EPRI launches consortium to develop power sector AI applications

“AI has the great potential to revolutionize the power sector by delivering the capability to enhance grid reliability, optimize asset performance and enable more efficient energy management," EPRI’s Mansoor said.

US deploys record energy storage in 2024, but Trump policies cloud outlook: WoodMac/ACP

Energy storage installations exceeded 12 GW in 2024 despite a 20% year-over-year drop in the fourth quarter, according to the latest Energy Storage Monitor.

Nissan, SK On announce $661M EV battery supply deal

The automaker will use the batteries for electric vehicles manufactured at its assembly plant in Mississippi.

MISO proposes framework to speed generation interconnection

But the Clean Grid Alliance said the proposed Expedited Resource Addition Study process “overcomplicates an already complex system.”

Federal judge blocks EPA’s $14B GGRF funding freeze

The EPA “proffered no evidence to support their basis for the sudden terminations, or that they followed the proper procedures,” said U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. 

EPA yanks air quality permit for 1.5-GW Atlantic Shores offshore wind project

EPA Region 2 requested the permit remand as part of President Trump’s mandated review of offshore wind projects, the agency said.

Utility energy efficiency investment hit record $8.8B in 2023: ACEEE

Utilities are investing more than ever to reduce bills and cut emissions, but the increases are concentrated in just a few states, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy concluded in its policy scorecard. 

Labor-industry collaboration is key to US energy security, dominance and job growth

The power grid requires a workforce equipped to design, install and maintain a system that integrates increased energy production, new energy sources, smart grid technologies and energy storage.

Hawaiian utility contracts for solar-plus-storage projects from AES

Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative will pay up to $133.40/MWh and $127/MWh for power from the two projects, which will displace higher cost oil-fired generation.

Some SMRs could bypass environmental review step under Arizona bill

Utilities building SMRs in rural Arizona could skip a review step if the units are colocated with certain large industrial loads or built at power plants that previously received environmental certification.

‘Purchaser-caused’ certificates are key to driving renewable energy growth

Market leaders — clean energy buyers, sellers and standard-setters alike — must acknowledge which renewable energy procurement approaches directly cause new capacity.

DTE Energy seeks proposals for 450 MW of energy storage

Eligible projects must be located in Michigan, serve the Midcontinent Independent System Operator or local distribution grids and be ready to operate by the end of 2028, DTE said.

Southwest Power Pool could need $263B generation investment by 2050: Brattle

The Southwestern grid operator could need up to to 48 GW of new wind generation, 130 GW of solar and 59 GW of battery storage in the next quarter century.

Schneider Electric, NVIDIA, ETAP collaboration set to advance data center efficiency, operations

The digital twins will analyze inputs, like those from mechanical, thermal and electrical systems, to help operators manage data center facilities in real-time, the companies say.

PJM’s capacity ‘price collar’ proposal sparks market confidence concerns

North Carolina regulators and others urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the plan, partly because of its proposed price floor.

Santee Cooper wants to sell its unfinished reactors. What happens next?

Completing V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3 could spark a “nuclear renaissance,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says, but questions remain on the project’s scope, timeline and cost.

Industry groups, utilities encourage more ‘efficient’ Part 53 changes

The Nuclear Energy Institute and other organizations weighed in last month on the latest version of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s technology-neutral Part 53 licensing pathway. 

New York state offers $5M for existing building energy innovations

Providers that have already received federal, state, local or other incentive funds can receive up to $1 million to accelerate development of their energy efficiency solutions, the state energy research authority says.

Microgrids called a low-burden way to ensure backup power

Facilities managers can lower upfront costs and avoid disruptive maintenance checks by subscribing to a resiliency-as-a-service platform, a microgrid executive says.

California PUC approves battery storage safety rules

The rules require battery storage facility owners to develop emergency response and emergency action plans.

FERC reaffirms approval of Southeastern SEEM market

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected arguments made by Advanced Energy United, the Clean Energy Buyers Association and others that the market unfairly limits market access.

How thermal batteries unlock a more flexible, reliable and efficient grid

In addition to providing clean energy for nearly every industrial sector, thermal batteries have the potential to serve as a linchpin for a reliable low-emissions grid.

Kentucky Power customers pay for AEP transmission without benefit, state officials say in complaint

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should order American Electric Power to overhaul a transmission cost-sharing pact among its Eastern utilities, Kentucky officials said.

MISO overstates transmission plan benefits by excluding Invenergy project: market monitor

Potomac Economics called for increased oversight of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s transmission planning in a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

IRA credits and energy demand continue to drive renewables investments

Despite the Trump administration’s focus on fossil fuels and opposition to the IRA, analysts anticipate the renewables market will continue benefiting from high energy demand.