The fight for a national clean energy transmission system emerges on three fronts

DOE’s multi-part transmission study, FERC’s refocus on transmission planning, and macrogrid advocacy efforts could produce an interconnected nation ready for net zero electricity by 2035, industry, government and other experts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2022

Scaling hydrogen in North America will require policy support beyond infrastructure funding, panel says

The debate about how to ensure government funds will primarily support "green" hydrogen projects is growing comical as other technologies make advances, one analyst says.

By Emma Penrod • May 2, 2022

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

AEP's renewable buildout has flexibility to handle uncertainty in the solar market: CEO Akins

AEP is open to selling underperforming utilities that aren’t key to the energy transition, Akins told analysts Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • April 29, 2022

For the first time, US renewable energy output exceeds nuclear generation, EIA finds

The cost and safety advantages of solar power are expected to continue driving this trend despite federal programs to keep baseload nuclear plants online.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • April 28, 2022

Interior to kick off comment period on new offshore wind leasing areas in mid-Atlantic, Pacific

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seeks public input on six areas stretching from the coast of North Carolina to Delaware, and two areas off the coast of Oregon.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 28, 2022

Market 'in a state of panic' due to tariff case, interconnection delays: solar developers

Developers expressed limited optimism for quickly resolving the solar market shortages triggered by challenges like extended interconnection queues and the Department of Commerce investigation.

By Emma Penrod • April 28, 2022

Looking to start a hydrogen hub in your state? Here’s what experts say it’s going to take

As the competition for $8 billion in federal hydrogen funding heats up, having a plan to produce hydrogen may be the least important factor in securing a regional "hub" designation.

By Emma Penrod • April 26, 2022

Texas hydrogen 'proto-hub' leads the US in technical potential for DOE-funded regional hubs: GTI

The Houston-based pilot, run by a partnership that includes the Gas Technology Institute, has grown to include several applications of the technology, including energy storage and fuel cell deployment, in its first two years.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 25, 2022

AMI offers improved safety in natural gas and beyond

Increasing its operational presence, AMI has the power to save lives in the communities you serve.

By Ron Lazarus, COO of New Cosmos USA, Inc/DeNova Detect • April 25, 2022

6 myths about power plant controllers

Have you fallen victim to one of the myths surrounding renewable power plant controllers?

April 25, 2022

Earth Day roundup: The latest private-sector and Biden administration decarbonization efforts

As various companies and federal agencies release a flurry of announcements in tandem with Earth Day celebrations, Utility Dive takes a look at the biggest news in the sector.

By Utility Dive Editors • April 22, 2022

NextEra CEO blasts 'outrageous' solar panel anti-dumping investigation, says some projects may be delayed

At least 2 GW of solar projects may be impacted by supply chain disruptions, company leaders said Thursday, but growth in other areas could pick up the slack.

By Emma Penrod • April 22, 2022

Amazon set to reach 100% renewable goal 5 years ahead of target with 3.5 GW of new energy projects

A series of 37 new renewable energy projects — 26 to be located in the U.S. — announced by Amazon on Wednesday will expand the capacity of the company's clean energy portfolio by nearly a third.

By Emma Penrod • April 20, 2022

New York approves transmission contracts to advance Clean Path NY, Champlain Hudson projects

The Public Service Commission also expanded a key development program for distributed solar in the state.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2022

Automated solar permitting program sees 31 MW approved in first year of operation

The DOE-backed solar permitting platform is looking to expand services after its first year of operation, but its developer says some barriers remain in place, including for utility-scale applications.

By Emma Penrod • April 19, 2022

Virginia governor approves tax exemption for residential and mixed-use solar installations

Solar advocates praised the state for removing a potential barrier to solar access, but it remains unclear exactly how the exemption will apply to residents.

By Emma Penrod • April 14, 2022

NorthWestern Energy sues to overturn FERC PURPA ruling in dispute over solar-battery project

The spike in natural gas prices could spark a PURPA revival in the Northwest, according to a PURPA attorney.

By Ethan Howland • April 13, 2022

PPA prices rise 28.5% as supply and regulatory challenges pile up: report

Rising prices, prompted by the outbreak of war in Ukraine, appear to be the new normal — at least for the time being — in renewable energy, expert says.

By Emma Penrod • April 13, 2022

Arizona regulators deny SRP gas plant expansion, citing community impacts and insufficient supporting evidence

Salt River Project said the decision creates a near-term resource issue and that it will continue to evaluate its "generation and market options."

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2022

Virginia SCC staff questions Dominion Energy's offshore wind cost assumptions

The regulatory commission's staff testimony addresses whether the cost estimates were based on accurate assumptions by Dominion, the first utility to build large-scale offshore wind in the United States.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 12, 2022

Rapid development could push cost of hydrogen below $2/kg in the next 10-20 years, analysts say

Hydrogen seems set for a third year of exponential growth, according to a Wood Mackenzie analysis, and multiple firms say prices are likely to fall rapidly in the coming years.

By Emma Penrod • April 11, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

Clean energy sector eyes window for passing federal tax breaks amid challenge of high energy prices

Now that the Senate has confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, clean energy groups are hoping to see movement in Congress on long-term tax incentives, but multiple obstacles remain.

By Larry Pearl • April 8, 2022

Senators press for quicker solar anti-dumping investigation amid reports of sector's 'rapid degeneration'

U.S. solar developers reported 318 projects totaling 51 GW of solar capacity and 6 GWh of attached battery storage are being canceled or delayed in the wake of the Department of Commerce investigation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated May 3, 2022

DOE funds study to evaluate converting Alabama gas plant to run partially on hydrogen

The project, which has received $800,000 in Energy Department funding, is part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate the use of hydrogen as a means of long-term energy storage.

By Emma Penrod • Updated April 5, 2022