Holy Cross Energy in Colorado achieved providing renewable electricity equivalent to 100% of its members' needs in March, moving closer to their goal of continual renewable energy production from 2030 onwards. This milestone was made possible by favorable conditions for wind and solar energy production. The utility plans to add more flexible renewable resources to meet demand during non-solar hours and winter months, while maintaining system reliability and cost-effectiveness. With over 45,000 members served and an average of 92% clean energy delivered year-to-date in 2026, Holy Cross Energy's strategic partnership with The Energy Authority is helping to maximize renewable energy procurement efforts.
Author: Utilitydive
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Google to fund 100-MW virtual power plant in PJM in ‘first-of-its-kind’ deal
Google is funding a three-year, 100-MW virtual power plant in the PJM Interconnection to meet data center demand, partnering with VPP operator Voltus to aggregate distributed energy resources. The company aims to make its data centers flexible and cost-effective by paying customers to shift electricity usage, addressing rising electricity costs and aggressive load growth from AI data centers in PJM. The pressure to meet rising demand is leading to increased utility capital spending on new gas-fired power plants, potentially impacting climate goals. The article highlights the need for a market overhaul to address peak demand driving up costs, with the partnership providing a repeatable path for other large energy users to follow and encouraging collaboration and transparency with utilities to build a multidirectional grid system.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/google-virtual-power-plant-vpp-pjm-voltus/821838/
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Massachusetts ‘vehicle-to-everything’ demonstration hints at EV batteries’ grid potential
Massachusetts is deploying bidirectional electric vehicle chargers to explore using EV batteries for backup power, self-consumption, and demand response, funded by the American Rescue Plan. The program aims to understand how electric buses and other vehicles can interact with the grid as EV adoption increases, offering significant revenue opportunities for vehicle owners. State- and utility-led bidirectional charging programs are becoming more common across the US, with the state's ConnectedSolutions virtual power plant providing generous compensation for owners of bidirectional-capable EVs. Despite concerns about balancing power needs with vehicle owner usage during demand response events, there is optimism that utilities will overcome obstacles and utilize the significant energy storage capacity of EV batteries to cover a meaningful fraction of vehicles on the road in Massachusetts.
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Philadelphia clean energy campaign turned millions invested into billions saved. Here’s how.
The Philadelphia Energy Campaign has successfully created over 11,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in economic investment since 2016, while also generating $1.4 billion in energy savings for the city and its residents. Programs like Built to Last and Solarize Greater Philadelphia have provided low-income homeowners with access to housing-repair and solar installation programs. Funding mechanisms such as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and the Philadelphia Green Capital Corp have supported energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, blending public and private financing. Despite the loss of federal funding, the campaign remains resilient and focused on advancing climate solutions through collaboration and political support.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/philadelphia-energy-campaign-economic-impact-report/821584/
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Large-load customers can help commercialize new clean energy technology: CEBA
Large-load customers are turning to clean firm technologies like advanced geothermal and small modular nuclear reactors to power their operations, with the help of clean energy tariffs and bilateral customer-utility arrangements. Hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft are investing in clean energy power purchase agreements, focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal, to drive the development of new technologies and protect ratepayers. Small modular reactors are attracting investments for future data center operations due to their smaller footprint, and durable clean energy tariff designs are crucial for supporting these initiatives. Partnerships between customers and utilities are leading to innovative solutions, such as in Minnesota where Google and Xcel Energy utilized a green energy tariff to bring online a portfolio of resources including solar, wind, and long duration energy storage, resulting in the largest long duration energy storage system seen so far.
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How Illinois’ energy policy blueprint can address affordability, reliability
Illinois has passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act to address rising energy prices and grid challenges by focusing on local solar, storage, and energy efficiency. The act aims to avoid reliance on slow-to-build centralized power plants like gas and nuclear, utilizing community power networks and virtual power plant programs instead. The implementation of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) will manage peak energy demand and avoid costly spot power from peaker plants, while also targeting 3 GW of utility-scale energy storage by 2030. Illinois is taking a proactive approach to creating a cleaner and more affordable grid, leading the energy transition with a focus on efficiency, storage, and long-term energy planning to ensure reliability without relying on fossil fuels.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/illinois-energy-policy-affordability-reliability-vote-solar/820280/
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Common‐sense state action can unlock a geothermal revolution in Utah and beyond
Next-generation geothermal energy is emerging as a credible solution for providing always-on, emissions-free energy in the Western United States, with Utah leading the way through its subsurface expertise and research site FORGE. The main barriers to geothermal growth are policy and finance, with outdated permitting frameworks and uncertainty about grid access hindering development. Governors in the West have the opportunity to unlock untapped geothermal potential by modernizing regulations, investing in subsurface data, and deploying grants to support projects. The Western Governors Association Chair Initiative aims to integrate geothermal into the broader energy conversation to create a more resilient and reliable energy system in the region, emphasizing the importance of smart coordination and policy competition between states to make geothermal energy a key component of the Western energy system.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/enhanced-geothermal-utah-west-catf/820168/
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NY’s 2027 budget includes climate, emissions reduction rollbacks: Gov. Hochul
New York State is updating its climate goals and emission reduction deadlines through reforms outlined in its 2027 budget, which includes a shift from a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to a 60% reduction by 2040. The budget also enhances funding for disadvantaged communities and updates the accounting standard for emissions impact. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and financial struggles in the offshore wind industry, the state is introducing legislation to accelerate decarbonization and hold companies accountable for their carbon footprint. This includes the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which requires large entities to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as laws aimed at reducing industrial pollution and limiting the sale of consumer goods containing toxic chemicals.
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Dominion upbeat on offshore wind as cost estimate eases, sales rise
Dominion Energy is prioritizing the completion of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the largest wind farm in the US, by June 2027. The project is 75% complete with 9 out of 176 turbines installed, with an estimated capital budget of $11.4 billion and expected fuel savings of $5 billion over 10 years. Dominion's focus on transmission and distribution infrastructure, along with the growth in data center capacity, is driving significant regulated investment needs. Additionally, Dominion's Virginia territory will see an increase in gas generation, solar, and energy storage spending, with more opportunities for regulated capital deployment in the early 2030s. A new Virginia law requires Dominion to petition for 20 GW of energy storage projects by 2040, up from 3 GW by 2035, which will be reflected in the company's capital update next year.
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Octopus Energy, Lunar Energy roll out battery-enabled electricity plans in Texas
Octopus Energy, Lunar Energy, GVEC, and other companies in Texas are introducing innovative electricity plans that include high-capacity home batteries and smart thermostats to reduce costs and manage power usage. These plans aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of smarter, more flexible energy solutions for customers, with fixed pricing and grid services included. The trend towards battery-based retail electricity programs in Texas is growing, with a focus on offering discounted energy storage hardware and home backup power. Partnerships like the one between NRG and Renew Home are also working towards deploying flexible capacity through residential demand management programs, showcasing the potential for widespread adoption of climate-friendly solutions in the state.