Tackling 3 key issues can help scale virtual power plants and spur a wave of benefits, analysts say

Advanced operational software, communications standards and customer compensation are needed to scale VPP size and services, cut system and customer costs and enhance reliability, key VPP players agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 17, 2024

As states increasingly look to advanced nuclear, Wyoming, Virginia and Michigan lead the way

Their efforts are showing policymakers elsewhere how to attract emerging nuclear technologies and the skilled workers they need to operate, National Association of State Energy Officials President David Terry said.

By Brian Martucci • April 17, 2024

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

Surging demand growth spurs openings for advanced nuclear, grid technologies: DOE’s Crane

Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law funding are supporting new technologies, he said, but the "missing link" is permitting reform. “Without permitting reform, what we are hindering is new zero-carbon energy sources.”

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2024

The time is ripe for utilities to play a larger role in the energy transition

Utilities should provide upfront support to low- to moderate-income customers for residential electrification and decarbonization measures to prevent them from being stuck on the existing fossil fuel systems.

By Dan Bakal • April 16, 2024

VPPs, other advanced technologies could each expand existing US grid capacity 20-100 GW: DOE

Separately, AES and LineVision released a case study showing how using dynamic line ratings increased capacity on power lines in Indiana and Ohio.

By Ethan Howland • April 16, 2024

Constellation, generator trade groups back PJM plan to revert to original capacity auction results

However, Delaware and Maryland utility commissions contend the PJM plan should be rejected, telling the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission it would more than double capacity costs for ratepayers in their states.

By Ethan Howland • April 15, 2024

Power grids are facing more demand than ever. Policy needs to catch up.

There is a gap between operational realities and aspirational policies. That gap is growing, and not shrinking as it must.

By Todd Snitchler • April 15, 2024

House Republicans begin congressional challenge to SEC climate disclosure rule

House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry said the agency’s voluntary pause is “not enough.”

By Lamar Johnson • April 12, 2024

Pathways Initiative proposes independent power market organization for the West

The stakeholder group aims to establish an organization free of CAISO governance to run wholesale power markets, laying the groundwork for a possible regional transmission organization.

By Ethan Howland • April 11, 2024

SEC reiterates no scope 3 in final climate rule

Agency officials are starting to educate industry stakeholders and investors on the paused rule’s required disclosures while defending it in court.

By Lamar Johnson • April 10, 2024

FERC approves PJM’s $5.1B cost-share plan for transmission to be built by Dominion, others

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected arguments that Virginia should pay a larger share for projects driven by its data center policies.

By Ethan Howland • April 10, 2024

Can Retail Choice 2.0 succeed where Retail Choice 1.0 (maybe) failed?

Retail Choice 2.0 is capable of unlocking more value than ever, through smart meters, telecommunications infrastructure, AI, electrified homes and even social media, enabling both real-time feedback and customer education.

By Allison Bates Wannop • April 9, 2024

South Carolina advances bill that could spur gas power for Duke, Dominion utilities, hamper solar

Renewable developers EnergyRe and Pine Gate Renewables urged lawmakers to require that utilities add about 8 GW of solar from approved integrated resource plans, with offramps.

By Ethan Howland • April 9, 2024

These 8 nonprofits got $20B from the Biden administration for local clean energy financing. Now what?

The “green bank” funds must be obligated by September amid efforts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 8, 2024

Building decarbonization goes beyond energy efficiency, US Green Building Council says

Other pathways like electrification, clean power and building grid integration can help owners and operators reduce building emissions, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

By Nish Amarnath • April 8, 2024

SEC stays climate-risk disclosure rule as it works through legal challenges

The agency maintains that the regulation is within the agency’s authority and said it “will continue vigorously defending the Final Rules’ validity in court.”

By Lamar Johnson • April 5, 2024

Don’t count on FERC as the ‘big sugar daddy’ for new transmission, generation: Commissioner Christie

State utility regulators must have a central role in transmission planning and cost allocation, FERC Commissioner Mark Christie said Thursday. “You cannot cut states out of the process.”

By Ethan Howland • April 5, 2024

NRC should assess if its reactor licensing process adequately considers climate risks: GAO

The federal watchdog found that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s natural hazard assessments “do not fully consider potential climate change effects,” such as extreme heat, drought, wildfires and hurricanes.

By Brian Martucci • April 4, 2024

Grid reliability’s core challenge is governance, not a changing resource mix

An outdated and parochial oversight system is the biggest threat to U.S. grid reliability.

By Alexandra Klass, Josh Macey, Shelley Welton and Hannah Wiseman • April 4, 2024

Hawaiian Electric offers new incentives to customers with rooftop solar and battery storage

The company says it is streamlining programs for rooftop solar users to help the state meet its clean energy goals, but some customers could see smaller financial benefits.

By Patrick Cooley • April 3, 2024

New NRC licensing road map aims to add clarity for advanced reactor applications

The detailed guidance could “significantly reduce the regulatory uncertainty” for non-light water reactors submitting construction permit and licensing applications, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.

By Brian Martucci • April 3, 2024

Biden administration awards $4B in clean energy manufacturing tax credits

The money from the 48C credit spans 35 states and is part of a slate of tax incentives funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

By Kate Magill • April 3, 2024

Massachusetts commission recommends faster approvals of clean energy projects, infrastructure

The commission suggested the state issue a single, consolidated permit for clean energy projects and limit deliberation to a maximum of 15 months.

By Diana DiGangi • April 3, 2024

Supporting strategic end uses is key to making hydrogen hubs the building blocks to scale

We must deploy clean hydrogen strategically to decarbonize sectors of the economy that are hard to electrify and unlock its true potential to accelerate the phaseout of fossil fuels.

By Cihang Yuan and Daniel Riley • April 3, 2024

SEC asks 8th Circuit not to pause climate rule pending challenges

The agency said Liberty Energy and Nomad Proppant Services have “identified no imminent harm” that would justify halting the rule’s implementation.

By Lamar Johnson • April 1, 2024