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01.01.19 Solar 1

But the forecast growth in solar worldwide will not be enough to meet global climate goals.

Major Solar PV Markets Are Emerging Worldwide

Experts forecast global solar installations to increase by more than 100 gigawatts per year through 2023.

by Jason Deign

12.19.18 Regulation & Policy 4

The CPUC is clearing up confusion around California's electric vehicle policy.

California Regulators Open a New Chapter in Utility EV Charging Policy

A new CPUC docket on EV charging doesn’t freeze funding for years, as industry groups feared. But it will introduce questions about utilities’ role in the state’s electric transportation future.

by Jeff St. John

12.13.18 PV, EV, & Storage 0

After a rocky start, Australia's AGL is again pursuing battery-backed virtual power plants.

Enbala to Enable World’s Biggest Residential Solar-Plus-Storage Virtual Power Plant

Australia’s AGL picks startup to manage its 1,000-battery VPP for both distribution and wholesale needs.

by Jeff St. John

12.10.18 Energy 0

Virginia's SCC ordered Dominion to rework its integrated resource plan for the first time ever.

Virginia Regulator Asks Dominion Energy for More Accurate Resource Plan

It’s a first for the utility and could bring about a “sea change” in its modeling.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant

12.07.18 Utilities 1

Substituting “steel,” in the form of new wind and solar generation, for “fuel,

Industry Perspective

Steel for Fuel: How Utilities Can Replace Fossil Fuel Expenses With Renewables Earning Potential

The “steel for fuel” strategy is an increasingly appealing method for hitting the sweet spot on risk, return and scale for utility customers and investors.

by Ron Lehr and Mike O'Boyle

12.04.18 Utilities 14

Xcel Energy Commits to 100% Carbon-Free Electricity by 2050

The utility’s ambitious plan could pre-empt a messy policy battle over renewable energy mandates.

by Julia Pyper

12.04.18 Smart Homes/Smart Buildings 0

Tendril Lands Private Equity Investment to Take Energy Management to the Next Level

Rubicon Technology Partners to provide an exit for VC investors in the 14-year-old startup and support next stages of growth—including potential acquisitions.

by Jeff St. John

12.04.18 Demand Response 0

Demand Response M&A Update: CPower Bought by LS Power

A new owner for a big U.S. demand response player with broader distributed energy ambitions.

by Jeff St. John

11.30.18 Utilities 9

California Regulators to Review PG&E’s Corporate Structure, Safety Culture in Wake of Deadly Fires

California’s top utility regulator slams PG&E for its safety record and considers a “different model” for keeping power and gas flowing.

by Jeff St. John

11.30.18 Energy Storage 0

Austin Energy's general manager reflects on the utility's storage program.

Austin Energy GM on the Utility’s Innovative Storage Program: ‘We’ve Already Learned a Lot’

“We’ve already learned a lot about the interconnection process of putting battery storage on the distribution system.”

by Juan Monge

11.30.18 Energy Storage 0

The program would subsidize home batteries to use them as miniature power plants in response to system peaks.

New Hampshire Utility to Fight System Peaks With Home Batteries Under New Settlement

Liberty Utilities will own up to 500 units, but the compromise allows third parties to participate, too.

by Julian Spector

11.28.18 Utilities 0

Energy Jobs: Netflix Talent Moves to Cleantech, Exec Ousted at Tesla, GE Restructuring Continues

Executive and boardroom moves in cleantech, utilities, energy and venture capital.

by Katherine Tweed

11.28.18 Utilities 18

PG&E's decision is being questioned by critics as wildfires have become more severe.

Why PG&E Didn’t Cut the Power to Possibly Prevent California’s Deadliest Wildfire

A new PG&E report details how it decided against de-energizing power lines that may have sparked the Camp Fire. But should it cut power more aggressively?

by Jeff St. John

11.28.18 Utilities 1

Enel lays out a new decarbonization plan.

Enel Plans to Spend €10.6 Billion on Renewables Through 2021

Enel raises its ambitions with a power portfolio goal that’s 62% emissions-free.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant

11.27.18 Utilities 4

Will PG&E get wildfire relief extended to the Camp Fire?

PG&E May Get a Legislative Lifeline to Extend Wildfire Liability Relief

A new bill could allow the utility to raise bonds to cover this year’s deadly Camp Fire – and avoid potential bankruptcy.

by Jeff St. John

11.21.18 Utilities 17

Californians are looking for someone to blame for the destructive wildfires. Is it utilities?

What If Utilities Are to Blame for Wildfires?

This week on The Energy Gang: PG&E and SCE face scrutiny over fire damage.

by Stephen Lacey

11.20.18 Utility-Scale Solar 8

A lot of project owners are nervous about a PG&E bankruptcy.

If Wildfires Drive PG&E Into Bankruptcy, What Happens to Renewable Energy Contracts?

Credit Suisse sees a long-shot threat to solar and wind PPAs if bankruptcy leads to contracts being renegotiated.

by Jeff St. John

11.16.18 Utilities 9

California may protect PG&E from wildfire liabilities.

PG&E Sees Some Relief From Wildfire Financial Crisis as California Regulators Step In

CPUC President Michael Picker says it’s best to protect the utility from bankruptcy and seeks to use new wildfire legislation to stop it.

by Jeff St. John

11.15.18 Electric Vehicles 11

Volvo is conducting tests on how to manage fleets of electric trucks.

Volvo and Greenlots Dive Into Electric Truck Charging

A pilot project in Southern California will test how electric trucks can reduce air pollution and help balance the grid.

by Jeff St. John

11.14.18 Utilities 6

PG&E's financial health is under threat.

PG&E Maxes Out Revolving Credit as Wildfire Liabilities Loom

Shares tumble on concerns that the $3.4 billion drawdown could be a precursor to bankruptcy.

by Jeff St. John

11.13.18 Green Building 6

California is getting some new all-electric housing developments.

All-Electric Homes Are Becoming the Default for New Residential Construction in Sacramento

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District and national homebuilder DR Horton are partnering to build 104 all-electric homes in Sacramento.

by Justin Gerdes

11.12.18 Utilities 4

Will PG&E and SCE bear responsibility for wildfires raging in California?

California Utilities Face Scrutiny and Falling Shares Over Possible Link to Deadly Wildfires

Initial reports indicate that PG&E and Southern California Edison power lines may have sparked this month’s deadly blazes.

by Jeff St. John

11.12.18 Grid Optimization 16

The Impact of ‘Plant Factories’ on the Electric Grid

On this week’s Interchange podcast: the energy consequences of the indoor agriculture boom.

by Stephen Lacey

11.05.18 Utilities 1

Why it matters that utilities are spending more on distribution.

Industry Perspective

How Dumb Distribution Spending Crowds Out a Smart Clean Energy Future

Distribution spending that only focuses on reliability or resilience can block spending to support a cleaner, more affordable and more reliable grid, argues GridLab’s Ric O’Connell.

by Ric O’Connell

11.05.18 Energy Storage 0

Energy Jobs: New FERC Chairman, CEO Moves at Space-Time Insight and PowerSecure, and More

Executive and boardroom moves in cleantech, utilities, energy and venture capital.

by Katherine Tweed

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

Are Batteries at a Turning Point?

Storage Integrator FlexGen Gains New Leadership at Crucial Time

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?

Utilities

Major Solar PV Markets Are Emerging Worldwide

California Regulators Open a New Chapter in Utility EV Charging Policy

Enbala to Enable World’s Biggest Residential Solar-Plus-Storage Virtual Power Plant

Virginia Regulator Asks Dominion Energy for More Accurate Resource Plan

Steel for Fuel: How Utilities Can Replace Fossil Fuel Expenses With Renewables Earning Potential

Xcel Energy Commits to 100% Carbon-Free Electricity by 2050

Tendril Lands Private Equity Investment to Take Energy Management to the Next Level

Demand Response M&A Update: CPower Bought by LS Power

California Regulators to Review PG&E’s Corporate Structure, Safety Culture in Wake of Deadly Fires

Austin Energy GM on the Utility’s Innovative Storage Program: ‘We’ve Already Learned a Lot’

New Hampshire Utility to Fight System Peaks With Home Batteries Under New Settlement

Energy Jobs: Netflix Talent Moves to Cleantech, Exec Ousted at Tesla, GE Restructuring Continues

Why PG&E Didn’t Cut the Power to Possibly Prevent California’s Deadliest Wildfire

Enel Plans to Spend €10.6 Billion on Renewables Through 2021

PG&E May Get a Legislative Lifeline to Extend Wildfire Liability Relief

What If Utilities Are to Blame for Wildfires?

If Wildfires Drive PG&E Into Bankruptcy, What Happens to Renewable Energy Contracts?

PG&E Sees Some Relief From Wildfire Financial Crisis as California Regulators Step In

Volvo and Greenlots Dive Into Electric Truck Charging

PG&E Maxes Out Revolving Credit as Wildfire Liabilities Loom

All-Electric Homes Are Becoming the Default for New Residential Construction in Sacramento

California Utilities Face Scrutiny and Falling Shares Over Possible Link to Deadly Wildfires

The Impact of ‘Plant Factories’ on the Electric Grid

How Dumb Distribution Spending Crowds Out a Smart Clean Energy Future

Energy Jobs: New FERC Chairman, CEO Moves at Space-Time Insight and PowerSecure, and More