How grid operators are leaving F-gases, fossils and inefficiency behind

For heavy emitting sectors, such as the electricity industry, pressure is intensifying to find solutions to slash emissions and lower its carbon footprint.  

Feb. 14, 2022

US senators express bipartisan support for hydrogen as states vie to become hydrogen 'hubs'

Although many see hydrogen as a "game-changing fuel" for decarbonizing the U.S. economy, experts flagged that Europe and Asia are ahead on adopting the resource, with the EU setting a goal for 40 GW deployment by 2030.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 11, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Texas gas generators fared better than wind during last week's winter storm: ERCOT

The Texas grid operator has made progress on weatherization and market reforms, but observers say last week's winter storm was not a real test of the electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2022

PJM stakeholders advance interconnection reform plan to speed process, clear clean energy backlog

The widely endorsed plan includes a two-year pause on new interconnection applications to give PJM time to clear out a backlog of interconnection requests — mostly renewable and energy storage proposals.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 11, 2022

Solar panel assembler files petition seeking antidumping review of Southeast Asia imports

Auxin Solar alleges that Chinese solar panel makers are shipping cheap components to Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to avoid paying duties that have been in place since 2012.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 10, 2022

PNM, AEP executives, other utility leaders meet with Biden to push clean energy tax measures

Utilities, renewable advocates and others are urging Congress to pass climate-related legislation, but the outlook is unclear.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 10, 2022

EIA: Utility emission goals will have minimal impact beyond carbon reductions already taking place

Most corporate utility emissions goals will result in few actions that were not already on track to happen, an EIA report finds. Greater reductions will require broader societal effort, according to the Electric Power Research Institute.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 9, 2022

ISO-NE plan to extend MOPR through 2024 faces uncertain fate at FERC, experts say

The delay in eliminating the minimum offer price rule could slow renewable development in New England, according to clean energy advocates. However, a power market consultant disagrees.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 9, 2022

California's omission of community solar from distributed energy policies is shortsighted

Community solar can make moot the controversies surrounding behind-the-meter solar and enable new approaches that can maximize societal value for all Californians, the authors write.

By Anna Brockway and Duncan Callaway • Feb. 8, 2022

Biden extends solar tariff 4 years, eases Trump-era requirements

The extension doubles the quota of solar cells and upholds the exclusion of bifacial modules, moves the solar industry welcomed.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 7, 2022

Microsoft, Google, other corporate buyers get creative as demand for renewable energy spikes

Corporate renewable energy procurement continues to break records and shows no signs of slowing. Market leaders say the relentless demand is prompting buyers to consider creative solutions and assume more risk.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 7, 2022

Georgia Power to go coal-free by 2028, double renewables by 2035, but advocates decry gas plans

The utility's latest Integrated Resource Plan notes plans for 1,000 MW of energy storage by 2030, 2,300 MW of solar over the next 3 years, and more than 2.3 GW of natural gas from existing natural gas resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 3, 2022

Appeals court decision opens door to sue public power utilities for rooftop solar fees under antitrust law

Arizona’s Salt River Project is headed back to court after a new ruling reinstated antitrust ligation against the utility for allegedly raising rates to discourage independent solar generation.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 2, 2022

Brookfield Renewable picks up 20 GW of solar, storage projects as developers seek strategic acquisitions

The $650 million acquisition of Virginia-based developer Urban Grid will triple Brookfield’s current project pipeline and comes with access to "high value" markets, a company spokesperson said.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 1, 2022

California utilities' brazen plan to kill rooftop solar

California's proposed net metering update greatly exaggerates what rooftop solar owners should pay for use of the grid and ignores the environmental benefits that rooftop solar provides, the author writes.

By William Schulze • Feb. 1, 2022

Breakthroughs in generation and system integration are driving the utility of the future, analysts say

The new technologies will reverse the supply-demand equation and bring competitive procurement and a transaction platform to merge the bulk power and distribution systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2022

WEC Energy to pilot hydrogen fuel in Michigan natural gas plant

The pilot study, to take place later this year, will test whether hydrogen might serve as a bridge between existing natural gas power plants and a fully decarbonized energy system.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 27, 2022

Musk vows to accelerate Tesla solar and energy storage business in 2022

After the company's solar and storage business was "shortchanged" in 2021 amid production constraints, Tesla's CEO said the company is aiming for a "pretty vast" clean energy business. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 27, 2022

DOE leverages new and existing authorities to spur transmission development key to energy transition

The transmission deployment program melds existing authority with the infrastructure bill to bolster project planning, permitting and financing, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2022

Sen. Smith to push ahead on passage of clean energy tax credits

While optimistic about the passage of the Build Back Better bill, Democrats are considering separating climate-related aspects of the legislation that could earn support from a majority of the Senate.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 26, 2022

MidAmerican files for approval of final 2 GW needed to meet 100% clean energy goal

The approval and eventual construction of the project would represent the finish line for the 100% clean energy goal MidAmerican established in 2014, a company spokesperson said.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 25, 2022

2022 Utility Dive Outlook

Utility Dive examines priorities, expectations and trends for three key subjects — FERC, rate design and renewable energy — along with a broader roundup of some of the U.S. power sector trends to watch in the year ahead.

Jan. 24, 2022

New York regulators tap ConEdison to help interconnect up to 6 GW of offshore wind

The request to design an interconnection hub comes as the federal government announced a February auction of leasing areas in the New York Bight that could support up to 7 GW of offshore wind.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 24, 2022

2022 Outlook: US solar and wind boom continues despite supply chain woes, Build Back Better uncertainty

Experts agree that many provisions in the pending legislation are essential to expand renewable energy deployment, but demand continues to build as more risk-averse investors show interest in the market.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 21, 2022

Tri-State ramps up GHG reduction goals in Colorado filing

In a settlement agreement with state agencies and environmentalists, the cooperative will accelerate its emissions goals and boost energy efficiency measures. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 20, 2022