California regulatory judge recommends more aggressive 2030 emissions target for power sector

The ruling also touches on broader reliability issues in the state, including Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent emergency proclamation and the potential for offshore wind development.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 18, 2021

As momentum for hydrogen builds, electric utilities chart multiple paths forward

Utilities interested in the hydrogen market are considering the fuel for carbon-free generation and for new business models on the horizon.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 18, 2021

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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

Hydrogen could fill multiple gaps in the US energy system, but will energy regulations allow it to?

Experts say green hydrogen will require a regulatory framework unlike any other in the energy industry. And developing that regime, they assert, could benefit the entire grid.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 17, 2021

An ideal marriage? The battle to match US clean energy demand with excess Canadian hydropower

It would seem like the perfect match — a surplus of Canadian hydropower with a grid in the United States that is hungry for more renewable power sources. But moving that power is proving to be complicated.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 16, 2021

PSEG unloads fossil fuel plants for $1.9B in push toward decarbonization

PSEG is taking another big step towards cleaning up its grid, with the New Jersey utility announcing plans on Thursday to sell a 6,750 MW portfolio of fossil-fuel plants for $1.92 billion.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 13, 2021

As Senate passes infrastructure bill, Democrats eye opportunity for more energy spending

A $3.5 trillion budget resolution, approved by the Senate early this morning, contains more tax credits and incentives for renewable energy, including a clean electricity payment program.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 11, 2021

Dominion planning 'largest clean energy submission to date' in Virginia filing

In its second quarter earnings call, CEO Robert Blue said the utility is aggressively pushing forward clean energy solutions, spending $17 billion on zero-carbon generation and storage over the next five years.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2021

Push for green energy could strand more than $68B in coal and gas assets, S&P says

New natural gas plants could lose as much value as recent investments in coal due to accelerating renewable energy deployments, an S&P report finds — but not for the same reasons.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 9, 2021

Leaning on solar to help meet D.C.'s renewable energy goals

Learn how the DCPSC's energy policies brought stakeholders, policymakers, residents, and businesses together to meet D.C.'s climate goals.

Aug. 9, 2021

Duke Energy's renewable portfolio hits 10,000 MW as utility reports Q2 earnings

The utility is on its way to more than double its renewable power portfolio by the end of the decade, executives said Thursday.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 6, 2021

Entergy touts hydrogen as tool to meet industrial customers' green goals

On the utility's second quarter earnings call, CEO Leo Denault said it is working to offer industrial clients "some of the cleanest electricity in the country."

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 6, 2021

US Wind plans up to 1.2 GW expansion off Maryland coast, moves to boost domestic supply chain

The company has submitted a bid to build 80 additional offshore wind turbines. It also plans to build a dedicated offshore wind deployment port and a steel fabrication facility.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 5, 2021

The US power sector is halfway to net zero emissions, but it gets harder now, analysts say

Renewables led the power sector's recent energy transition, but breakthroughs are needed to take the transportation, building and industrial sectors to net zero emissions by mid-century.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2021

First Solar CEO highlights 3.3 GWdc manufacturing expansions in Ohio, India ahead of next gen module

The new Ohio plant will allow the company to "develop a new product at the intersection of efficiency, energy yield ... cost competitiveness and advantaged environmental attributes," CEO Mark Widmar said.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 3, 2021

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

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