DOE study calls for ramping up solar installation to 60 GW per year by 2025, but getting there could prove challenging, analyst says

Supply-side constraints have already begun to create bottlenecks and increase costs in U.S. solar installations, calling into question the ability to meet ambitious expansion plans.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 9, 2021

DOE funds $25M consortium to develop grid-scale inverters, standards

Decarbonized energy systems could use large-scale inverters to drive the grid. A new federally-funded consortium aims to develop the technology by 2035.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 8, 2021

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

Key regulatory decision leaves California reliability issues unresolved, aggravates tensions

In the long process to figure out how to share "attributes" of IOU legacy resources needed to meet state renewables mandates, a major decision could weaken collaboration between traditional and new load-serving entities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2021

As DOE ramps up Hydrogen Shot initiative, debate about means of production begins

While some officials view hydrogen as an "all of the above fuel" that could be produced in regions rich in either fossil fuels or renewable energy, others argue in favor of regulations to rule out fossil-based production.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 7, 2021

Pacificorp updated IRP includes 6.7 GW storage, 5.6 GW solar, but NGOs blast fossil fuel component

The utility for the first time also included non-emitting peaking resources and new advanced nuclear in its preferred portfolio.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 3, 2021

Full and open transmission competition is key to boosting grid reliability and renewables in California

We need to put all options on the table to keep the lights on for California while we break new ground in the energy transition, writes Stanford University's Michael Wara.

By Michael Wara • Sept. 3, 2021

LA approves 100% clean energy by 2035 target, a decade ahead of prior goal

The goal puts the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on track for an aggressive transition that backers said would present a model for the nation.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 2, 2021

Wind energy's record 2020 growth to continue this year, but deployment could slow in 2022, DOE finds

Wind industry growth is likely to continue through 2021, according to a Department of Energy report released Monday, but market conditions point to rising prices, and deployment may slow absent policy support, experts say.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 1, 2021

Duke explores shutting coal-fired plants by 2030 in South Carolina plans

The revised plans come after South Carolina regulators voted in late June to reject the utility's previous proposals and send the company back to the drawing board.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Sept. 1, 2021

Solar power in trucking's forecast as fleets find energy, cost savings

Marten Transport, Mesilla Valley Transportation and Rush Enterprises are just a few industry players betting on the power of the sun.

By Heather Larson • Aug. 25, 2021

Generators, labor groups urge New York to develop incentives for nonrenewable generation

The effort could lead to investments in carbon capture and other low-emissions technology, but conservation advocates call it misguided and urge a focus on more renewables, transmission and storage.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2021

WRI lays out options for large energy users to decarbonize beyond renewables procurement

Innovative models that can make a larger impact on the energy transition, including approaches major corporate and municipal buyers are using, are a focus of the report.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 23, 2021

How a long-term view of LCOE can maximize the value of solar projects

A long-term and holistic view of LCOE — one that acknowledges the unique role trackers play — is an important step in that direction. 

Aug. 23, 2021

Solar could be 40% of US generation by 2035, but it needs more investment, White House report finds

Groups such as SEIA and ACORE greeted the recent Biden administration report on the potential growth of the solar industry with enthusiasm, saying they hope additional work on tax reform is in progress.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 20, 2021

Will hydrogen usher in a new era of collaboration between gas and electric utilities?

With hundreds of businesses from dozens of industries eyeing hydrogen as a key opportunity for future growth, gas utilities have started to make a case for their role in the clean energy economy. But not everyone shares their vision.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 19, 2021

California regulatory judge recommends more aggressive 2030 emissions target for power sector

The ruling also touches on broader reliability issues in the state, including Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent emergency proclamation and the potential for offshore wind development.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 18, 2021

As momentum for hydrogen builds, electric utilities chart multiple paths forward

Utilities interested in the hydrogen market are considering the fuel for carbon-free generation and for new business models on the horizon.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 18, 2021

Hydrogen could fill multiple gaps in the US energy system, but will energy regulations allow it to?

Experts say green hydrogen will require a regulatory framework unlike any other in the energy industry. And developing that regime, they assert, could benefit the entire grid.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 17, 2021

An ideal marriage? The battle to match US clean energy demand with excess Canadian hydropower

It would seem like the perfect match — a surplus of Canadian hydropower with a grid in the United States that is hungry for more renewable power sources. But moving that power is proving to be complicated.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 16, 2021

PSEG unloads fossil fuel plants for $1.9B in push toward decarbonization

PSEG is taking another big step towards cleaning up its grid, with the New Jersey utility announcing plans on Thursday to sell a 6,750 MW portfolio of fossil-fuel plants for $1.92 billion.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 13, 2021

As Senate passes infrastructure bill, Democrats eye opportunity for more energy spending

A $3.5 trillion budget resolution, approved by the Senate early this morning, contains more tax credits and incentives for renewable energy, including a clean electricity payment program.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 11, 2021

Dominion planning 'largest clean energy submission to date' in Virginia filing

In its second quarter earnings call, CEO Robert Blue said the utility is aggressively pushing forward clean energy solutions, spending $17 billion on zero-carbon generation and storage over the next five years.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2021

Push for green energy could strand more than $68B in coal and gas assets, S&P says

New natural gas plants could lose as much value as recent investments in coal due to accelerating renewable energy deployments, an S&P report finds — but not for the same reasons.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 9, 2021

Leaning on solar to help meet D.C.'s renewable energy goals

Learn how the DCPSC's energy policies brought stakeholders, policymakers, residents, and businesses together to meet D.C.'s climate goals.

Aug. 9, 2021

Duke Energy's renewable portfolio hits 10,000 MW as utility reports Q2 earnings

The utility is on its way to more than double its renewable power portfolio by the end of the decade, executives said Thursday.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 6, 2021