As the transition to a carbon-free grid relies on the integration of diverse renewable energy resources, the need for long-duration energy storage has become more essential. Storage systems capable of supplying energy for 10 hours or more, or adequate stored energy to provide firm capacity to the grid have been garnering attention to accommodate renewables and support grid stability.
Efforts to preserve and expand the U.S. nuclear fleet are figuring more prominently across the U.S., spurred by the growing demand for emission-free energy. In particular, policy actions and initiatives are geared towards making nuclear power more competitive.
Ambitious federal goals and initiatives to boost offshore wind power generation, coupled with state commitments, are opening new frontiers for the industry. Recent developments reflect the growing emphasis on transmission infrastructure upgrades and regional planning required to make these goals a reality.
Ambitious clean energy and reliability goals continue to drive grid modernization efforts ranging from proposed rules to encourage utility investments in cybersecurity to a $10.5 billion initiative to enhance grid resilience.
Technological advancements and climate goals are driving the transformation to distributed energy resources (DER), such as solar photovoltaic systems. The transformation, which is empowering consumers with more choices and energy management options, has also prompted an evaluation of potential cybersecurity risks stemming from anticipated future growth.
Federal and state initiatives to foster the growth of electric vehicles are on the rise, depicting the critical role that the transportation sector is poised to play in achieving climate goals and building a clean economy.
The New England region relies on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the winter to meet natural gas demand due to an inadequate gas pipeline network. The reliance on imports is increasingly fraught as the region competes in the global market where high and volatile prices pose supply risk and pricing uncertainty.
Across the U.S., transmission development initiatives are advancing at a swift pace to deliver on state policy objectives. Transmission expansion is essential to improve the integration of renewable energy and allow better utilization of intermittent, zero-carbon resources like solar and wind.
Discussions about carbon pricing continue to evolve as the strategy is increasingly viewed as a policy tool that can play an expanded role in a broader policy mix to meet ambitious climate goals.
The hydrogen market is changing amid federal and state initiatives to harness the technology to support decarbonization. Investing in clean hydrogen is viewed as a key component of efforts to progress towards the Biden administration's target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
A handful of states are revisiting natural gas line extension policies to eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups and support state climate policies that call for lower gas use and electrification of buildings.
The U.S. nuclear energy sector is now on the verge of a revival after years of premature plant closures and dim forecasts. Investments and tax incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), enacted in August, add new momentum to the nuclear power industry.
