Utilities

Long-duration energy storage

Xcel to install Form’s long-duration batteries at retiring coal plants

The utility is testing Form’s 100-hour storage tech to achieve its lofty carbon-reduction goals — and at a scale bigger than nearly any battery plant on earth.

By Julian Spector . 27 January 2023
Fossil fuels

Can clean-energy advocates stop new gas plants in North Carolina?

Duke Energy wants new gas plants and limits on new solar. Regulators are going along for now. But opponents say federal incentives make clean energy the best choice.

By Jeff St. John . 12 January 2023
Politics

This newly elected firebrand wants to bring renewables to Louisiana

A political rookie who describes himself as "Entergy's worst nightmare" ousted a long-time incumbent by promising to advance clean energy and hold a reviled utility to account.

By Emily Pontecorvo, Lylla Younes . 19 December 2022
Fossil fuels

How states are trying to fit gas utilities into a low-carbon future

California and Colorado are the latest states to boost oversight of how gas utilities spend their customers’ money. The goal: avoiding "stranded assets."

By Jeff St. John . 7 December 2022
Energy equity

Low-income families don't get a fair share of energy-efficiency funds

Utility programs that help residents cut energy costs are leaving out low-income households. What are the fixes?

By Alison F. Takemura . 2 December 2022
Transmission

NY project will use high-tech sensors to get more clean energy onto grid

National Grid and LineVision are expanding the capacity of New York’s grid to carry greater amounts of wind power. Why aren’t more U.S. utilities doing the same?

By Jeff St. John . 29 November 2022
Utilities

Hawaii moves to time-varying 'smart' rates for most utility customers

The first-in-the-nation statewide plan will nudge residents to shift their energy use to times that best align with Hawaii's increasingly solar-powered grid.

By Julian Spector . 8 November 2022
Energy markets

Texas plan to stop next grid disaster could cost customers billions

A new report finds that a proposal to improve grid reliability could cost much more than alternatives and still fail to prevent winter blackouts.

By Jeff St. John . 2 November 2022
Wind

Virginia deal would shield customers if wind project blows its budget

Dominion Energy has agreed to protect customers if costs run over budget or performance falls short of expectations on $10B landmark offshore wind project.

By Julian Spector . 1 November 2022
Utilities

This winter, UK households can get paid to help prevent grid blackouts

Octopus Energy will compensate customers who use less power during times of high demand, helping to blunt the impact of a looming energy crisis.

By Julian Spector . 1 November 2022