Montana utility withdraws bid for residential demand charge for DER customers

Montana Dakota Utilities withdrew its residential demand charge request, but still wants higher fixed charges and a boost in volumetric rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

The top 5 trends in distributed energy policy and rate design

From coast to coast, regulators are focused on net metering and rate design considering distributed resources, but analysts warn that such issues are "just the tip of the iceberg." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

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

100 MW of Mass. commerical solar at risk from failure to reach net metering compromise

The Massachusetts legislature lack of compromise on the state's net metering cap for commercial solar installations means such projects will likely take a hit, but residential solar still expected to flourish. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Major solar installer advocates expiration of solar investment tax credit

The extension of the 30% federal tax credit is not needed for the continued health of the industry, Sunnova's CEO wrote to congressional leaders this week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2015

Wisconsin utility rolls out plan for 30% renewables by 2030

The Wisconsin-based Madison Gas and Electric Co. plans to supply 30% of its retail power sales with renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

The future of rate design: Why the utility industry may shift away from fixed charges

A focus on fixed charges is giving way to more comprehensive rate structures for utilities, but big questions loom on the horizon for regulators. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

How solar will grow through the ITC sunset and beyond

The ITC reversion is expected to deliver the first year-over-year downturn in the U.S. solar market, but brighter days will follow for the industry, according to a new GTM report.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Split in Mass. legislature leaves net metering cap, solar industry in limbo

Both branches of the state legislature failed to reach a compromise Wednesday night on lifting the state's solar cap, leaving it in the hands of a joint committee.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

MidAmerican to test concrete wind turbine tower claimed to be nation's tallest

Concrete towers can allow turbines to reach higher, accessing stronger winds and making wind viable in new regions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Despite record low solar prices, study says Austin Energy should build a new gas plant

A Navigant study assessing Austin Energy's need for new generation found a $500 million gas-fired facility makes the most economic sense even as the city forges ahead with 55% renewables goal. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

WGL plots $200M, 150 MW distributed solar investment in 2016

"The future of energy requires the integration of renewable resources," said WGL Energy President Sanjiv Maha.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Eversource, National Grid gas-reliant RFPs run afoul of state rules, greens say

Acadia Center and a group of clean energy developers want the utilities to redraft a request for proposals centered on natural gas storage and transportation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Time-of-use rates can shape customer usage, cut pollution and costs, experts agree

Retail electricity rates tied to hourly wholesale power market costs could shape consumer usage, executives told Platts last week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Sierra Club's Ameren shareholder resolution seeks 30% renewables by 2030

The environmental advocacy group had shares donated to it from a deceased member, and is using them to attempt to push the utility toward cleaner generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Remote Alaskan town turns to cold-weather battery microgrid as diesel alternative

The system, designed specifically for cold temperatures, will be used to reduce dependence on dirty generation and combat high electrical and fuel transportation costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2015

Rocky Mtn Power will compare cost to serve solar customers before fixed charge decision

Utah regulators want more information on the costs and benefits of distributed generation before a decision on fixed charges. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 16, 2015

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Utilities spend $2.3M backing Florida solar initiative against 3rd party sales

Two groups are battling to put competing solar policy initiatives on Florida's ballot next November, with the utility-backed side raising millions more than the other side in October. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

TPO showdown: Duke faces off against greens over NC church's solar array

NC WARN is testing the limits of North Carolina third party ownership law and Duke wants to put a stop to it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Mississippi's three largest solar projects get regulatory approval

The three projects would total 105 MW when complete.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015