Aspen Creek Power, Oakhurst Energy merge to maximize solar project returns for the long haul

The new company will take solar projects in the Southeastern U.S. from the earliest stages of development to construction to maximize financial returns, incoming CEO Patrick Leibach says.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 12, 2023

US wind installations see slowest quarter in years, with 288 MW connected: report

The third quarter of 2023 was the slowest quarter for wind energy capacity additions that the sector has seen since 2018, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 8, 2023

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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

Blue hydrogen won’t hit DOE price target without byproduct sales and low fuel costs: report

But the right circumstances could see blue hydrogen, derived from natural gas, sell for $1/kg by 2031, the report says.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 8, 2023

US solar installations hit record 6.5 GW in Q3, but slowdown expected starting in 2026: report

As supply constraints for solar modules ease, the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie project that limited availability of other components will hamper installation growth. 

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 7, 2023

States and federal agencies shouldn’t wait for Congress to act on clean energy infrastructure: report

Clean energy group Evergreen Action released a suite of proposals for speeding up the permitting, siting and approval of transmission projects without an act from Congress.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 7, 2023

IRA likely spurred growth in smaller solar markets, but grid expansion isn’t keeping pace: S&P

U.S. wind and solar developers plan to build 110.4 GW through 2027, but just 15% of planned projects have begun construction, S&P says.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 7, 2023

US utility-scale solar deployments jumped 107% year over year in Q3: S&P Global

4.1 GW of utility-scale solar connected to the grid in the third quarter of 2023, compared with 1.9 GW connected in the same quarter last year.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 6, 2023

Offshore wind, long-duration liquid air energy storage could make for good pairing: analysis

The study by Highview Power and Ørsted found the technology could help reduce the curtailment of wind. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 6, 2023

Eversource wary about attracting investor capital as Connecticut moves to forefront of PBR trend

Connecticut utilities’ credit and financials will remain stable or improve when performance-based regulation is fully implemented, just as they did for Hawaiian Electric, said the state’s chief utility regulator.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 5, 2023

Alliant, DTE, NextEra, others urge FERC to reject MISO’s proposed interconnection queue cap

The grid operator’s proposed interconnection study cap would create “an unworkable queue that undermines competition, raises rates, and threatens reliability,” renewable energy groups said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 5, 2023

New York’s new offshore wind solicitation shows state procurements are improving: attorneys

The provisions included in this latest solicitation indicate that states are learning from experience and working to help the financially troubled offshore wind industry, say two K&L Gates attorneys. 

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 4, 2023

Federal appeals court upholds FERC action on PJM capacity market rule, sets precedent

The decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals offers a “yardstick” for court reviews when FERC is deadlocked and can’t make a decision — a situation that could become more common, ClearView Energy Partners said.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 4, 2023

Why utilities can’t afford to ignore stored solar panels

Market forces are making it unsustainable to store large quantities of solar panels. Having a plan is crucial.

Dec. 4, 2023

The US could still get to net zero

Reducing nearly 90% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 can be done without any Hail Mary innovations.

By Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023

New York launches fourth offshore wind solicitation as 130-MW South Fork farm nears completion

“Despite recent events and economic impacts, there are good signs New York remains committed” to offshore wind, said Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 30, 2023

Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs clean energy package that supports waste to energy, landfill gas

Michigan’s suite of clean energy bills allows the partial use of incineration, landfill gas, natural gas systems with carbon capture and other infrastructure that groups said harms vulnerable communities.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 29, 2023

Can ERCOT show the way to faster and cheaper grid interconnection?

With the "connect and manage" process, which doesn’t require network upgrades, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas brought 14.2 GW online in the last two years, more than any other grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2023

BlackRock nabs $1B for energy transition infrastructure fund

The Evergreen Infrastructure fund aims to invest in businesses focused on energy security and has already acquired a portfolio of renewable investments.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 27, 2023

Green hydrogen: understanding the innovation and policy landscape

You can create hydrogen via renewable-powered electrolysis, making it clean from the start. So what’s the problem?

Nov. 27, 2023

Michigan governor expected to sign clean energy bill that includes incineration

A suite of clean energy bills would transition the state to clean energy by 2040. It counts an existing WTE facility in Kent County as clean while also supporting the use of landfill gas systems and anaerobic digestion.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 22, 2023

Equinor-BP’s 2.1-GW offshore Empire Wind project receives federal approval

The U.S. offshore wind industry remains financially troubled, but industry groups are hopeful about recent moves forward for major projects.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 22, 2023

The Southeast Energy Exchange Market launched a year ago. It still isn’t delivering on its promises.

Over the past year, SEEM’s poor performance has proven its critics right and demonstrated that the energy trading platform is in dire need of a substantial overhaul if it is to be either lawful or beneficial.

By Nick Guidi and Chris Carmody • Nov. 22, 2023

Ørsted, Eversource install New York’s first offshore wind turbine

This is the first of 12 turbines for the 130-MW South Fork Wind project. The state expects all of them will be installed by early 2024.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 21, 2023

Fossil fuel makes up 1% of Colorado generation in 2040 under least-cost approach: state study

The study will be used as part of legislative talks next year on expanding Colorado’s clean energy goals beyond its 80% carbon emissions reduction target for 2030.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 21, 2023

DOE grants aim to expand clean energy workforce, enhance building efficiency

The $40 million-plus funding will add new building training and assessment centers and industrial assessment centers, which provide technical assistance to commercial and institutional buildings and some manufacturers. 

By Joe Burns • Nov. 20, 2023