The devil's in the details: Policy implications of 'clean' vs. 'renewable' energy

In the U.S., researchers who analyzed 40 different decarbonization pathways found that a system inclusive of clean energy will be much cheaper than a system based entirely on renewables.

By Lee Beck and Jennifer T. Gordon • March 14, 2019

Three's company: New Mexico joins California, Hawaii in approving 100% clean energy mandate

The bill requires the state to phase out all natural gas and coal-fired plants by 2045, signifying a major shift in energy priorities since a new governor and a new crop of legislators took office in January.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019

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

Kansas City, Missouri, pledges carbon-free government by next year

The city council voted unanimously to get its electricity from renewable sources, develop a community solar farm and buy more electric vehicles.

By Chris Teale • March 13, 2019

Federal court denies FERC jurisdiction in PG&E bankruptcy case

FERC asserted it had "concurrent jurisdiction" and could prevent power contracts from being altered as part of PG&E's bankruptcy proceeding.

By Gavin Bade • March 13, 2019

EVs are here to stay, are you ready?

Growth is prompting important decisions now, to create a reliable system that can integrate electric vehicles into power systems.

March 13, 2019

Hungry for green power, tech giants choose between utilities, independent developers

Utilities increasingly supply 100% renewable energy to large customers, raising questions about why they don't purchase more wind and solar for their entire consumer base. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

Arizona regulators at odds over PURPA implementation

The state could miss out on $500 million in solar investment if regulators delay changes to contract terms under the federal law, Commissioner Andy Tobin argues. 

By Gavin Bade • March 11, 2019

Michigan ALJ proposes solar compromise in DTE rate case

The administrative law judge recommended eliminating the fee requested by the utility for solar users while lowering the compensation rate for rooftop solar.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019

ISO-NE forecasts transition to distributed, renewable generation

The grid operator released its 2019 Regional Electricity Outlook last week, listing natural gas plants as the only new conventional generation resource expected online between 2018 and 2020.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 7, 2019

Oregon OKs dual PGE approach to procure renewables for business customers

Portland General Electric's clean energy offerings are part of a wave of creative Power Purchase Agreement tariffs utilities are offering to corporate and municipal customers.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

Efficiency leads 2019 energy job growth prospects

Energy efficiency employers project a 7.8% growth rate for jobs this year, more than double the increase last year, in what the latest U.S. Energy and Employment Report deemed the "toughest hiring climate."

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

Deploying more renewables now through an energy storage-centric Clean Peak Standard

Policies that encourage energy storage to be paired with solar or wind power can have an outsized impact because these grid assets can together deliver firm capacity into peak periods when customer costs are the highest.

By Ronald DiFelice • March 7, 2019

ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer

The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 6, 2019

Great Plains states dominate renewables generation in 2018

While natural gas dominated generation additions last year, an NRDC analyst found that several Midwest states across the Great Plains region dominated renewables generation, indicating a shift in the energy mix driven by "economics" and "corporate interest."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 6, 2019

Minnesota 100% carbon-free bill joins flurry of state level clean energy action

Gov. Tim Walz's proposal expands energy efficiency programs and removes benchmark emissions requirements that utilities "have always blown by."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 5, 2019

AEP launches electric utility tech accelerator to identify 'compelling' startups

American Electric Power's initiative with innovation specialist L Marks will be a 10-week bootcamp-style energy summit focused on accelerating the development of grid solutions.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2019

How electric vehicles and charging technology are transforming the utility paradigm

Thanks to the development of utility-interactive DC fast charging and technology such as vehicle-to-grid technology, utilities can rapidly unlock the ability to integrate broad-scale distributed energy resources onto the grid.

By Jeff Wolfe, President, Americas at Tritium • March 5, 2019

GM, Ford to fully power Michigan facilities with local wind from DTE Energy

Ford was the first to announce involvement with DTE Energy's new tariff, approved by regulators in January, to serve large customers through the utility's renewable energy offerings.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 4, 2019

New Brunswick Power, Florida developer partner to build first hydrogen-powered electric grid

The Canadian utility and Joi Scientific are looking to build a prototype in two to three years that could generate 10-100 MW, with the goal to make New Brunswick Power an "emissions-free utility."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

FERC allows storage to access New England real-time energy markets

The changes, effective April 1, are aimed at enabling energy storage technologies to more fully participate in the New England wholesale electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

New York moves to phase out older peaking plants as it targets 100% clean energy

A new state proposal would set lower thresholds for emissions of nitrogen oxides, and allow plant owners to meet the new standards in part by installing renewable or batteries.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

Business, enviro groups see strong prospects for Illinois 100% clean energy bill

Analysts consider energy efficiency essential to achieving a 100% renewables by 2050 goal, and the bill recommends extending the timeline for such energy saving programs to maximize benefits.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

Are city climate goals too ambitious? Leaders worry about compressed timelines

During a WRI-hosted media briefing, city sustainability leaders expressed concern that it may be too late to deal with the worst effects of climate change.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 28, 2019

TVA staff sees no need to add solar capacity until 2023

"There was a strategy in the draft IRP to promote efficient load shape and it emphasized energy efficiency, demand response, electrification and storage," said Jane Elliott, part of TVA's enterprise planning group.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 27, 2019

Bloomberg-backed accelerator to help cities meet renewable energy goals

The American Cities Climate Challenge Renewables Accelerator looks to help cities generate 2.8 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 26, 2019