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

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

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

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

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