The biggest numbers game in the power sector: Data analytics and the utility community of the future

Data analytics are helping utilities improve operations and customer engagement, but a decentralized transactive energy network is in the works and will require additional computing advances.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2019

Mandate or not? Colorado speaker, governor debate path to 90% carbon reductions

A Colorado bill aims to decrease carbon emissions 90% below 2005 levels by 2050, following conflict within the Democratic leadership in the state over whether to mandate or guide the path to such reductions.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 25, 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

Majority of coal plants are uneconomic to nearby wind, solar, report finds

Nearly three quarters of U.S. coal generators cost more to operate last year than replacing them with renewables within 35 miles, according to a report from Vibrant Clean Energy and Energy Innovation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 25, 2019

As 100% renewables mandate nears, Puerto Rico sees new microgrid initiative, resilience focus

The U.S. territory's legislature expects to send a bill to the governor's desk on Monday, mandating the use of 100% renewable energy generation by 2050.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 22, 2019

Report: San Francisco has the most solar jobs in the nation

California remained the top state for solar, with 76,838 jobs. Eight of the top 10 counties for solar jobs are also in California.

By Jason Plautz • March 21, 2019

Missouri regulators approve $2.3B Grain Belt Express transmission line, but fight not over

The project, which would move about 4 GW of wind energy from western Kansas through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, will likely require the use of eminent domain to be completed.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2019

California ALJ proposes statewide renewable energy procurement for utilities

Integrated resource plans submitted by the state's utilities and CCAs would not reduce greenhouse gases enough to meet state goals, an Administrative Law Judge ruled Monday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 20, 2019

Nevada legislators introduce 100% carbon-free bill, with provision to include all energy providers

The legislation also mandates a 50% renewable portfolio standard, which voters in the state preliminarily approved as a ballot initiative in November.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 20, 2019

EPS Ep. 9: DOE renewables chief vows support for office amid proposed budget cuts

Assistant Secretary Dan Simmons used to work for an organization that advocated the elimination of the office he currently heads. Now he says he supports DOE's renewable energy mission.

By Gavin Bade • March 19, 2019

Maine renews net metering as lawmakers prep new clean energy, utility reform bills

Policymakers are mulling aggressive actions to change the state's energy landscape, including purchasing Maine's two investor-owned utilities and converting them to a customer-owned model.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 18, 2019

Kentucky rolls back net metering, bucking recent pro-solar trend elsewhere

Legislation approved Thursday contrasts with two recent wins for solar deployment in Maine and Arkansas, where both business and ratepayer advocates favored eliminating market barriers.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 18, 2019

As first US utility-scale offshore wind project nears approval, supply chain, permitting come into focus

Despite a lack of domestic components and a complex permitting process, Vineyard Wind is confident in its ability to move forward this summer with construction of its 800 MW project off the coast of Massachusetts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 18, 2019

How Arkansas eliminated third-party solar barriers in a red state

Third-party finance limitations and project size caps impeded solar growth in Arkansas, but lowering market barriers drew support from bipartisan lawmakers and business interests, pushing utilities to compromise.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 15, 2019

Market Monitor: 3 GW nukes, 12 GW coal uneconomic in PJM

The only nuclear plants receiving market signals to retire are one-unit generators, Monitoring Analytics said, and the only one to recieve a state subsidy "did not need" it.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 15, 2019

FPL proposes country's largest community solar project at 1,490 MW

If approved by Florida regulators, the project would more than double U.S. community solar capacity, currently at 1,387 MW.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 14, 2019

As US solar expands, states increasingly tackle compensation and community project complexities

Years of debate by "nerds in beige rooms" has led to today's booming solar market, but solar policy is becoming even more complicated.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 14, 2019

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

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

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

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