FERC staff to Congress: HV transmission essential to reducing carbon, deploying renewables

One of the largest opportunities for high voltage transmission is colocation, though barriers include restrictions set by the Federal Highway Administration and state transportation agencies, analysts say.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 10, 2020

COVID-19 is allowing a sneak peak for how high-penetration renewable, flexible electricity markets will function in the real world

Europe has seen the future of electricity markets and it is flexible.

By Andy Tang, Vice President - Energy Storage and Optimization, Wärtsilä • Aug. 10, 2020

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

Renewable energy prices begin an upward trend, LevelTen data shows

The quarterly PPA price index by LevelTen Energy suggests solar and wind price indexes have entered a multi-year upswing that is likely to continue for some time.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 7, 2020

Dominion reaches agreement on South Carolina renewables + storage tariff to better integrate resources

The proposal reflects the fact that South Carolina's storage market is maturing, according to one stakeholder. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 7, 2020

After ComEd bribery case, Illinois groups push for changes to clean energy bill

The groups want to undo recent rate increases from Ameren Illinois and ComEd, but the state Chamber of Commerce will not support the update if it still protects Exelon's nuclear plants.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 6, 2020

The future of hydropower will be determined in the Pacific Northwest

By eliminating the best energy storage source in the nation — carbon-free hydropower — we will be fighting climate change with our hands tied behind our backs, the author writes.

By Kurt Miller • Aug. 6, 2020

Offshore wind report forecasts $1.7B of revenue from new federal lease auctions by 2022

The offshore wind industry has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to auction more areas for development ahead of the first large-scale project beginning operation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2020

Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects

The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support investments in solar power, job training in renewable energy and other initiatives.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2020

bp targets $5B annual renewables spending, 50 GW by 2030

The international oil company gave greater insight into its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 after taking a $16.8 billion hit in Q2 of this year.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2020

Sheep, ag and sun: Agrivoltaics propel significant reductions in solar maintenance costs

The cost savings impressed Tampa Electric when it put its solar O&M out to bid in 2018, with grazing representing a 75% cost savings over traditional mowing, said Paul Davis, director of solar operations.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Aug. 4, 2020

WEC Energy Group targets carbon neutrality by 2050 after hitting emissions goals a decade early

The Wisconsin-based electric provider plans to nearly double existing emission reductions over the next decade with a $900 million investment in renewable energy.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 4, 2020

Let Project Icebreaker break the ice

The Ohio Power Siting Board should remove its 11th hour "poison pill" condition on the construction permit for the first freshwater offshore wind project in North America, a clean energy attorney says.

By Theresa Carroll • Aug. 4, 2020

Dominion shakes up leadership, focuses on renewables after pipeline cancellation

CEO Tom Farrell is transitioning to a new role in a "long designed succession process" as the company takes a $2.8 billion charge related to the canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 3, 2020

GE's renewables division reports nearly $200M in Q2 losses due to COVID-19 delays

GE Renewable Energy reported year-over-year orders down 19%, but revenues for the first half of 2020 have increased slightly, hinting at a gradual recovery after cost-saving measures.

By Emma Penrod • July 31, 2020

A blow to small solar, a win for states and utilities? Regulators, analysts assess FERC's PURPA rule

Federal regulators issued a ruling on the law earlier this month that stakeholders say could disproportionately benefit vertically-integrated utilities in non-competitive markets in particular.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

New Mexico approves 100% renewables + storage replacement for San Juan coal capacity

A full renewables portfolio, along with battery storage, was the only replacement option that fully satisfied the state's 100% carbon-free energy transition goals, according to regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

2050 too far off? How facilities can achieve net zero carbon today

Facilities across a range of sectors — including high-heat industrial sectors — have a realistic path to eliminating 100% of their carbon emissions, the author writes.

By Tim Lukes • July 29, 2020

Geothermal energy is surging — battered oil and gas companies should take advantage

America’s idled oil and gas workforce can get back into the field with geothermal operations, which similarly involve deep-well drilling, according to the authors.

By Jigar Shah and Tim Latimer • July 28, 2020

Companies press for renewables support in COVID-19 recovery package, but near-term effects in doubt

Federal investments in clean energy infrastructure, as requested by Edison International, Unilever and 30 other businesses, may not address the rapid short-term growth needed for post-pandemic economic recovery, analysts said.

By Emma Penrod • July 27, 2020

Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid

The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.

By Chris Teale • July 24, 2020

New Jersey drafts offshore wind solicitation for up to 2.4 GW

The announcement follows New York's landmark 2.5 GW solicitation for offshore wind, but regulators say existing lease areas can satisfy both procurement processes.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 24, 2020

Senate Republicans urge McConnell to include clean energy in COVID-19 recovery package

The letter, led by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is likely "the largest number of Republican senators" to have signed onto an effort urging clean energy be included in a federal recovery package.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 24, 2020

Alliant Energy to operate at 100% net-zero emissions by 2050

The utility would retire all eight of its remaining coal-fired plants by 2040 or sooner under its "new aspirational goal."

By Catherine Morehouse • July 23, 2020

Grid operators agree on short-term gas benefits, but say it shouldn't limit renewables growth

"If we get to 100%, we're gonna have to solve some of these really, really challenging problems, but I think that compared to where we are today, we shouldn't let the great be the enemy of the good," PJM Interconnection President and CEO Manu Asthana said.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 22, 2020

Enel plans to deploy 1 GW storage capacity across renewable portfolio through 2022

The company started constructing its first North American utility-scale hybrid project in Texas.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 22, 2020