Future electric system planning should account for plug-in electric vehicle charging, NREL study finds
New research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that an influx of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) charging without coordination could pose challenges to the electric grid by increasing peak demand. The study, “Impact of Uncoordinated Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging o... Read More »Lightbridge receives approval for US patent for metallic nuclear fuel assembly design
Lightbridge Corporation announced Monday that it has received a notice of allowance for a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office related to its metallic nuclear fuel assembly design. The allowance extends Lightbridge's patent portfolio coverage in the United States to an entire metalli... Read More »Hawaiian Electric Companies reports more than 100 megawatts of solar installed across its service territories in 2017
The Hawaiian Electric Companies recently announced that more than 100 megawatts (MW) of solar were installed across their service territories in 2017, a 19 percent surge from the previous year and the largest increase in five years. Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light rep... Read More »Duke Energy proposes $62 million solar rebate program for North Carolina
Duke Energy proposed on Monday a $62 million solar rebate program designed to help the company’s customers in North Carolina with the upfront cost of installing solar panels on their property. The program is the first of three customer programs Duke Energy is proposing as part of the implement... Read More »EIA expects natural gas to hold lead as source for electricity generation through 2019
With the total share of electricity generated by natural gas-fired power plants expected to average 33 percent in 2018 and 34 percent in 2019, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that natural gas will hold its lead as the top supplier of electricity in the United States over th... Read More »Trump approves tariffs on imported solar cells, modules
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently announced that President Trump approved a recommendation to approve safeguard tariffs on solar cells and modules imported from China. The tariff will increase by 30 percent during its first year and decline each year after that for four years ... Read More »Montana’s hydroelectric generation recovered following last summer’s drought
Hydropower generation in Montana has recovered to levels consistent with previous years following a flash drought that hit the state this past summer, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said. Hydroelectric generation in the state during the first three months of 2017 was higher tha... Read More »PPL Electric Utilities says 2017 was its best-ever year for grid reliability
PPL Electric Utilities recently announced that 2017 was its best year yet for grid reliability. "We're always looking to make our grid better. That work never stops,” Stephanie Raymond, PPL’s vice president of distribution operations, said. “Our business revolves around serving our custome... Read More »Kelly Ferneau