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11.09.20 Energy 2

A Rundown of the Down-Ballot Results With Clean Energy Implications

Nevadans again approved Question 6, a renewable portfolio standard, but Democrats didn’t succeed in flipping key state legislatures.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant

11.09.20 Energy 4

Joe Biden's election victory is being cheered by clean energy industry groups eager to share their priorities for his first 100 days in office.

Clean Energy Industries Cheer Biden’s Victory, Lay Out Hopes for Early Action

Solar and wind power, energy storage and grid infrastructure groups have high hopes for a climate-friendly administration.

by Jeff St. John

11.09.20 Energy Storage 16

The EU and the U.K. will need to build a lot more energy storage to match their renewables deployment. (Credit: EDF)

Europe’s Energy Storage Market Is Fading, Right When It’s Needed Most

As renewables surge, Europe’s market share of energy storage will shrink by more than half between 2019 and 2030.

by John Parnell

11.06.20 Wind 13

Dominion wants to make Virginia an offshore wind hub to support its home state's renewables mandate. (Credit: Dominion Energy)

Dominion Energy Highlights Move From Natural Gas to Offshore Wind in Q3 Earnings Call

With sale of interstate gas business to Berkshire Hathaway, Dominion is focused on regulated utilities and gigawatt-scale clean energy ambitions, CEO says.

by Jeff St. John

11.06.20 Grid Edge 6

FERC's new chairman, James Danly, has voted against opening up markets to distributed energy and dissented on a policy proposal on wholesale market carbon pricing. (Credit: FERC)

Trump Replaces FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee With Commissioner James Danly

A surprising switch at the federal agency that’s passed market regulations opposed by states pursuing clean energy policies.

by Jeff St. John

11.05.20 Grid Edge 3

Duke CEO Lynn Good highlights the utility's green energy plans and stakeholder buy-in as its home state prepares for bipartisan debate on carbon reduction goals.

Duke Energy Will Play ‘Pivotal Role’ in North Carolina Clean Energy Debate, CEO Says

Duke’s Q3 earnings call covers the utility’s renewable energy and grid investment plans, plus the likely decarbonization debate in its home state.

by Jeff St. John

11.05.20 Wind 1

Ørsted's Walney offshore wind farm in the U.K. The British Government has appointed DNV GL to assist it with an offshore grid strategy. (Credit: Ørsted)

UK Urged to Get Strategic About Offshore Wind Grid Planning

The U.K. wants to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind in nine years. The existing project-by-project approach could be a missed opportunity.

by Catherine Early

11.04.20 Energy 64

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is likely to remain majority leader if Republicans retain control of the U.S. Senate, narrowing Democrats prospects for clean energy policy.

Prospect of Republican Senate Majority Narrows Democrats’ Options on Clean Energy Policy

Even if Biden wins the White House, a Republican-controlled Senate will complicate Democrats’ climate-change agenda.

by Jeff St. John

11.04.20 Energy 3

Exelon, owner of the country's largest nuclear fleet, is mulling a split of its generation and utility businesses as it plans to close financially challenged units in Illinois.

Exelon May Split Its Utilities From Nuclear, Generation Business

Exelon’s mulls a split for its generation business with two Illinois nuclear plants facing closure and others struggling.

by Jeff St. John

11.04.20 Energy Storage 8

Pumped hydro makes up 95 percent of the world's energy storage, but new projects are hard to site and build.

Pumped Hydro Moves to Retain Storage Market Leadership

As the storage market balloons, the hydro sector does not want to get left behind.

by Jason Deign

11.02.20 Grid Edge 66

If approved by regulators, Arizona's new clean energy mandate will bring it in line with other states with zero-carbon by 2050 goals such as California and New York.

Arizona Outlines Possible Path to 100 Percent Clean Power by 2050

A close regulatory vote set a target of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and a distributed storage mandate for investor-owned utilities, but the policies still need final approval.

by Jeff St. John

11.02.20 Grid Edge 48

Multiple factors explain why ever-falling costs for wind and solar power haven't translated into falling energy prices on Europe's grid.

Why Aren’t Falling Renewables Costs Cutting European Energy Market Prices?

Cheaper wind and solar aren’t lowering wholesale prices. New market constructs may be needed to realize their potential.

by Jason Deign

10.30.20 10

Ousted FirstEnergy CEO Charles Jones has denied knowledge of the bribery scandal alleged by federal prosecutors.

FirstEnergy Ousts CEO Amid $61M Bribery Investigation Scandal

Three top executives fired at Ohio utility connected to alleged bribe scheme to pass bailout bill for nuclear and coal.

by Jeff St. John

10.30.20 Grid Edge 1

Xcel is accelerating wind and solar investments to boost Minnesota's economy as it seeks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Xcel Targets $1.4B in Wind and Solar Investments, Outlines Broader Carbon-Reduction Goals

New renewables, EVs, a green hydrogen pilot and energy storage options will help the utility’s target of net-zero carbon by 2050.

by Jeff St. John

10.28.20 Grid Edge 1

There's hard work ahead to achieve Order 2222's vision for batteries, electric vehicles, smart buildings and virtual power plants.

4 Big Challenges Facing FERC’s Plan to Open Up Power Markets to Distributed Energy

Utilities and state regulators may struggle with the new federal mandate to allow behind-the-meter resources access to wholesale energy markets.

by Jeff St. John

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Battery-Based Customer Bill Savings

GTM Squared

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Battery-Based Customer Bill Savings

Commercial storage has never followed a straight path, but its current champions have staying power and new strategies for sustained growth.

by Julian Spector | October 28, 2020

10.23.20 Grid Edge 23

Waitlisted battery projects will get some relief without tapping funds aimed at those most vulnerable to fire-prevention blackouts.

California Shifts $100M in Behind-the-Meter Battery Incentives to Low-Income Communities

The new funds are designed to boost resilience for a broader group of customers threatened by wildfires and rolling blackouts.

by Jeff St. John

10.22.20 Grid Edge 14

VPPs can include batteries, electric vehicles, smart appliances, flexible heating and cooling loads, on-site generators, and other grid-responsive assets.

So, What Exactly Are Virtual Power Plants?

GTM helps explain a growing grid resource that can mimic power plants without dominating the landscape.

by Jason Deign

10.21.20 Grid Edge 6

Nevada's biggest utility wants to use blockchain technology to track renewable energy down to the kilowatt-hour scale.

A Blockchain-Enabled Smart Meter for Clean Power Trading?

NV Energy tests digital tech to track kilowatts of clean energy from cradle to grave.

by Jeff St. John

10.21.20 Grid Edge 4

Distributed solar, batteries and flexible loads can replace the need for new power plants at lower cost, proponents say.

Why Build a Power Plant if You Can Make a Virtual One?

The Enel X deal in Taiwan shows how virtual power plants can outcompete thermal generators.

by Jason Deign

10.20.20 Grid Edge 3

FERC is being asked to undo a decade-old state

Demand Response Provider Asks Feds to Open States to Energy Market Competition

Petition says failing to end state “opt-out” rules is unfair to customers and could undermine FERC Order 2222.

by Jeff St. John

10.19.20 Solar 164

Customer economics for on-site renewables are compelling in California, the author writes.

Industry Perspective

I Fully Converted a Home to Electricity. Here’s How It Worked — and What It Cost

Currently available solar, battery and heat pump technology means every building under two stories with a sunny roof can be a net generator of energy.

by Barry Cinnamon

Batteries Can Defer Grid Upgrades, But It’s a Tough Business

GTM Squared

Batteries Can Defer Grid Upgrades, But It’s a Tough Business

Early successes with non-wires alternatives haven’t yet sparked a thriving market.

by Julian Spector | October 19, 2020

10.19.20 Grid Edge 2

DOE's funding seeks to combine solar, batteries and smart appliances to match building loads with grid needs.

Funding the Next Generation of Efficient, Electric, Grid-Interactive Communities

Department of Energy provides $65 million for “connected communities,” expanding projects to embed clean energy and grid services in new buildings.

by Jeff St. John

10.15.20 Grid Edge 10

FERC's order could end a two-year hiatus in country's biggest grid capacity market, but it doesn't resolve worries from states with clean energy goals.

FERC Order Will Restart PJM’s Capacity Market

But state-subsidized clean energy resources and programs still face major challenges.

by Jeff St. John

How Cheap and Abundant Can Clean Power Get?

Climate Fintech Startup Atmos Financial Puts Savings to Work for Clean Energy

Could Chile’s Auction Help Save CSP From Oblivion?

What the Coming Wave of Distributed Energy Resources Means for the US Grid

Extreme Weather Keeps Maxing Out the Grid

A Wartime Plan for Electrifying America

An Island’s Path to 100% Renewables

Greentech Media Chronicled Clean Energy Before It Was Cool

Are Batteries at a Turning Point?

Vestas Ventures Makes First Investment With Stake in Wooden Tower Start-Up

Vestas Launches World’s Largest Turbines as 'Big 3' Competition Ramps Up

BP, RWE and EnBW Win Big in UK Offshore Wind Leasing Round

How Cheap and Abundant Can Clean Power Get?

Climate Fintech Startup Atmos Financial Puts Savings to Work for Clean Energy

Could Chile’s Auction Help Save CSP From Oblivion?

Regulation & Policy

A Rundown of the Down-Ballot Results With Clean Energy Implications

Clean Energy Industries Cheer Biden’s Victory, Lay Out Hopes for Early Action

Europe’s Energy Storage Market Is Fading, Right When It’s Needed Most

Dominion Energy Highlights Move From Natural Gas to Offshore Wind in Q3 Earnings Call

Trump Replaces FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee With Commissioner James Danly

Duke Energy Will Play ‘Pivotal Role’ in North Carolina Clean Energy Debate, CEO Says

UK Urged to Get Strategic About Offshore Wind Grid Planning

Prospect of Republican Senate Majority Narrows Democrats’ Options on Clean Energy Policy

Exelon May Split Its Utilities From Nuclear, Generation Business

Pumped Hydro Moves to Retain Storage Market Leadership

Arizona Outlines Possible Path to 100 Percent Clean Power by 2050

Why Aren’t Falling Renewables Costs Cutting European Energy Market Prices?

FirstEnergy Ousts CEO Amid $61M Bribery Investigation Scandal

Xcel Targets $1.4B in Wind and Solar Investments, Outlines Broader Carbon-Reduction Goals

4 Big Challenges Facing FERC’s Plan to Open Up Power Markets to Distributed Energy

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Battery-Based Customer Bill Savings

California Shifts $100M in Behind-the-Meter Battery Incentives to Low-Income Communities

So, What Exactly Are Virtual Power Plants?

A Blockchain-Enabled Smart Meter for Clean Power Trading?

Why Build a Power Plant if You Can Make a Virtual One?

Demand Response Provider Asks Feds to Open States to Energy Market Competition

I Fully Converted a Home to Electricity. Here’s How It Worked — and What It Cost

Batteries Can Defer Grid Upgrades, But It’s a Tough Business

Funding the Next Generation of Efficient, Electric, Grid-Interactive Communities

FERC Order Will Restart PJM’s Capacity Market