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

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

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

US to add 200 GW of renewable capacity by 2026, but IEA warns 30 GW offshore target 'challenging'

More than 75% of the new capacity will be solar, with wind making up most of the remainder, according to a report issued Dec. 1. Meeting the United States' offshore wind aspirations, however, may be difficult absent policy intervention.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2021

At the forefront: The biggest state clean energy legislative trends of 2021

States continue to act as laboratories of innovation, taking unique policy approaches and testing their own solutions to various clean energy policy issues, the author writes.

By Autumn Proudlove • Nov. 24, 2021

Pricing carbon is vital to US climate goals and politically unlikely, but there is another way, analysts say

There are two basic approaches to pricing carbon emissions, and either can work, most economists agree. Though neither is politically viable, there is a way toward them, many analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2021

Can the DOE's community solar target to power 5M homes be met? Not without state-level support

Without putting forth the resources and rewarding effective blueprints to pull off a monumental scaling effort of community solar, the DOE's new targets will not be met, the author writes.

By Mike Gordon • Nov. 24, 2021

First Solar announces its largest-ever single order of solar modules — 5.4 GW to bp and affiliate

The purchase represents First Solar's third record-setting sale to close this year, according to a company spokesperson, and might indicate a growing interest among solar developers in larger, longer-term procurement deals.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 23, 2021

Illinois' new clean energy law could be a regulatory playbook for other states

While the law's decarbonization targets and workforce development components grabbed headlines, less has been written about the utility regulatory requirements and challenges associated with enacting it, the authors write.

By Carrie Zalewski, Jordan Graham and Tanya Rabczak • Nov. 23, 2021

Why—and how—natural gas utilities should act now to help customers address emissions

Voluntary programs serve gas customer demand and are viable today.

By Amanda Mortlock • Nov. 22, 2021

Storage paired with renewables sees highest financial return with 2-hour batteries, Berkeley lab finds

Energy prices did not cover the costs associated with longer-duration batteries in an analysis of seven U.S. markets, according to researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 19, 2021

Direct Energy launches fresh attack against Dominion's 100% renewable energy tariff in Virginia

The competitive power provider is taking aim at Dominion Energy's all-renewable power offering, saying it has failed to attract anywhere near the number of customers it should.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 18, 2021

How the Build Back Better bill could boost clean energy for low-income homeowners

Advocates say the Democrats' budget bill corrects incentives that have "always been biased towards people who have wealth."

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 16, 2021

S&P projects record installation of 71 GW of US wind and solar in 2022 amid rising headwinds

According to the report, 8 GW of battery storage will be deployed in 2022, six times higher than the record set in 2020.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 15, 2021

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

US Bank pledges net-zero emissions by 2050, in a first among regionals

The bank also aims to put $50 billion by 2030 toward financing customers and projects that have a positive environmental impact. It said it is establishing a framework to more clearly track that figure.

By Dan Ennis • Nov. 15, 2021

Utility PV project optimization software boosts returns by up to 15%

Developers partner with the new Terrasmart to integrate next-gen feasibility tool with end-to-end racking and eBOS solutions.

By Ashton Vandemark, SIFT Business Unit Manager, Terrasmart • Nov. 15, 2021

Accelerated renewables deployment, electrification critical to cutting carbon emissions 50% by 2030, EPRI finds

The nation is on track to reduce emissions 27% from 2005 levels in the next eight years, but the electric and transportation sectors must accelerate progress to meet the 50% interim goal for 2030, a new study says.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 11, 2021

Entergy Mississippi readies push into renewable power with plans to add 1 GW

The utility's decision is part of a larger plan designed to help counteract soaring natural gas costs on its gas-fired electric plants.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 11, 2021

Dominion pushes ahead with shift from non-regulated assets, echoing Exelon, DTE and other utilities

The company continues on a path to focus on its "attractive regulated utility businesses" and to lower business risks with a new sale, according to its chief financial officer.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 9, 2021

Biden signs $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill with funding for EVs, transmission, hydrogen

Biden also created a task force to be run by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to help coordinate the spending.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 16, 2021

Duke Energy eyes offshore wind, advanced nuclear, to meet NC decarbonization goals

Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good told analysts Thursday the company is exploring an array of options to meet North Carolina's new decarbonization goals.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 8, 2021