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

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

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

2022 Outlook: A new recognition is coming of rate design’s critical role in the energy transition

More precise time-varying rates, technology-neutral rates for distributed energy resources, and new ways to use smart technologies could make for a cleaner, lower cost, more reliable power system, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2022

2022 Outlook: Top US power sector trends to watch

The Biden administration entered 2022 with some key strengths and significant challenges to implementing its clean energy agenda, but states, companies and others are continuing to advance the energy transition.

By Kavya Balaraman, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton and Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2022

SOO Green transmission project faces PJM obstacles: Are grid operators hindering the energy transition?

PJM and other grid operators face challenges in facilitating innovation, experts say. A former FERC commissioner offers an alternative approach.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2022

Interior Department announces New York Bight lease auction for up to 7 GW of offshore wind

The Biden administration sent another signal to the clean energy sector while continuing to press for passage of the Build Back Better bill.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 13, 2022

Idaho Power to accelerate coal retirements, add 3.8 GW clean energy

Idaho Power plans to eliminate coal-fired energy from its portfolio by 2028 under its 2021 IRP. But the plan is not compatible with the utility's goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2045, NGOs say.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 7, 2022

Gov. Hochul announces $500M offshore wind investment, electrification push for New York

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul used her 2022 State of the State address to announce New York's third offshore wind procurement, new energy storage targets and accelerated electrification initiatives.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2022

Data centers, EVs drive PJM's long-term load growth forecast, but it expects some utilities to see declines

However, the grid operator on Friday trimmed its forecast for its next capacity auction year by 0.5%, reflecting slower than expected load growth.  

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2022

Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021

Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022

New York plans 10 GW distributed solar program expansion, but some see even more potential

The state hopes to build on the early success of its current distributed solar goals with an expansion of existing programs and incentives, but some think the state could do more with rate design.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 23, 2021

Massachusetts taps Vineyard Wind, Mayflower Wind to deliver an additional 1.6 GW

As Massachusetts doubled its offshore wind procurement, Maryland surpassed its 1.2 GW target by accepting two bids from U.S. Wind and Skipjack Offshore Energy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 20, 2021

Stem announces acquisition of AlsoEnergy as it looks to maximize potential of solar + storage projects

The deal will create a "one-stop shop" to manage solar-plus-storage projects, artificial intelligence-based energy storage company Stem says.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 17, 2021

Will Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?

Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021

Shell, KKR invest in solar + storage as renewable market booms

The oil and gas giant is acquiring solar and storage developer Savion as part of a push into renewable energy. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 15, 2021

Green hydrogen could compete with traditional hydrogen by 2030, natural gas by 2050: report

The growing scale of the industry and increased competition from new market entrants, coupled with technology improvements, are poised to drive a rapid decline in the cost of hydrogen production, according to Wood Mackenzie.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 10, 2021