North Carolina forges new path on net metering as other states cut rooftop solar incentives

State regulators partially accepted a deal worked out by Duke Energy and other stakeholders that includes a variable payment approach to net metering based on overall electricity demand on the grid.

By Patrick Cooley • March 31, 2023

In the heated debate over clean hydrogen rules, additionality doesn’t add up

A handful of observers are trying to undermine congressional intent by asking the administration to prohibit American manufacturers from having equal access to clean hydrogen production.

By Joe Dominguez • March 31, 2023

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

‘One bad incident could really set us back’ — DOI official advises proactive transparency on offshore wind

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s deputy director, Paul Huang, said the agency does not “rubber stamp” projects and that new technology will be evaluated thoroughly.

By Diana DiGangi • March 30, 2023

DOE releases strategy to reach 30 GW offshore wind by 2030, aiming to cut costs 30%, to $51/MWh

The agency says that a full commitment to reaching offshore wind goals would generate $12 billion in yearly investments.

By Diana DiGangi • March 30, 2023

Innovative technology emerges to support offshore wind siting, logistics

As the offshore wind industry races to meet the federal goal of deploying 30 GW by 2030, companies are capitalizing on a need for logistical and manufacturing solutions.

By Diana DiGangi • March 29, 2023

Electric generators will fill a critical role in developing hydrogen in the Los Angeles area, analysis finds

Hydrogen could play a key role in decarbonizing trucking and shipping, but power generation will likely need to catalyze its use in the Los Angeles area, researchers said Tuesday.

By Emma Penrod • March 28, 2023

Global energy transition investments must quadruple to $5T to reach climate targets: IRENA

Renewable deployments worldwide will have to grow from 3,000 GW today to 10,000 GW by 2030 to manage global warming, says a new report.

By Diana DiGangi • March 28, 2023

DOE’s SolSmart solar technical assistance program to double its reach by 2027

The SolSmart program has so far worked to improve solar markets in 488 communities, potentially impacting 134 million people.

By Diana DiGangi • March 27, 2023

Keeping the lights on down under: Energy lessons from Australia

In November 2022, a group of U.S. utility executives joined the Smart Electric Power Alliance on a fact-finding mission to understand the impact of the clean energy transition on Australia’s electricity markets.

By Cristin Lyons, Partner and Energy Practice Leader and Kevin Hernandez, Partner, ScottMadden • March 27, 2023

Sen. Rosen urges fellow Democrats to keep solar tariff pause in place, citing low US production capacity

Overturning the two-year tariff moratorium on imports from four Southeast Asian countries would be potentially “devastating” to the U.S. solar industry, the senator wrote. 

By Diana DiGangi • March 23, 2023

Baker Tilly, startup Ever.green team up to launch online marketplace for clean energy tax credits

The platform should relieve pent-up demand for renewable energy investments, according to Baker Tilly’s energy transition practice managing director.

By Emma Penrod • March 23, 2023

Hydrogen blending exceeds expectations in WEC Energy Group test of Wärtsilä gas-fired engine

Blending hydrogen with natural gas in a 20 MW engine cut carbon emissions by more than 10% during the largest such test to date, which also involved the Electric Power Research Institute and other partners.

By Emma Penrod • March 23, 2023

Global renewable growth broke records in 2022, adding almost 295 GW: IRENA

Despite the global energy crisis, renewables capacity worldwide increased by 9.6% in 2022, says a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency.

By Diana DiGangi • March 22, 2023

Energy Department to fund projects that aim to lower cost of wind energy production

The $30 million is meant for projects that improve lightweight composite materials and additive manufacturing for wind turbine components.

By Megan Ruggles • March 21, 2023

Google, LevelTen Energy team up to improve PPAs, streamline corporate renewable energy procurement

Google pioneered the virtual power purchase agreement and introduced concepts such as 24-7 time-matched energy offsetting. Its latest goal for PPAs is contract standardization.

By Emma Penrod • March 20, 2023

Renewables industry could address commodities squeeze with vertical integration: McKinsey

Proactive steps should be taken to account for the price volatility of raw materials needed for wind and solar, such as neodymium and polysilicon, the consulting firm says.

By Diana DiGangi • March 16, 2023

DOE offers $750M to help drive clean hydrogen production costs down 60% by 2026

The funding announced Wednesday aims to cut the cost of hydrogen produced with emissions-free electricity to $2 per kilogram by 2026 from around $5/kg today.

By Ethan Howland • March 16, 2023

Treasury Department guidance urgently needed to tap IRA’s clean energy ‘gold mine,’ analysts say

Clarifications defining Inflation Reduction Act provisions on labor, domestic content, energy community, and clean hydrogen are urgently needed to put the “boldest action” by Congress to work, they say.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2023

NERC issues alert, recommendations to solar resources following inverter-based grid disturbances

The rapid interconnection of inverter-based resources “poses a high risk to grid reliability,” warned the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2023

Solar companies offer reassurance after renewables financier Silicon Valley Bank collapses

The federal government has ensured depositors won’t lose money as a result of the collapse, but many developers will have to find and establish new sources of financing. 

By Diana DiGangi • March 14, 2023

Community outreach and investment can help meet renewable industry’s worker demand, say labor experts

“It's gone from a critical issue to ‘the business doesn't work unless we get this right,’” said one panelist during the American Council on Renewable Energy’s public policy forum.

By Diana DiGangi • March 10, 2023

Solar industry aims for 2023 rebound, but year ahead remains deeply uncertain

Significant policy questions could put the U.S. on track to install 50 GW of solar per year by 2027 – or not, a report by Wood Mackenzie says.

By Emma Penrod • March 10, 2023

FERC must ensure that customer funds are only used to benefit customers and not political activities

If FERC provides a level playing field, we have a chance to enact policies that are in our best interest, use science, follow the math, and implement non-emitting energy solutions.

By Priya Gandbhir • March 9, 2023

New Jersey seeks up to 4 GW of offshore wind in latest solicitation

The state will award contracts for between 1.2 GW and 4 GW of offshore wind as it aims to meet its goal of deploying 11 GW by 2040 through five more solicitations.

By Diana DiGangi • March 8, 2023

Constellation Energy launches 1-MW nuclear-powered hydrogen production facility at Nine Mile Point

This is the final nuclear-powered hydrogen demonstration project announced by DOE last November to launch, following projects at the Davis-Besse, Prairie Island and Palo Verde plants.

By Diana DiGangi • March 7, 2023