2022 Outlook: Top US power sector trends to watch

The Biden administration entered 2022 with some key strengths and significant challenges to implementing its clean energy agenda, but states, companies and others are continuing to advance the energy transition.

By Kavya Balaraman, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton and Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2022

SOO Green transmission project faces PJM obstacles: Are grid operators hindering the energy transition?

PJM and other grid operators face challenges in facilitating innovation, experts say. A former FERC commissioner offers an alternative approach.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2022

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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

Interior Department announces New York Bight lease auction for up to 7 GW of offshore wind

The Biden administration sent another signal to the clean energy sector while continuing to press for passage of the Build Back Better bill.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 13, 2022

Idaho Power to accelerate coal retirements, add 3.8 GW clean energy

Idaho Power plans to eliminate coal-fired energy from its portfolio by 2028 under its 2021 IRP. But the plan is not compatible with the utility's goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2045, NGOs say.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 7, 2022

Gov. Hochul announces $500M offshore wind investment, electrification push for New York

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul used her 2022 State of the State address to announce New York's third offshore wind procurement, new energy storage targets and accelerated electrification initiatives.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2022

Data centers, EVs drive PJM's long-term load growth forecast, but it expects some utilities to see declines

However, the grid operator on Friday trimmed its forecast for its next capacity auction year by 0.5%, reflecting slower than expected load growth.  

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2022

Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021

Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022

New York plans 10 GW distributed solar program expansion, but some see even more potential

The state hopes to build on the early success of its current distributed solar goals with an expansion of existing programs and incentives, but some think the state could do more with rate design.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 23, 2021

Massachusetts taps Vineyard Wind, Mayflower Wind to deliver an additional 1.6 GW

As Massachusetts doubled its offshore wind procurement, Maryland surpassed its 1.2 GW target by accepting two bids from U.S. Wind and Skipjack Offshore Energy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 20, 2021

Stem announces acquisition of AlsoEnergy as it looks to maximize potential of solar + storage projects

The deal will create a "one-stop shop" to manage solar-plus-storage projects, artificial intelligence-based energy storage company Stem says.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 17, 2021

Will Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?

Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021

Shell, KKR invest in solar + storage as renewable market booms

The oil and gas giant is acquiring solar and storage developer Savion as part of a push into renewable energy. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 15, 2021

Green hydrogen could compete with traditional hydrogen by 2030, natural gas by 2050: report

The growing scale of the industry and increased competition from new market entrants, coupled with technology improvements, are poised to drive a rapid decline in the cost of hydrogen production, according to Wood Mackenzie.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 10, 2021

DOD, GSA start process in federal shift to all carbon-free power by 2030

The federal government aims to begin buying emissions-free power in competitive markets next year in response to an executive order.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 4, 2022

New Mexico regulators unanimously reject Avangrid-PNM merger, but observers see a second chance in 2023

Observers say it is possible the deal can be salvaged, but for now concerns over reliability and the development of renewable resources have scuttled the proposed $8 billion merger.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2021

New York’s landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say

New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021

Nuclear and carbon capture companies seek $20B as DOE revives loan program

DOE loan office head Jigar Shah said he would like the office to issue at least $2 billion in loans for key emerging sectors, such as battery recycling and "green" hydrogen.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 8, 2021

California nonprofits issue $2 billion in bonds to buy 30 years of renewable energy upfront

At least one community energy provider says it expects to make additional purchases using a similar mechanism after the success of the first set of bonds.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 7, 2021

SEC probe of Tesla over solar roof fires could have limited impact, analyst says

A former Tesla employee accused the company of failing to disclose safety risks from solar panels, prompting multiple federal investigations. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 7, 2021

Q&A: Why do smart grids need ring main units that are greener, more digital and secure?

As more renewable energy is progressively added to the power grid, the grid itself must take steps to decarbonize.

By Christophe Preve, Schneider Electric • Dec. 6, 2021

Trends to watch in energy storage in 2022

By the end of 2030, the energy storage industry will break the 1 terawatt (TW) threshold. Wärtsilä's Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimization, Andrew Tang shares his thoughts on the trends we'll see unfold as a result.

By Andrew Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage and Optimization • Dec. 6, 2021

Arizona regulator warns that APS, Tucson Electric renewable overbuild could cost customers

As the state considers utilities' latest resource plans, a top regulator says they should not be given an 'unfettered license to overbuild.'

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 3, 2021

Colorado utilities could cut costs 5% by joining an RTO, PUC finds, as Western market momentum builds

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission report adds to growing momentum for forming organized power markets in the West, according to Advanced Energy Economy and Interwest Energy Alliance officials.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 3, 2021

US utility-scale solar, storage prices drop over 12% in past year, but supply chain worries loom: NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's annual report finds that U.S. solar and storage prices have dropped significantly, but researchers warn that rising raw materials costs could slow the reductions.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 2, 2021

Duke net metering agreement with renewables advocates expected to increase North Carolina solar adoption

Clean energy advocates expect the proposed rates, similar to a Duke plan approved in South Carolina, to expand the distributed solar market for homeowners and businesses.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 1, 2021