Ventyx, an ABB company, joined an initiative to create one of the world's smartest electricity networks, part of a development project entitled Smart Grid Gotland. As part of the project, Ventyx will deploy a comprehensive distribution system optimization solution encompassing network control, demand response management, demand forecasting and business analytics to support the project, enabling large quantities of wind and other renewable and distributed energy sources to be integrated into the grid.

NRG eVgo, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, plans to roll out the EZ-Charge (SM) platform, an initiative that will offer EV drivers the ability to access multiple EV charging networks with a single all-access card. The EZ-Charge card will support all eVgo public charging plans and enable EV drivers to enroll in participating partner network plans either through their charging company or directly with eVgo. eVgo expects to begin distributing EZ-Charge cards this summer to EV drivers with participating plans in San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas-Ft.

SunEdison partnered with Rosedale Union School District (RUSD) in Bakersfield, Calif. to install, monitor and manage 1.8 MW of solar at the district's nine schools. Solar shade canopies will be constructed in parking lots at the district's schools, taking advantage of underutilized space to produce solar energy and provide needed shade for parking. Project completion is scheduled by the end of the year. SunEdison will install, monitor and maintain the solar system at no additional expense to the district.

AREVA signed an agreement with the American engineering firm NUCCORP to be the exclusive supplier of the nuclear grade air trap (NGAT) technology to the nuclear industry. The NGAT system eliminates the need for periodic venting and ultrasonic testing inspections, which can increase costs and impair operational efficiency. Winner of a 2012 Nuclear Energy Institute Vendor Top Industry Practice award, the device can be easily installed in existing plants and has already been demonstrated in operation.

Duke Energy Carolinas plans to build and operate a 750-MW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant at the existing Lee Steam Station site in Anderson County, S.C. The North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation will own 100 MW of the project. The decision to move forward with this project is part of a long-term plan to add new generation, modernize the fleet, maintain a diverse fuel portfolio, and manage customer costs while delivering a high-quality, reliable power supply.

Entergy Louisiana signed a 10-year commercial and contractual agreement with PennTex North Louisiana to supply up to 25 MW of electric power to PennTex's Lincoln Parish plant near Arcadia, La., beginning in March 2015. In March 2014, PennTex announced plans to construct a natural gas processing plant at a new site in Lincoln Parish, which is expected to be completed and operational by March 2015.

Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL), received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for its request for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN), allowing IPL to invest approximately $600 million into a new 650 MW combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station near Martinsville, Indiana and $36 million to convert two units at the Harding Street Generation Station totaling 200 MW from coal to natural gas. The CCGT project will commence construction in third quarter 2014 and is expected to come online in 2017.