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PG&E Wins Right to Develop Two New Transmission Substations

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:26

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was selected by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to build, own and operate two new electric substations in California's Central Valley and South Bay. The new high voltage substation at Wheeler Ridge Junction will help improve electric service reliability in Bakersfield, especially in the hot summer months when demand for power is higher. The substation projects will need to undergo an approval process through the California Public Utilities Commission.

NRC Approves Safety Report for Westinghouse Small Modular Nuclear Reactor

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:23

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Westinghouse Electric’s testing approach for the Westinghouse small modular reactor (SMR) design. The NRC told Westinghouse that it has granted a safety evaluation report (SER) for the licensing topical report that the company submitted in April 2012 for agency review and approval. The Westinghouse SMR is a 225-MW integral pressurized water reactor with all primary components located inside of the reactor vessel.

Dominion Virginia Power to Install Virginia's Largest Solar Installation at Philip Morris USA

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:22

Philip Morris USA (PM USA) is the latest company to partner with Dominion Virginia Power under the Solar Partnership Program by hosting what will become the largest solar installation in Virginia to date. Dominion is currently installing about 8,000 ground-mounted solar panels at the PM USA Park 500 facility in Chesterfield County. When completed, the 2,450-kW solar array will generate enough electricity under optimum conditions to power 500 homes. The energy generated by the solar panels is delivered to the power grid.

RET Capital Secures Over $200 Million in Financing for Four Solar Projects

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:21

Renewable Energy Trust Capital (RET Capital) closed on over $200 million in financing for four solar projects in the U.S. and Canada. The independent renewable finance platform closed a CAD $115 million non-recourse debt to support the acquisition of two solar facilities in Ontario, Canada.

SunEdison to Build 150 MW of Solar Power in Georgetown, Texas

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:20

SunEdison will construct new solar plants in West Texas to supply the City of Georgetown with 150 MW of solar power for 25 years. The SunEdison solar plants will be interconnected in 2016, and will provide over 9,500 GW-hours of energy through 2041. Upon completion, SunEdison expects to offer this project for investment to TerraForm Power.

Creative Disruption

Submitted by meacott on Wed, 2015-03-25 11:45
Fifteen years into the 21st Century, the utility industry is being asked to think forward, beyond 2050. To some, that’s a bit of a stretch for a mostly regulated enterprise that has been producing power and sending the electrons reliably for the last 150 years or so. To many others, though, it’s past time for an evolution.

Fifteen years into the 21st Century, the utility industry is being asked to think forward, beyond 2050. To some, that's a bit of a stretch for a mostly regulated enterprise that has been producing power and sending the electrons reliably for the last 150 years or so. To many others, though, it's past time for an evolution.

Clean Power Plan: Has EPA Overstepped?

Submitted by meacott on Thu, 2015-03-19 08:14
While it must be noted that the constitutionality of EPA newly-claimed authority to take control of the U.S. Electrical Grid is still in doubt, it is still worth asking the EPA why they gave up on "Cooperative Federalism," especially given its historical successes.

The idea of "Cooperative Federalism" began with the New Deal in the 1930's, when it came to include a division of responsibilities among the states and the federal government agencies of electric power and distribution. By the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970, the EPA set the minimum standards for the states to best implement their individual utility plans to meet air pollution goals with approval of the EPA.

FuelCell Energy Completes Sale of University Micro-grid Project to NRG Yield

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2015-03-17 13:29

FuelCell Energy reported the closing of its definitive agreement to sell a 1.4-MW fuel cell power plant project at the University of Bridgeport to NRG Energy. Concurrent with the closing, a subsidiary of NRG, NRG Yield, acquired the project; the first-ever fuel cell project placed into any yieldco. The University of Bridgeport will buy the electricity and heat produced by the fuel cell power plant under a multi-year PPA.

FPL Plans to Acquire and Phase Out Coal-Fired Power Plant

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2015-03-17 13:28

Florida Power & Light (FPL) filed a petition with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to request approval to acquire a power plant that it has had under a long-term contract to purchase power since 1988. Upon taking ownership of the Cedar Bay Generating Plant, a 250-MW coal-fired facility located in Jacksonville, Fla., FPL plans to immediately terminate the contract and reduce the plant's operations by 90 percent, with the intention of eventually phasing the plant out of service.