Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
-
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
Carrots, sticks or both: State efforts to combat anti-renewables NIMBYs
In pursuit of zero-emissions electricity goals and tax windfalls from utility-scale renewables, states are taking a range of approaches to disarm opponents.
Brian Martucci • Aug. 22, 2024 -
FernandoAH via Getty Images
California pioneers new ways to ease interconnection of large DERs
Limited generation profiles in California will schedule limits to DERs during system constraints. New York, Illinois, Colorado and others are testing more flexible approaches.
Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2024 -
narvikk via Getty Images
Innovative solutions emerge to reduce 2.5-TW US clean energy interconnection backlog
California’s project scoring criteria, the Texas connect and manage option and SPP’s work to link system planning with the interconnection process across its multistate region could speed the clean energy expansion.
Herman K. Trabish • July 22, 2024 -
hirun via Getty Images
As NVIDIA, IBM and others apply AI to boost utilities, regulatory and data privacy obstacles abound
The “move fast and break things” business model of the technology sector is meeting the regulated spending and reliability imperatives of the utility sector.
Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2024 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Drive for energy permitting reform fuels tensions between climate, environmental justice advocates
A simplified permitting process would speed the deployment of clean energy, but some EJ advocates are concerned about unintended consequences.
Diana DiGangi • June 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
Tackling 3 key issues can help scale virtual power plants and spur a wave of benefits, analysts say
Advanced operational software, communications standards and customer compensation are needed to scale VPP size and services, cut system and customer costs and enhance reliability, key VPP players agree.
Herman K. Trabish • April 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by NuScale Power
As states increasingly look to advanced nuclear, Wyoming, Virginia and Michigan lead the way
Their efforts are showing policymakers elsewhere how to attract emerging nuclear technologies and the skilled workers they need to operate, National Association of State Energy Officials President David Terry said.
Brian Martucci • April 17, 2024 -
George Frey via Getty Images
Monday’s eclipse could cut US solar output by 40 GWh. Here’s how 5 grid operators are preparing.
Grid operators are not expecting any reliability issues during the eclipse but say forecasting energy demand will be complicated. Monday “will not be a typical spring day,” MISO noted.
Robert Walton • April 4, 2024 -
simpson33 via Getty Images
A new era of price-based demand response emerges, but utilities and regulators need proof of its potential
New load flexibility from price-based demand response programs could be invaluable if reliability and cost-effectiveness is confirmed in real-world operating conditions, stakeholders agree.
Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2024 -
LPETTET via Getty Images
California lawmakers backpedal on income-based utility charges as IOUs, others propose alternatives
State legislators ordered regulators in 2022 to implement an income-graduated fixed charge to protect low-income customers and shift the funding for various policy goals. A new bill would repeal that.
Herman K. Trabish • March 19, 2024 -
jitendrajadhav via Getty Images
2024 PJM Outlook: Tough choices loom on capacity market, plant retirements, transmission planning
Ensuring that enough new generation comes online to replace retiring power plants is a key issue that threads through PJM’s expected focus this year, stakeholders and observers said.
Ethan Howland • Feb. 29, 2024 -
Karl Weatherly via Getty Images
Congressional action on energy permitting remains stuck, but states, developers are finding solutions
States are resolving local objections to projects through community engagement while transmission developers are making innovative use of existing rights-of-way to bypass permitting logjams.
Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 27, 2024 -
My Photo Buddy via Getty Images
As wildfires losses mount, will commercial insurers decline to cover utilities?
As Xcel Energy, PG&E, Hawaiian Electric and others confront catastrophic wildfires, industry observers believe the growing risk could spur innovation in commercial insurance that ultimately benefits utilities.
Emma Penrod • Jan. 31, 2024 -
imacoconut via Getty Images
New solutions emerge to better integrate renewables into the grid, Xcel, Eversource and others say
Requiring the 400+ GW of battery capacity in U.S. interconnection queues to have grid-forming capabilities could enable variable renewables growth “cheaper and faster than adding new transmission,” one expert said.
Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
To keep or not to keep: The fate of scope 3 emissions in SEC’s climate disclosure rule
Given all of the pushback the agency has received over its proposed rule, particularly scope 3 reporting requirements, experts are uncertain if scope 3 will make the final cut.
Zoya Mirza • Jan. 25, 2024 -
BulentBARIS via Getty Images
Utility Business Outlook: Power prices stay elevated as elections sow uncertainty for clean energy plans
For utilities and the clean energy sector, 2024 could bring “an exceptional level of volatility and opportunity,” according to Bank of America Global Research analysts.
Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2024 -
Karl Weatherly via Getty Images
Renewable Energy Outlook: Addressing supply chain, project hurdles could see dividends in 2024
It may be a blessing in disguise for the offshore wind industry that so many developers had to delay or cancel projects last year, one attorney said.
Diana DiGangi • Jan. 18, 2024 -
Siripak Pason via Getty Images
As reliability concerns with renewables rise, upgrading inverters is urgent, analysts say
The variable output of renewable energy resources requires “grid-forming” inverters to protect power system current flows, engineers and others agree.
Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 2, 2024 -
DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images
Eversource wary about attracting investor capital as Connecticut moves to forefront of PBR trend
Connecticut utilities’ credit and financials will remain stable or improve when performance-based regulation is fully implemented, just as they did for Hawaiian Electric, said the state’s chief utility regulator.
Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 5, 2023 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
The energy storage space is heating up. Here are some of the technologies making a dent.
Utility Dive took a look at four technologies, and spoke to some of the companies spearheading them, to get a better picture of the emerging energy storage landscape.
Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 5, 2023 -
kflGALORE via Getty Images
Can ERCOT show the way to faster and cheaper grid interconnection?
With the "connect and manage" process, which doesn’t require network upgrades, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas brought 14.2 GW online in the last two years, more than any other grid operator.
Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2023 -
Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
More powerful, resilient and versatile: The next generation of solar tech is emerging
“This is a great time to be involved with solar technology,” said Chris Deline, head of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s photovoltaic field performance group.
Diana DiGangi • Nov. 16, 2023 -
Justin Sullivan/Staff/Getty Images North America via Getty Images
EV sales are rising. So why are automakers nervous?
Slower sales growth, lower prices and growing inventories have spooked carmakers, leading some to reconsider their electric vehicle plans to bolster their finances.
Michael Brady • Nov. 13, 2023 -
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Duke, others leverage new IRA rules to finance clean energy, but cost, complexity are hurdles
New tax credit provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act could more than triple the $20 billion annual tax equity market that today finances clean energy in the U.S., if various challenges can be overcome.
Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2023 -
Leon Neal via Getty Images
Heat pumps are hot, but commercial retrofits face cold realities
Government decarbonization strategies call for widespread deployment of heat pumps for building heating and cooling, but experts warn of retrofit costs, disruption and other concerns.
Nish Amarnath • Nov. 1, 2023
