Partnering with consumers in the wake of climate disaster

How utilities can use consumer-focused tech to fight climate change.

By Devrim Celal, CEO of KrakenFlex, part of the Octopus Energy Group • June 20, 2023

Proposed update to public land rules could provide 80% reduction in renewable project fees, says Interior

The Department of the Interior said it hopes to increase the economic certainty of renewables projects sited on public land by reducing costs for developers, and pass along savings to ratepayers.

By Diana DiGangi • June 16, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

DOE launches 7th round of solar innovation competition, offering $4M in prizes

The prizes for hardware and software solutions are intended to spur innovations in the solar sector and address challenges to deployment.

By Diana DiGangi • June 15, 2023

IRS guidance on renewable tax credit transferability, direct-pay provisions of IRA, garners mixed reviews

Inflexibility around the Inflation Reduction Act’s domestic content requirements threatens nonprofits’ ability to own and develop renewable energy, Large Public Power Council President John Di Stasio said.

By Emma Penrod • June 15, 2023

How the debt ceiling bill’s permitting deal hurt the outlook for deeper reforms, transmission legislation

With prospects for legislation reduced, the focus on transmission turns to FERC. Acting Chairman Willie Phillips aims to issue final interconnection reforms soon and will push for increased transfer capacity between regions.

By Ethan Howland • June 14, 2023

California’s urban roofs provide more value for community solar+storage than rural areas: report

State and federal incentives could help “ensure that not all of our community solar is getting built in the cheapest areas out in rural locations,” said a solar developer’s Western policy director.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 13, 2023

Duke Energy sells 3.4-GW commercial renewables business to Brookfield for $2.8B

The utility company said it plans to use the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and focus on growing its regulated business.

By Diana DiGangi • Updated Oct. 26, 2023

Regulators are changing the game just as ESG investing gets its bearings: ACORE panel

ESG funds have exploded in popularity in recent years, but their success has attracted backlash from politicians and increased oversight from regulators, finance experts said.

By Emma Penrod • June 9, 2023

An IRA renewables boom amid economic uncertainty will require reimagining financing, say bankers

Financing the number of proposed renewable energy projects “is going to stress the entire banking system unless we start to bring in other investors, like insurance companies,” said Wells Fargo executive Alok Garg.

By Diana DiGangi • June 9, 2023

Consumer groups, R Street urge FERC to expand interconnection reform proposal to increase savings

“Rapidly escalating interconnection costs are being heavily incurred by consumers,” the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman said.

By Ethan Howland • June 9, 2023

Washington regulators conditionally approve Puget Sound Energy’s 63% clean electricity by 2025 target

The interim target is part of Puget Sound Energy’s first-ever clean energy implementation plan, required by state legislation passed in 2019.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 9, 2023

Post-IRA optimism continues for renewable energy developers, but have expectations soared too high?

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act is proceeding apace, but unrealistic expectations for how quickly the U.S. can develop transmission and a domestic supply chain abound, experts say.

By Emma Penrod • June 8, 2023

As states differ on the benefits of Bitcoin, is there a solution to its climate and power-system impacts?

Bitcoin miners’ 24/7 electricity need and financial focus raise red flags for climate activists about increased fossil fuel use, but some miners are starting to see a new solution in clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2023

Offshore wind news and policy: Tracking the latest US developments

Updates include California legislation allowing the Port of Long Beach to expedite its construction of Pier Wind — an offshore wind turbine assembly facility — and additional information on the Carolina Long Bay project.

By Diana DiGangi and Jasmine Ye Han • Updated Nov. 14, 2024

As offshore wind projects and policies grow, floating turbines will be key to Biden’s 30 GW by 2030 goal

With 16 farms under construction, offshore wind in the U.S. has “achieved key momentum,” says the Department of Energy’s offshore wind lead, Jocelyn Brown-Saracino.

By Diana DiGangi • June 6, 2023

Constellation sets hydrogen-gas plant blending record, but more advances needed for utility-scale use: experts

Constellation Energy’s Hillabee Generating Station ran on 38% hydrogen during a May 18 test, setting new expectations for the fuel’s potential to reduce emissions from gas-fired power plants.

By Emma Penrod • June 5, 2023

Hundreds of US localities restrict renewables siting, with 293 projects currently contested: Columbia report

”Local opposition to renewable energy facilities is widespread and growing,” according to the report.

By Diana DiGangi • June 5, 2023

As Google, Meta, others ramp up clean energy buying, ‘carbon matching’ offers cheapest path: report

Companies have contracted for 77 GW of clean energy in the U.S., up from about 10 GW in 2017, and are seeking expanded options for buying more emissions-free electricity.

By Ethan Howland • June 5, 2023

AI, climate change, fuel cells among energy transition ‘disconnects’ for utilities: Morgan Stanley

“Not all incumbent utilities will gain from the energy transition,” analysts said in a report issued Wednesday. Those that could be challenged include Consolidated Edison, Entergy and NextEra.

By Ethan Howland • June 2, 2023

IHG ups sustainability efforts with community solar offerings for US hotels

IHG will provide renewable energy certificates to participating hotels, furthering the company’s 10-year march toward a 46% energy emissions reduction target.

By Noelle Mateer • June 2, 2023

Treasury issues further guidance for IRA’s $10B tax credit incentivizing clean energy manufacturing

The 48C investment tax credit and a related manufacturing tax credit, 45X, are “very substantial” credits that many companies aren’t aware of, said Moss Adams partner and certified public accountant Peter Henderson.

By Diana DiGangi • June 1, 2023

Record Q1 global wind turbine orders suggest US installation downturn is poised to end: WoodMac

Installations have yet to catch up with prior records, but an uptick in order activity suggests the industry has begun to turn a corner, a Wood Mackenzie analyst said.

By Emma Penrod • June 1, 2023

Environmental review of offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico finds ‘no significant impacts’: BOEM

The next step in the leasing process for the Gulf is for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to issue a final sale notice, which it plans to do later this year.

By Diana DiGangi • May 31, 2023

Full industrial electrification could more than double US power demand. Here’s how renewables can meet it.

Accelerating industrial electrification requires policymakers to ensure increased electricity demand is supplied with new least-cost clean generation in rural areas with high-quality renewable resources.

By Eric Gimon • May 31, 2023

Eversource sells 50% stake in offshore wind lease to partner Ørsted as it seeks a buyer for 3 other sites

CEO Joe Nolan said Eversource remains “fully committed to being a catalyst to the region’s clean energy transition” as its regulated companies build facilities to transmit more than 9,000 MW of offshore wind generation.

By Stephen Singer • May 26, 2023