Transmission

Batteries

In Puerto Rico, Trump admin backs big battery project but snubs solar

The Energy Department closed a $490 million loan to Pattern Energy for a 220-MW battery project in Puerto Rico, which could be tied to natural gas instead of solar.

By Maria Gallucci . 12 August 2026

Many houses, one or two stories, with solar panel arrays of various sizes on the roof — An aerial view of a solar-plus-battery microgrid in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, on July 14, 2025 (Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images)

Utilities

3 ways to fix California's utility spending problem — if lawmakers act

SB 905 would curb returns on wildfire costs, seek new financing, and explore performance metrics to curb sky-high electric rates. Can it overcome utility opposition?

By Jeff St. John . 11 August 2026
Politics

Trump is blocking billions of dollars of grants that would fix the grid

The Department of Energy has canceled or stalled funding for thousands of projects that would improve the country’s stressed grid — and not just in blue states.

By Jeff St. John . 6 August 2026
Corporate procurement

Trump admin bans ‘new’ foreign-made inverters. What does that mean?

A just-issued national security ban appears to exclude existing inverters for solar and battery projects — but future models could face restrictions, experts say.

By Jeff St. John . 29 July 2026
Transmission

Is New England’s new hydropower transmission line paying off?

The flow has been stop and go for the first few months, but the line shows plenty of potential to boost Massachusetts’ renewable energy supply.

By Sarah Shemkus . 16 June 2026
Transmission

This software firm has a plan to take grid-enhancing tech nationwide

Most U.S. grid operators already use OATI’s software. Now the firm wants to tap AI and data to boost transmission capacity — and it’s asking the DOE for funding.

By Jeff St. John . 10 June 2026
Transmission

NYC’s big, clean power line is officially up and running

The Champlain Hudson Power Express is bringing tons of hydropower to the city — but amid years of drought, can Canada spare the clean electricity?

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 5 June 2026
Solar

This AI tool helps community solar developers connect to the grid sooner

Startup MeanderX maps bottlenecks on distribution lines in Illinois and seven other states, so projects can avoid lengthy delays.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 May 2026
Clean energy

The grid is in better shape this summer. Thank solar and batteries.

Nationwide grid reliability has improved since last summer — and new solar and batteries, not aging coal plants, are the main reason.

By Jeff St. John . 26 May 2026
Distributed energy resources

Two California bills would push utilities to get more out of their grids

The state’s three big utilities typically overbuild to meet peak demand. The legislation would order them to try virtual power plants and smarter grid tech instead.

By Jeff St. John . 30 April 2026
Utilities

Duke Energy’s proactive grid upgrades under fire from electric co-ops

In North Carolina, the utility has a unique new approach to improve its grid and add solar, but co-ops are complaining to FERC about the cost.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 24 April 2026