Coal-fired electricity rebounds in 2021, but resurgence could be short-lived

As the price of natural gas soars, a federal report finds coal-fired power plants are expected to produce significantly more electricity this year than in 2020.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Oct. 20, 2021

Boosting transmission between East, West grids will lower costs: NREL

A National Renewable Energy Laboratory study shows that every dollar spent on new transmission facilities between the two interconnections will be more than doubled as grid benefits, reducing costs to interconnect new resources.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 19, 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

Fixing our supply chains is necessary for the clean energy transition

Solar panels are in high demand but have been particularly hard hit this year by supply chain problems.

By Sally Talberg • Oct. 19, 2021

Time for utility companies to step up by supporting the Clean Electricity Performance Program

Achieving more clean energy is feasible, affordable and would benefit our economy and public health without compromising power system reliability, writes Ceres' senior program director of climate and energy.

By Dan Bakal • Oct. 18, 2021

Empire Wind pushes opening of New York's first offshore wind farm to 2026

The developer told federal regulators it needs until December 2026 to build New York's first major offshore wind farm.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Updated Oct. 16, 2021

Rocky Mountain Power's distributed battery grid management system puts Utah 'years ahead' of California

The program, which currently only supports sonnen batteries, encourages existing Utah solar customers to add energy storage that provides greater grid management capabilities for the utility.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 14, 2021

Developers increasingly pair batteries with utility-scale solar to combat declining value in crowded markets

Although capital and levelized costs associated with solar development continue to fall, a new report points to rising PPA prices and a decreased value of solar in markets experiencing curtailment.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 13, 2021

PJM reviews offshore wind transmission offers from PSEG, Anbaric, LS Power, others

Companies propose projects to deliver 7,500 MW of offshore wind to New Jersey in a unique grid operator-state partnership that could crack the "chicken and egg" development hurdle.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 12, 2021

DOE commits $20M to create clean hydrogen from nuclear power with Palo Verde project

The goal is to learn more about "integrating nuclear energy with hydrogen production technologies," which will help with deploying "future clean hydrogen production deployments at scale," DOE said.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Oct. 12, 2021

Utilities and the decarbonization portfolio

Can a multi-faceted portfolio approach enhance utility decarbonization efforts?

By Andrew Dillon, Innovation Fellow, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe & Carolyn Weiner, Senior Manager, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe • Oct. 11, 2021

GE claims record 14 MW output for prototype offshore wind turbine after 2 years of optimization

The Haliade-X prototype, which could produce up to 74 GWh of electricity per year, is set for its first deployment at the Dogger Bank C wind farm off the coast of England.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 7, 2021

Southern, Duke, PJM, others call for more transmission, coordination to handle renewables surge

As FERC and Congress consider potential measures to increase transmission, 19 grid operators and planners urged changes to the planning, cost allocation and facility siting processes.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2021

The pace of Biden's clean energy standard is a 'tall order' for utilities, says Sen. King

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, questioned whether utilities can add renewable power sources quickly enough to meet the proposed clean energy standard.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Oct. 7, 2021

IEA: $1.2 trillion in low-carbon hydrogen funding needed to reach global net zero emissions by 2050

Global electrolyzer capacity could reach 89 GW by 2030 through a mix of government and private sector spending, according to the International Energy Agency.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 5, 2021

North Carolina passes bill expected to give Duke timely cost recovery, implement clean energy plan

Gov. Roy Cooper, D, is expected to sign the bill, though opponents say it could drive up electric rates by 50%.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Oct. 8, 2021

Meet the utility labor shortage challenge through a true training culture

Understanding and meaningfully addressing the expectations of employees entering the profession is an all-too-often overlooked strategic priority.

Oct. 4, 2021

As California's solar net metering battle goes to regulators, a focus on reliability may be the best answer

The reliability value of solar plus storage in ensuring resource adequacy might be the key to solar's future, according to Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Executive Director V. John White.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2021

PJM's 'focused' MOPR takes effect, boosting renewables and nuclear as FERC commissioners deadlock

The action is a victory for state clean energy policies, but power generators are eyeing avenues to fight PJM’s plan to lift bidding limits on subsidized resources.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 30, 2021

Democrats' clean electricity plan to require 85 GW of renewable energy additions a year: S&P

A new S&P Global Market Intelligence report projects that 85 GW of new renewable energy will be needed each year to meet the Clean Electricity Performance Program target.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 30, 2021

State, federal actions show growing push for a nuclear role in reaching net zero emissions

Former critics of nuclear power agree, financial support may be justified for firm power options to tackle climate change and get over the net zero emissions finish line.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2021

PSEG CEO Izzo backs Democrats' Clean Electricity Performance Program, bucking AEP, others

PSEG's Ralph Izzo said that in the absence of a price on carbon, the program would help create a "national market" and push the grid transition.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 23, 2021

​​PJM cities to FERC: It's time for the MOPR to go

For our climate efforts to succeed, FERC must approve grid operator PJM Interconnection's plan to mostly undo MOPR's threat to state and local clean energy goals, a coalition of 10 cities and communities asserts.

By The PJM Cities and Communities Coalition • Sept. 23, 2021

New York nearly doubles goal for distributed solar installations on success of existing incentives

Building on the success of its NY-Sun program, the state will aim to install at least 10 GW of distributed solar energy by 2030, after previously setting a goal of 6 GW by 2025.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 21, 2021

US can meet Paris climate commitments but will need to rely heavily on electric utilities: report

A new analysis outlines approaches for the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 52% below 2005 levels by 2030. Meeting that target depends on the power sector contributing more than half the total reductions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2021

Advocates push for clean energy tax credits to help low-income households in federal budget bill

As House Democrats advance clean energy language in the budget reconciliation bill, advocates are calling for more flexibility for low-income homes and businesses. 

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 20, 2021