Generation

  • Water rushing out of hydro dam.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kat72 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council should appoint a ‘hydropower czar’

    Federal hydropower can help meet load growth, onshore manufacturing of key defense components and help address burdensome regulations.

    By Charles Yang • Feb. 25, 2025
  • High-voltage electric power lines run across a snowy field.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Patrick Finnegan is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    US governors press for infrastructure permitting reform

    The governors also aim to ensure that the federal government meets its obligations for federally funded projects, the National Governors Association said.

    By • Feb. 24, 2025
  • Rural lane meanders among modern windmill technology and steel electrical pylons. Laramie, Wyoming, 2009 Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

    The U.S. energy transition is facing challenges around grid interconnections, project permitting and power system reliability, but state, federal and other solutions are emerging.

    By Utility Dive staff
  • Solar panels in a field next to a coal-fired power plant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    marekuliasz via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Leveraging surplus interconnection could unleash 800 GW of energy the US needs today

    By using existing interconnection sites to plug in low-cost clean energy sources, energy planners can increase grid reliability and lower costs.

    By Cassady Craighill • Feb. 21, 2025
  • Steam rises from one of two large cement towers, with buildings and a parking lot in the foreground.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    FERC launches colocation review, plus 6 other open meeting takeaways

    Final colocation rules aren’t likely until 2026, creating uncertainty for Vistra, Talen Energy and other independent power producers, Capstone analysts said.

    By • Updated Feb. 21, 2025
  • Nuclear power plant after sunset. Dusk landscape with big chimneys.
    Image attribution tooltip
    vlastas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Uncertainty surrounds nuclear tax credit guidance, NRC changes: Morgan Lewis

    It’s not yet clear what President Trump’s Feb. 18 order reining in executive-branch agencies means for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, attorney Scott Clausen said.

    By Brian Martucci • Feb. 20, 2025
  • A Maas Energy Works anaerobic digestion lagoon
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Maas Energy Works
    Image attribution tooltip

    Biogas project investment increased 40% in 2024, industry group says

    The agricultural sector is now moving faster than landfills to bring facilities online, but landfills account for 72% of total U.S. biogas production capacity, according to a new report from the American Biogas Council.

    By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 18, 2025
  • Nuclear power plant on a shore of Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, on a winter sunny day.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Achieving energy dominance without leaving small customers behind

    Addressing load growth must be done in a way that ensures rate stability for all and avoids an energy system that houses haves and have nots.

    By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Feb. 18, 2025
  • Construction worker wearing hard hat with background of digital wires.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo illustration by ScottMadden; photographs by Viks_jin and amiak via Adobe Stock

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by ScottMadden

    Practical AI for utilities: How to prioritize and scale real-world use cases

    Many utilities are still piloting basic use cases for AI technologies, but building momentum for broader adoption requires a structured approach.

    By Luke Martin • Feb. 18, 2025
  • An electricity meter covered in snow.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Valerie Loiseleux via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    New Jersey residential customers face 20% bill hikes, driven by PJM capacity prices: BPU

    New Jersey regulators must carefully examine utility filings with an eye toward keeping electricity affordable, the state’s ratepayer advocate said.

    By • Updated Feb. 13, 2025
  • Transformers and power transmission lines at a power distribution yard August 18, 2003 in Des Plaines, Illinois.
    Image attribution tooltip
    (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images) via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Transformer supply bottleneck threatens power system stability as load grows

    Electric transformers are critical to managing power system reliability. Solutions to the bottleneck are emerging, but long wait times remain.

    By • Feb. 12, 2025
  • Natural gas fired turbine power plant with it's cooling towers rising into a cloud filled blue sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FERC approves PJM’s fast-track power plant interconnection plan

    However, agency commissioners said they are concerned the PJM Interconnection’s proposal for shovel-ready projects may not adequately address potential capacity shortfalls.

    By • Feb. 12, 2025
  • High voltage electric tower on a snowy day in the mountains.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dudbrain via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Using energy storage to bridge gaps in gas-electric coordination

    Energy storage offers a powerful solution for harmonizing gas and electric systems, providing flexibility and reliability for the grid.

    By Carrie Zalewski • Feb. 10, 2025
  • A natural gas fired turbine power plant with it's cooling towers rising into a blue sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Alabama Power’s $622M deal to buy Tenaska power plant faces challenge at FERC

    The utility and Tenaska failed to adequately show the deal wouldn’t give Alabama Power and Southern Co. entities market power, according to Public Citizen and other groups.

    By • Updated Feb. 11, 2025
  • ge-vernova
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of GE Vernova
    Image attribution tooltip

    GE Vernova to invest nearly $600M in US factories

    The energy equipment manufacturer will create over 1,500 jobs as it expands its nuclear, solar and onshore wind energy sectors.

    By Joelle Anselmo • Feb. 7, 2025
  • An industrial complex with three smokestacks in a rural setting.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of GE Vernova
    Image attribution tooltip

    RTOs could fast-track dispatchable generation under House, Senate bills

    The legislation would let dispatchable generation jump ahead in interconnection queues after a review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

    By • Feb. 7, 2025
  • An electric power plant with cooling towers and smoke stacks.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Analogue Kid is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    DOE to focus on expanding baseload generation: Secretary Wright

    “Net-zero policies raise energy costs for American families and businesses, threaten the reliability of our energy system, and undermine our energy and national security,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.

    By • Feb. 6, 2025
  • An electric utility power line crew works to upgrade a transmission line tower.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Zview via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Utilities await clarity on DOE loans as decisive court battle looms

    The Trump administration will likely scrutinize funding for renewables and climate change mitigation, potentially affecting outlays for critical grid investments, experts say.

    By Brian Martucci • Feb. 5, 2025
  • A wind turbine near a fossil fuel power plant in Massachusetts
    Image attribution tooltip
    Maudib via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Banks improving clean energy finance ratios, still well short of net-zero pace: report

    “The ratio isn’t evolving at the pace needed to hit the 4:1 level required this decade under commonly referenced scenarios to limit climate change to 1.5 [degrees Celsius],” according to BloombergNEF.

    By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 5, 2025
  • Close-up shot of a man sitting at a desk
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Where Trump officials stand on renewable natural gas

    Newly confirmed agency heads have committed to working with Congress on biofuels, though some supportive federal programs may be at risk. Meanwhile, companies like Waga Energy and BerQ RNG are growing their portfolios.

    By Jacob Wallace • Feb. 4, 2025
  • A man in a blue suit speaks while gesturing with his hands.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Senate confirms Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright as DOE secretary

    Wright aims to expand U.S. power supplies — including renewable energy — to help lower electricity prices, he said during his Senate confirmation hearing.

    By • Feb. 4, 2025
  • A group of wind turbines and an electrical substation.
    Image attribution tooltip
    NanoStockk via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FERC approves MISO interconnection queue cap proposal

    Rejecting arguments from clean energy trade groups, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s plan wouldn’t hurt competition or reduce grid access.

    By • Feb. 3, 2025
  • The U.S. and Texas flags fly in front of high voltage transmission towers.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Texas eyes 765-kV transmission lines in regional ‘transmission race’

    Utility regulators are concerned about the potential for costs to spiral and supply chain constraints to slow development. 

    By • Feb. 3, 2025
  • Transmission towers in fog at dawn.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrei Ksenzhuk via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    2025 US power sector outlook

    The second Trump administration has ramped up energy transition uncertainty. Meanwhile, electricity demand from data centers and electrification continues to grow, and the resource mix is changing.

    By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2025
  • Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum speaks during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on January 16, 2025.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Senate confirms Doug Burgum as Interior secretary

    The former governor of North Dakota says he supports an “all of the above” approach to generation, but he joins an administration focused on oil and gas production.

    By • Jan. 31, 2025
  • Inside a data center for cryptocurrency mining with endless racks of CPU and motherboards.
    Image attribution tooltip
    luza studios via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bitcoin miner Stronghold to pay $1.4M to settle charges it violated PJM market rules

    Stronghold failed to meet its must-offer capacity obligation by using power it produced to run bitcoin mining rigs, according to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-approved settlement agreement.

    By • Jan. 31, 2025