3 state commissions upending the way utilities do business

Oregon, Illinois and Hawaii regulators are disrupting the traditional utility cost-of-service model to bring more distributed energy resources online.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 2, 2019

Ford, Dow and other Michigan companies want renewable energy, so why aren't they buying more?

Green tariffs from Michigan utilities are relatively new, and most corporate customers are still exploring whether they can use these programs to meet sustainability goals while receiving competitively priced energy.

By Laura Sherman • Oct. 2, 2019

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

As Puerto Rico generators trip offline, PREPA relies on load shedding, looks to microgrids

The island utility faces resource adequacy problems as energy regulators consider a plan to reinforce resiliency through eight regional "minigrids."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

The future of energy storage is here: An inside look at Rocky Mountain Power’s 600-battery DR project

The 12.6 MWh Utah project uses solar and battery systems as a virtual power plant.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

Pittsburgh becomes second city in the world to join UN energy efficiency program for buildings

The United Nations and Green Building Alliance signed an agreement with the city to establish an International Center of Excellence on High Performance Buildings in order to cut building emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 30, 2019

DTE pledges carbon-free power by 2050 banking on utility-scale storage, small nuclear, CCS

The utility's latest integrated resource plan also calls for $2 billion in renewables investments over the next five years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2019

California proposes eliminating simplified energy resource plans, but SCE says more is needed

Southern California Edison says it supports a stronger IRP process, but cautioned that eliminating alternative plans would require regulators to adjust greenhouse gas planning targets and demand forecasts.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2019

California wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?

New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019

A Trump tariff boost? Georgia solar manufacturing plant will be North America's largest

Korea-based Hanwha Q Cells' new plant will produce 12,000 solar panels a day. But solar advocates contend the sector would have done better without the tariffs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 24, 2019

Solar tax credit extension would add 82 GW by 2030, SEIA forecasts

A 10-year extension would lead to $87 billion of private sector investment and 308 GW of solar installations by 2030, the solar energy industries association.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 24, 2019

Best practices for voluntary RNG programs

What can gas utilities learn from their electric counterparts as they begin to design voluntary renewable natural gas programs?  

By Amanda Mortlock, VP, Utility Partnerships • Sept. 24, 2019

California needs 2.5 GW of new generation for reliability — keep gas out of that

Instead of continuing to rely on out-of-date and harmful power plants, the CPUC needs to prioritize price-competitive renewable alternatives, writes Vote Solar's Ed Smeloff.

By Ed Smeloff • Sept. 24, 2019

Orsted taps GE for 50% more efficient turbines in New Jersey, Maryland offshore wind projects

The Danish company's use of the 12 MW Haliade-X units is expected to move the global offshore wind market toward larger turbines, "which mean lower electricity costs for taxpayers and ratepayers," an industry expert said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 23, 2019

CAISO to develop regional day-ahead market for renewables after participant push

The initiative is expected to build on the California ISO's Western Energy Imbalance Market, which allows utilities to balance their load and optimize renewable energy use in real time.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2019

Texas wind poised to outstrip coal generation with 87 TWh in 2020, report projects

Wind generators will outpace coal as the price of the renewable energy continues to fall, although natural gas will still generate the largest share of the state's power, Rystad Energy said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

Amazon buys 100K electric vans as part of net zero carbon goals

The e-commerce company revealed its total carbon footprint was 44.4 million metric tons in 2018, and it wants to achieve carbon neutrality 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Accord's 2050 goal. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 20, 2019

Google jumps to top of corporate renewable ladder, with 1.6 GW buy

The purchase includes 18 deals across three continents that make it the largest corporate acquisition of renewables ever, the company claims.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2019

Ex-Tesla exec wants to increase utility control of DERs, and has a smart panel to do it

The new electric panel combines smart metering capabilities with remote control of energy use in residences, while easing installation of solar, energy storage and EV chargers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 20, 2019

FERC proposal would 'gut' PURPA, could lower rates utilities pay to solar developers

The proposed rule would allow states to set the avoided cost rate based on changing market conditions, which would lessen small solar's ability to compete in the market, renewable energy groups contend.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 8, 2019

Dominion proposes 2.6 GW offshore wind project, positioning Virginia as 'hub' for regional development

The $7.8 billion project is the largest yet proposed in the U.S., with Dominion aiming to bring it online in three 880-MW phases, beginning in 2024 and expanding in 2025 and 2026.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2019

Utility-scale solar pipeline hits 37.9 GW, driven by falling costs and corporate buying: Report

Despite a slow quarter for installations, U.S. utility solar project announcements have surged in the first half of 2019, thanks to "unprecedented" levels of procurement, a new analysis finds.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2019

Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Duke Energy commits to 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The utility said it plans "to advocate for sound public policy that advances technology and innovation...[including] advanced renewable energy, longer-lasting storage and new nuclear technologies."

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Arizonans could save $3.5B with quicker coal to solar+storage transition, report finds

Research commissioned by the Sierra Club examined 11 coal units slated for closure in 2035 or later. Moving that timeline up to 2023 would result in significant savings, it found.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2019