the bill would likely be a slimmed down version of what Democrats and the clean energy industry want to see in comprehensive energy legislation, according to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

Executive of the Year: Ben Fowke, Xcel Energy

Fowke, who also chairs utility trade group Edison Electric Institute, has kept Xcel committed to a pathway for eliminating carbon emissions, stakeholders say.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

Regulator of the Year: Neil Chatterjee, FERC

It's hard to imagine an agency that has had more effect on the power sector this year than the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and it's impossible to divorce that impact from its now-former chairman: Neil Chatterjee.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

Utility of the Year: NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy is investing in green hydrogen, solar energy and grid resilience, even as the company's effort to expand via M&A have come up dry.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

'Very small silver lining' of COVID-19? An extra 2.5 years to reduce power sector emissions: report

BloombergNEF's New Energy Outlook shows the gas sector will never fully recover from the economic downturn in 2020.  

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 08, 2020

California's pathway to 100% clean electricity begins to take shape, but reliability concerns persist

Achieving a 100% clean electricity goal by 2045 is technically achievable, a draft report from the state's energy agencies concludes.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 07, 2020

Illinois rejects Ameren move to abandon full retail net metering for new home solar arrays

The Illinois Commerce Commission is giving Ameren 21 days to restore its net metering tariff and give rebates to customers who have installed solar since Oct. 2. 

By John Funk • Dec. 07, 2020

Google calls for more RTOs, designs 'intelligent platform' to meet 24/7 clean energy goal

The development of new software and access to more RTOs are key to achieving Google's goal of eliminating its remaining reliance on coal and gas, the company's global energy markets and policy chief tells NARUC.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 04, 2020

Vineyard Wind hits pause on offshore wind federal permitting after selecting GE as turbine provider

The developer tapped GE Renewable Energy for its 13 MW Haliade-X turbines, after having filed in its construction and operations plan that its 800 MW project would consist of up to 100 turbines ranging from 8 MW to 10 MW.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 03, 2020