The offshore wind lease auction process needs a desperate fix

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's process restricts open competition and increases costs regionally, the author maintains.

By Dean Koujak • Aug. 3, 2021

Xcel plans to roll out 10,000 MW of renewable energy in Minnesota, Colorado by 2030

Xcel Energy is accelerating plans to cut its carbon emissions in Minnesota, the utility's home base, and is also gearing up for a major transition, with longtime CEO Ben Fowke slated to retire on Aug. 18.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 30, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Murkowski highlights potential boost to US critical minerals ahead of bipartisan infrastructure deal

Senators voted 67-32 to advance the latest version of the bipartisan infrastructure deal, securing the support of 17 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 29, 2021

Emerging solar panel recycling market ripe with opportunity, but barriers remain

The amount of solar panels reaching the waste stream is expected to grow significantly, and with it the opportunities for safe, sustainable recycling or reuse. Product stewardship programs are also expected to play a role.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 29, 2021

Booming demand for renewable energy financing could result in tax equity shortage, experts say

The alignment of policy and corporate goals is driving even greater demand for renewable energy, according to speakers at a Tuesday panel, but there may not be enough financing — or financing professionals — to meet demand.

By Emma Penrod • July 28, 2021

NextEra adds 1,840 MW renewables and storage to more than 15 GW backlog in Q2

NextEra Energy is nearing the halfway mark in its campaign to roll out 30 million solar panels across Florida by 2030, the multistate utility said Friday in its second quarter earnings report. 

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 26, 2021

Finding a tech advantage as solar energy shines bright

Consumers and commercial businesses are looking to cut energy costs and stretch to reach 100% clean energy by 2035. What steps are they taking to reach these goals?

By Aaron Casillas, Technology & Infrastructure Director, Titan Solar Power • July 26, 2021

AEP seeing 'credible interest' from potential buyers of Kentucky Power subsidiary, CEO says

AEP is ramping up its push to build more renewable generation, executives said Thursday, as the company detailed an increase in second quarter earnings amid a rebounding economy and interest in its Kentucky subsidiary.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 23, 2021

Avangrid touts green hydrogen proposals under DOE initiative, raises 2021 earnings outlook

Avangrid filed several proposals with the Department of Energy, including a plan to build a 20 MW electrolyzer and hydrogen storage complex in Connecticut, to be powered by offshore wind and other renewable sources.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 22, 2021

Austin housing project offers Tesla large-scale test bed to address challenges with energy products

A planned community of homes with Tesla's Solar Roof and Powerwalls could offer new insights into the company's energy future. 

By Jason Plautz • July 21, 2021

Avangrid, PNM report progress with merger critics as criminal probe of Iberdrola raises new questions

As the utilities work to win over the remaining critics of their proposed $8.3 billion merger, the New Mexico hearing examiner wants more information about a criminal investigation into the activities of Avangrid's parent company.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 21, 2021

Gridlock in transmission queues spotlights need for FERC action on planning

FERC is calling for stakeholder input to address the backlog in transmission queues holding 70% of the renewables needed for Biden's policy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2021

FERC launches proceeding to reform transmission policy

“This is the beginning of a very long process,” said Commissioner Mark Christie.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 2021

DER advocates take on Alabama Power distributed solar program, challenge one of 'the worst' fees

"Alabama Power's discriminatory fees are likely the worst of any major utility, but they are not the only ones," Vote Solar said in support of the Southern Environmental Law Center's federal district court challenge.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 15, 2021

Developers enter largest green hydrogen PPA in US with 345 MW of wind to power facility

A new liquid hydrogen plant, part of a network Plug Power plans to build to satisfy rapidly growing demand, will be powered by a wind farm developed by Apex Clean Energy.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2021

Clean electricity standard lands spot in $3.5 trillion Democratic-backed infrastructure deal

Efforts to pass a national standard that would require utilities across the country to slash emissions took a step forward Wednesday.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 15, 2021

Senators clash over policy to increase FERC transmission siting authority

Proposed legislation could allow federal regulators to override state authority in siting transmission where demand and congestion are high. One Republican proposed eliminating it, sparking a Senate committee debate.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 15, 2021

As Google, Microsoft and others pursue 24x7 clean energy, RMI report shows how they can do it better

Research from RMI shows 24x7 matching of demand and clean electricity can drive costs "well above" simply meeting annual renewable procurement targets due to the cost of battery storage.

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2021

'Doesn't make sense': Analysts pan omissions in MISO's first electrification impact analysis

MISO’s first electrification-focused planning study was a "good start" by accentuating uncertainties on the rate and pace of the transition, but missed what storage needs will be and what least-regrets solutions offer, experts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2021

Southern California Edison plans for 38,000 EV charging stations, in largest IOU effort of its kind

Southern California Edison wants tens of thousands of new EV charging stations across its service territory, as more and more electric vehicles hit the roads.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 13, 2021

New York to test green hydrogen at Long Island power plant

The experiment is part of a research initiative by the power authority as the Empire State scrambles to reduce carbon emissions by 85% over the next three decades.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 12, 2021

As Chatterjee's tenure ends, FERC could be 'single most impactful agency' on climate: Rep. Casten

The question of who will fill Commissioner Neil Chatterjee's seat took on new urgency last week as the commissioner announced that July would, probably, be his last open meeting.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 12, 2021

PJM Board approves new MOPR plan in effort to placate states, FERC

The plan aims to accommodate state policies, mitigate buyer side market power and be a long-lasting, resilient solution, according to PJM officials.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 9, 2021

Corporate solar interest surges as companies exit pandemic and turn focus to ESG issues

Total corporate funding for the solar sector reached $13.5 billion in the first half of the year, a new report from Mercom Capital Group finds.

By Robert Walton • July 9, 2021

New England and the South shoulder the nation's highest energy costs, WalletHub survey finds

Consumers in New England and the Southeast face some of the highest energy costs in the country, potentially accelerating a shift towards solar and other distributed resource solutions.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 8, 2021