Vistra moves more deeply into nuclear power with planned $3.43B acquisition of Energy Harbor

Vistra President and CEO Jim Burke cited the federal nuclear production tax credit that “now has down-side protection against lower power prices” as a benefit of the deal.

By Stephen Singer • March 7, 2023

Currently ‘not enough workers’ in the labor force to meet offshore wind’s 2030 goals: NREL

The national goal of deploying 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030 will require both an increase in trainees and cross-training of workers from similar industries, said a National Renewable Energy Laboratory researcher.

By Diana DiGangi • March 6, 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

New York eyes floating technology innovations as it aims to expand offshore wind to deeper waters

A commitment to launching offshore wind in deep waters will require technological advancements in floating wind, said NYSERDA’s vice president for large-scale renewables.

By Diana DiGangi • March 2, 2023

RWE completes $6.8B acquisition of Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses

The new company, RWE Clean Energy, now operates a roughly 8-GW portfolio of renewable energy projects in the U.S. backed by a pipeline of more than 24 GW of wind, solar and battery storage.

By Stephen Singer • March 2, 2023

Private investors’ focus on single projects could stall offshore wind development: DOE loan office head

Recent legislation has allocated tens of billions of dollars to transmission and port upgrades, but aligning private and public capital is the next challenge, federal officials said Feb. 22.

By Emma Penrod • March 1, 2023

Duke, APS planning reforms show ways to work with stakeholders to meet emerging power system needs

Integrated planning with deeper modeling and greater stakeholder engagement may slow overburdened regulators and utilities now, but will lead to better long-term decision-making, planners and analysts agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 28, 2023

Property-assessed clean energy programs are popular for local decarbonization financing: report

PACE programs are more common than taxes and other strategies as a source of dedicated climate funds for local governments, a Brookings Institution report found.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 28, 2023

Advanced Energy United warns frameworks needed for transmission buildout ‘don’t really exist’

Building out transmission in the U.S. will require strong federal leadership as well as interstate and interregional coordination, said AEU’s transmission campaign director, Verna Mandez. 

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 27, 2023

Federal panel hones in on materials, manufacturing as top research needs for floating offshore wind

The harsh conditions associated with floating offshore wind require materials with extreme performance capabilities, creating opportunities for materials research, federal officials said.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 27, 2023

Enabling floating offshore wind could rapidly expand total offshore wind pipeline, Biden advisor says

State leaders say diverse priorities have prompted them to coordinate with the Biden administration to accelerate the deployment of floating offshore wind projects in the U.S.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 24, 2023

Interior, NOAA use ocean modeling in siting of 1st Gulf of Mexico offshore wind sales

The agencies used marine spatial planning to site wind energy areas that would minimize impacts on habitats and fisheries. 

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 23, 2023

EEI calls for ‘urgency’ in siting and permitting reform to aid booming energy industry

Executives at the association say they are working with Congress from a ‘blank slate’ after permitting reform failed to pass last year.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 22, 2023

With the Inflation Reduction Act in place, SEMA eyes next steps to advance US solar manufacturing

SEMA formed to lobby for domestic content standards in the solar industry, but the IRA happened sooner than anyone thought possible, expanding the manufacturing coalition’s ambition and vision for the future.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 22, 2023

PJM to offer time-matched renewable energy certificates as demand for 24/7 coverage grows

Corporations looking to achieve 24/7 carbon-free energy will have more options next month when PJM begins offering time-matched certificates.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 21, 2023

New power system cybersecurity architectures can be ‘vaults’ against insider attacks, analysts say

Utility operations facing hackers now, and a future of minimally-protected distributed energy resources, will need smarter, more complex defenses, from control rooms to customer-owned devices, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2023

New York solar equipment maker Linton Crystal Technologies plans to reshore production

Linton’s plan follows multiple announcements by solar manufacturers, including First Solar and Q Cells, who have committed billions of dollars to establish or expand operations in the U.S.

By Megan Ruggles • Feb. 17, 2023

Renewables industry should engage community colleges to address labor shortage: development official

Renewable energy developers must meet registered apprenticeship requirements to qualify for certain Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, but they struggle to find workers, a labor and employment attorney said.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 16, 2023

EPA outlines $27B in clean energy grants as Biden administration remains open to national green bank

The funds will be available through a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, with distribution focused on low-income and disadvantaged communities.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2023

Canadian company cleared to build $6B green hydrogen facility with 2 GW wind farm

The project is the first of its kind in Canada, and similar projects are on their way in the U.S., according to an attorney familiar with upcoming hydrogen projects.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 14, 2023

Dominion stops pursuing ITCs for contracted solar, joining Duke in Q4 renewables impairment charge

Dominion CFO Steven Ridge said the company has decided to invest capital elsewhere after using the projects to develop solar expertise that it can use on the regulated side of its business.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 10, 2023

Renewables would provide cheaper energy than 99% of US coal plants and catalyze a just energy transition

Investment in lower-cost wind and solar resources is an economic opportunity worth up to $589 billion, providing jobs and tax base to coal communities.

By Michelle Solomon and Mike O’Boyle • Feb. 9, 2023

Watershed, Ever.green launch first fixed-price virtual PPA in US with planned 10-MW Texas solar farm

The firms will use a “unique financial structure” to assume frisk on their side, allowing smaller companies to participate in the VPPA.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 9, 2023

US microgrid market to grow 19% annually through 2027, Wood Mackenzie projects

Microgrids continue to add capacity as green initiatives spur development, but high costs associated with renewable technology remain a challenge, a Wood Mackenzie analyst said.

By Henrik Nilsson • Feb. 8, 2023

How utilities can prepare for Inflation Reduction Act impacts via bipartisan infrastructure law planning

There is potential for utilities to substantially boost their clean energy efforts, upgrade infrastructure, and improve customer satisfaction, but they must start by developing an integrated plan of action.

By Michael Jung • Feb. 8, 2023

Minnesota bill mandating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 heads to governor’s desk

The bill also calls for utilities to generate at least 55% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 7, 2023