Upheaval in utility regulation emerging nationally as Hawaii validates a performance-based approach

Hawaii’s hard work on a PBR framework that protects utilities, consumers and the environment is paying off, but other states’ shortcuts could undermine success, advocates worry.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 5, 2022

California passes legislation to avoid blackouts, create ‘insurance policy’ for the grid

“Yeah, it’s a lousy bill, but it’s the best hope we have for keeping the lights on,” one lawmaker said Wednesday. 

By Kavya Balaraman • July 1, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Puerto Ricans have built the largest renewable peaker plant in the world. Let's use it.

It’s not too late for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to see the obvious economic and societal value of virtual power plants to mitigate blackouts, the author says.

By Javier Rúa-Jovet • June 28, 2022

Energy sector job growth outpaces overall US economy, with strength in transportation, renewables: DOE

The number of jobs in the U.S. energy sector grew 4% in 2021, outpacing 2.8% growth in overall domestic employment, according to the agency.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2022

How utilities can harness green hydrogen production's flexibility in balancing a high-renewables grid

As green hydrogen gains momentum, understanding its role as a demand-side resource will help achieve reliability in a high-renewables grid, writes Energy Innovation’s Eric Gimon.

By Eric Gimon • June 27, 2022

White House unveils 11-state partnership to boost offshore wind development, domestic supply chain

The offshore wind industry sees an opportunity for regional collaboration with the partnership, which includes East Coast states and the Biden administration, and could expand to include the West Coast and Gulf of Mexico.

By Emma Penrod • June 27, 2022

How intelligent tracker technology is powering the solar revolution

Optimize operations and increase energy yield with intelligent tracker technology.

June 27, 2022

Energy storage soars despite international and national supply challenges: report

The domestic dispute over imported solar panels with alleged Chinese parts slowed large solar projects that were paired with storage but may have less of an impact next year, Wood Mackenzie analysts say.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • June 22, 2022

Tests show fuel-flexible linear generators can use both hydrogen and ammonia

The generator currently represents a potential low- or no-carbon alternative to backup power generators, according to its manufacturer.

By Emma Penrod • June 22, 2022

California needs to triple historical decarbonization rates to meet 2030 carbon target, report finds

“The key takeaway is that California is leaving beneficial, earlier action on the table,” said Chris Busch, research director with Energy Innovation and primary author of the report. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 17, 2022

Rhode Island governor signs 'most aggressive renewable energy standard' in US, targets 100% offsets by 2033

The law does not prohibit utilities from using fossil fuels, but it ensures the development of a “corresponding amount” of renewables throughout the region.

By Robert Walton • Updated June 30, 2022

Utilities, solar industry square off as California reopens record in net energy metering process

Stakeholders disagree on, among other things, how the state should transition customers from the existing net energy metering framework to a new one — what regulators are calling the “glide path.”

By Kavya Balaraman • June 15, 2022

NextEra Energy plans to cut all carbon emissions by 2045, partly via FPL adding 140 GW of solar, storage

NextEra said Tuesday it can implement its carbon reduction plan without greenhouse gas offsets or increasing customer costs.

By Ethan Howland • June 14, 2022

Path to cost-effective hydrogen seems clear, but financing deals remains a challenge, panelists say

Financing hydrogen projects remains complex, experts say, but government funding and a hub approach that bring together multiple partners could get the ball rolling.

By Emma Penrod • June 13, 2022

4 effective ways to meet US decarbonization goals

How can the US achieve meaningful decarbonization goals without sacrificing reliable, stable energy?

June 13, 2022

Tensions rise as renewable energy CEOs debate next steps after tariff, supply chain challenges

An ACORE panel of renewable energy company leaders triggered a strong debate on Wednesday as CEOs discussed how to address supply disruptions in the solar industry.

By Emma Penrod • June 10, 2022

First quarter saw solar US deployments slump 52%, but tariff investigation may not be sole cause

Even with mitigating action by the Biden administration, the solar industry may still need several quarters to recover, according to a Wood Mackenzie analyst.

By Emma Penrod • June 10, 2022

GE to triple solar, storage solutions manufacturing capacity amid global supply chain squeeze

The company’s announcement aligns with the expected ramping up of solar module and battery manufacturing in response to supply shortages and expected continued growth, one expert said.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 9, 2022

Biden invokes Defense Production Act to boost domestic manufacturing in clean energy, grid sectors

The White House also aims to spur up to 100 GW in solar purchases via federal, state and local joint procurement.

By Ethan Howland • June 7, 2022

DOE aims to decarbonize heavy industry with $8B hydrogen hub project

Initial criteria for hub applications would give priority to projects that emphasize equity and job creation and that demonstrate a wide variety of hydrogen-related technologies.

By Emma Penrod • June 7, 2022

Biden to pause solar tariffs for 2 years amid supply chain disruption from Commerce investigation

The legal standing of the recent executive order will depend on the administration establishing that the solar market was in an “emergency” situation, analysts said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated June 29, 2022

FERC's acceptance of 2 capacity accreditation methods will complicate renewables development

The stakes are high: As more intermittent resources enter markets, the quantity procured and capacity payments will depend on each market’s specific capacity accreditation rules, the authors write.

By Joseph Cavicchi and Charles Wu • June 6, 2022

21st century control of utility-scale solar and storage sites

Solar and storage sites typically require multiple controllers. This site uses one software-based solution.

June 6, 2022

New York announces 22 solar, storage projects, pushing projected 2030 energy mix to 66% green

The roughly 2,000 MW in projects are expected to generate more than $2.7 billion in private investment. Clean energy advocates say the awards mark "serious progress" toward a decarbonized electric grid.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2022

As contentious net metering debates persist across the US, Connecticut and Hawaii show a way forward

Hawaii and Connecticut are exploring technical and economic solutions, which California, Florida and others can learn from and improve upon, the author writes.

By Patrick Murphy • June 3, 2022