Dominion Closes on First Phase of Solar Sale to SunEdison

Dominion closed on the first phase of its previously announced sale of a 33 percent ownership interest in 425 MW of solar generating capacity to SunEdison. Dominion received approximately $180 million for the first phase, which includes an ownership interest in 253 MW of solar generating capacity at 15 sites in five states. The second phase is expected to close by early 2016 for approximately $120 million, subject to working capital and certain other adjustments.

GE Wins Nearly $1 Billion Contract To Build SEC’s 1390 MW Waad Al Shamal Combined Cycle Power Plant

GE was awarded an EPC contract valued at nearly $1 billion for gas turbine services for the Waad Al Shamal combined cycle power plant of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). Scheduled for completion in 48 months, the plant will support the phosphate mining operations in the locality. GE will deliver the turnkey power plant, supplying four advanced GE 7F.05 heavy-duty gas turbines and a GE steam turbine. The 1,390-MW combined cycle plant will be able to provide the equivalent power needed to supply more than 500,000 Saudi homes.

Four Utilities, Four Strategies

Installing utility-scale, grid-connected battery storage.

Stories on installing grid-connected battery storage from AEP, Green Mountain Power, Imperial Irrigation District, and Kauai Island (Hawaii) Utility Co-op.

Microgrids and Battery Storage

In search of enlightened policy to build a solid business case.

A smart grid expert searches for a solid business case – and tells how to create enlightened policy to make it happen.

We, the Regulators

The way forward, amidst new markets, technologies, and environmental imperatives.

NARUC’s incoming President – from the Montana PSC – shares his vision on how utility regulators should navigate today’s industry disruptions.

Parsing Poles and Towers

Customer cost allocations using the Minimum Distribution System method.

Accounting and Rate Design: How to use the Minimum Distribution Method to allocate local grid costs to end-use customers.

Going Smart at Scale

Your smart grid rollout should go live everywhere, right from the start.

Distribution Management: Any smart grid rollout will gain the greatest benefits if applied at scale right from the start, to the maximum number of feeders, if not all of them.

Nuclear Life Extension

Deciding whether to go forward with a second license renewal.

A majority of nuclear power plant operators already have received operating license renewals – to operate their plants for 20 years beyond the 40 years outlined in their initial operating licenses. As utilities decide whether or not to invest in license renewal, they must consider three key questions.

A Holistic Cyber Strategy

Security must be organizational – simply complying will leave you vulnerable.

Workforce Management: Because standards are aimed only at critical assets, cyber security must be holistic – with all employees involved.