Generation
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Congress passes Russian uranium import ban, unlocking $2.7B to expand US nuclear fuel production
The money includes funding for high-assay low-enriched uranium, which is needed for certain advanced nuclear reactor designs.
By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2024 -
VPPs could boost utilities’ credit profiles, but it’s ‘premature’ to consider impact: Morningstar DBRS
Though obstacles are impeding virtual power plants in the short term, the technology will be a plus for utilities as businesses and for reliability in the long run, the credit rating company predicts.
By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2024 -
Trendline
Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive
The U.S. clean energy transition is expected to accelerate in 2024 but faces question around transmission, financing, federal elections and other issues.
By Utility Dive staff -
Replacing a Talen Energy coal-fired power plant with battery storage is infeasible: PJM
A Sierra Club proposal that aims to avoid a reliability must-run contract for the 1,280-MW Brandon Shores plant in Maryland is unworkable, the PJM Interconnection found.
By Ethan Howland • Updated 7 hours ago -
GE Vernova to remain “highly selective” of offshore wind orders amid uncertainty: CEO
In its first quarterly earnings report since becoming an independent company, the power equipment manufacturer contrasted recent wind challenges with near-term optimism for its gas power and electrification business lines.
By Brian Martucci • May 1, 2024 -
PSEG in talks to sell nuclear power to data centers: CEO LaRossa
“Our New Jersey nuclear units could provide access to a highly reliable, carbon-free source of baseload power,” PSEG CEO Ralph LaRossa said Tuesday.
By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2024 -
AEP faces 15 GW of new load, driven by Amazon, Google, other data centers: interim CEO Fowke
Load growth in Ohio is sparking talk of letting the state’s utilities own power plants again, Ben Fowke, AEP interim CEO, said Tuesday.
By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2024 -
International, domestic energy policies should embrace gas as transition fuel: EFI report
Natural gas exports from the United States help to support energy security, equity and sustainability around the globe, said EFI Foundation CEO Ernest Moniz, who served as U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Obama.
By Robert Walton • May 1, 2024 -
SPP Markets+ Western market plan sparks support, protest and concerns
Arizona Public Service, Public Service Co. of Colorado, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and a public power trade group urged FERC to approve the day-ahead market.
By Ethan Howland • April 30, 2024 -
Coal-to-nuclear transition would benefit dozens of US regions: NASEO-NARUC report
The authors cited data from the Energy Department, the Bipartisan Policy Center and other sources showing the economic and operational benefits, including up to 35% lower construction costs for small modular reactors.
By Brian Martucci • April 29, 2024 -
MISO capacity prices triple for next summer, spring, partly on power plant retirements
Prices for Ameren Missouri and Columbia, Missouri’s municipal utility jumped to nearly $720/MW-day for the upcoming fall and spring seasons due to expected power supply shortages.
By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2024 -
NRC proposes streamlined environmental reviews for new reactor license applications
If finalized, the proposed rule would apply to any future fission reactor application and could reduce environmental review costs by up to 45%, Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff found.
By Brian Martucci • April 25, 2024 -
EPA finalizes power plant emission rules, but utilities balk at expected need for carbon capture
Electric utilities called the power plant rules “disappointing” and “unlawful” and say the rules will create reliability and affordability challenges.
By Robert Walton • April 25, 2024 -
PG&E highlights 100% emissions-free power in 2023 as generation spin-off hits snag
California regulators could vote in May on a proposal to reject Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to create a separate company with 5.6 GW in non-nuclear generating assets as part of an effort to raise capital.
By Ethan Howland • April 24, 2024 -
ERCOT launches new planning efforts as 2030 load growth projections soar 40 GW in a year
The growth is being fueled by a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, data centers, industrial electrification, hydrogen and electric vehicles, said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas.
By Robert Walton • April 24, 2024 -
Energy storage for grid reliability can increase carbon emissions: University of Michigan study
Energy storage is often pitched as a way to make renewables more reliable and reduce the use of planet-warming fuels, but researchers at the University of Michigan found that it can encourage the use of coal over gas.
By Patrick Cooley • April 23, 2024 -
APS, others plan 1-year delay in fines for Western Resource Adequacy Program capacity shortfalls
Supply chain problems, unexpected load growth and extreme weather are challenging efforts to ensure adequate power supplies in the West, according to Avista, Calpine and other program participants.
By Ethan Howland • April 23, 2024 -
Fusion will beat advanced fission to the grid: Type One Energy CEO
“This is coming sooner than you think,” said Commonwealth Fusion Systems Chief Commercial Officer Rick Needham, who spoke alongside Type One CEO Chris Mowry at the BNEF Summit in New York last week.
By Brian Martucci • April 22, 2024 -
Congressional Democrats press Treasury for ‘well-functioning’ 45U nuclear tax credit
Six House Democrats urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to adopt flexible guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act credit, which benefits existing nuclear power facilities.
By Brian Martucci • April 19, 2024 -
Democratic bill mandates FERC interconnection reforms to bring new resources online faster
The bill would help bring new power supply online to address surging demand growth and increasing grid reliability concerns, according to the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman.
By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024 -
DOE issues road map for speeding, improving grid interconnections to unlock 2.6-TW backlog
“There is unlikely to be any document for years to come reflecting such a comprehensive set of [interconnection] solutions,” said Tyler Norris, former head of development at Cypress Creek Renewables.
By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024 -
DOE cites cost, reliability concerns for new gas plants as it details how to meet surging power demand
Rising electricity demand will require a portfolio of resources, including energy storage, hydropower, nuclear, grid-enhancing technologies and demand-side management, DOE said.
By Robert Walton • April 18, 2024 -
Deep Dive
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.
By Herman K. Trabish • April 17, 2024 -
Georgia Power receives approval to add 1.4 GW of natural gas generation
Environmentalists are criticizing the Georgia Public Service Commission’s decision to approve the construction of new fossil fuel generation, citing cost and climate concerns.
By Diana DiGangi • April 17, 2024 -
Deep Dive
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.
By Brian Martucci • April 17, 2024 -
Surging demand growth spurs openings for advanced nuclear, grid technologies: DOE’s Crane
Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law funding are supporting new technologies, he said, but the "missing link" is permitting reform. “Without permitting reform, what we are hindering is new zero-carbon energy sources.”
By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2024