2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

8minute forms equity partnership with Capital Dynamics for largest US solar + storage project

The facility will deliver 400 MW of solar and 1,200 MWh of energy storage to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at a fixed solar cost under $0.02 per kilowatt-hour.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 23, 2020

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

A path forward for New England to a low-carbon future: Why a capacity market still matters

Significant work remains to integrate state decarbonization policies into the ISO New England and its wholesale markets, the author writes.

By Dan Dolan • Jan. 22, 2020

FERC MOPR order may have 'paradoxically unintended consequences': PJM

FERC's December order "might have made the process more administrative, more uncertain than it needs to be," a PJM official told stakeholders in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.  

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2020

Rhode Island governor wants state to be fastest to 100% renewable energy

Democrat Gina Raimondo signed an executive order to have all the state's energy supplied by renewable sources by 2030, but NGOs and industry are concerned about the lack of a multi-sector approach or any legal backing.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 21, 2020

US hit record $55.5B renewables investments in 2019

A slow start to 2019 ended with a flurry of offshore and onshore wind investments led by the U.S., China and Europe.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 17, 2020

New York says new renewables financing option to reduce developers' financial risk, save $4.6B

In addition to updating how renewable energy projects in the state are funded, the Public Service Commission directed $2 billion in utility energy efficiency and building electrification spending.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 17, 2020

2020 Outlook: Utilities will be pushed to further embrace distributed energy resources

As net metering fades, some states will move ahead with new visions for DERs, while others are playing catch-up.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020

PepsiCo to get all its US electricity from renewable sources

The maker of its namesake soda, Gatorade and Doritos plans to reach the target later this year. America accounts for nearly half of its total global electricity consumption.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 16, 2020

2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment

"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020

Tri-State announces major renewables shift with 1 GW in new projects, but questions remain

Tri-State announced a total of six new wind and solar projects and a forecast of 50% renewables use by its members by 2024, along with plans to abandon a proposed coal plant in Kansas.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 16, 2020

BLM OKs $1B California desert solar project praised for balanced approach amid ongoing controversy

The Natural Resources Defense Council said the 450 MW project balanced solar development and natural resource protection, but a potential federal update to a California desert energy plan remains a point of contention.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 16, 2020

Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA

Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Will deep decarbonization include nuclear? Possibly, with many caveats

Nuclear has a potential role in a low carbon future only if it is guaranteed to deliver electricity at a levelized cost under $0.076/kWh, the author writes.

By Levin Nock • Jan. 14, 2020

2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector

From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020

Seattle to transition city-owned buildings away from fossil fuels

The first round of building electrification plans are due this summer after an executive order from Mayor Jenny Durkan advancing a Green New Deal.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 13, 2020

Renewable advocates highlight 'most effective' path to net-zero emissions as House releases clean energy framework

The CLEAN Future Act is set to be introduced by House Democrats later this year.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 10, 2020

Google, NV Energy renewable megadeal includes rare storage component

The deal includes 350 MW of solar and up to 280 MW of energy storage, but storage deals for corporate buyers often don't pencil out, an analyst said, because the renewable generation is already fairly cheap.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020

Tri-State to shut New Mexico, Colorado coal plants by 2030, but move may not satisfy unhappy members

While environmental advocates called it "a step in the right direction," they said Tri State's plan does not fully address concerns about energy prices and the ability of members to develop local renewable resources.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020

Corporate solar sector funding rises to $11.7B, buoyed by debt financing

After sharp declines from the middle of the last decade, VC, public market and debt financing of solar companies increased slightly from 2018 to 2019.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 9, 2020

Reduced coal generation drove power sector greenhouse emissions down 10% in 2019, report says

Meanwhile, coal plant retirements between 2005 and 2016 saved an estimated 26,610 lives, 570 million bushels of crops and had significant climate impacts, another study found.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 8, 2020

Bipartisan bill aims to end Dominion's monopoly in Virginia

Dominion and other utilities oppose efforts to deregulate retail markets, saying it can increase costs, but similar bills are expected this year in Florida, Colorado and other states.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 8, 2020

PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035

One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2020

South Carolina raises rates Dominion must pay to solar providers, reversing earlier decision

Dominion would have paid some of the lowest avoided cost rates in the country, according to clean energy groups, and the new decision is more consistent with directives under the state's Energy Freedom Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 7, 2020