To put more renewable power to use, utilities are doubling down on battery storage

Jan 16, 2024
Giant batteries can extend the reach of wind and solar power — which accounted for 22% of electricity generated last year, the EIA says.
Rows of lithium ion batteries that store renewable energy. The EIA expects utility battery storage to nearly double by the end of 2024.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

As one new offshore wind project is approved, two others are canceled — for now

Nov 2, 2023
More offshore wind projects are being approved, but many are also running into economic and logistical challenges.
An offshore wind farm off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island.
John Moore/Getty Images

Wyoming, long known as a top coal producing state, makes a big move into wind energy

Jul 31, 2023
A new power line project will transfer Wyoming wind to supply parts of the Southwest with electricity. Wyoming’s focus on renewable energy is a shift from its history with fossil fuels.
Wyoming’s Republican Governor Mark Gordon attended the ground breaking ceremony. Despite the state’s fossil fuel history, he said this project is needed to address climate change.
Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Media

The Inflation Reduction Act will generate more than 1 million wind and solar jobs by 2035

Jun 12, 2023
How to staff up the slew of renewable energy projects ushered in under the legislation is a pressing question within the industry.
As renewable energy projects get underway, new jobs will be created in construction and especially in manufacturing. Above, wind turbine blades in New Mexico.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

It should be a golden moment for renewable energy. It's not.

Apr 22, 2022
Solar, wind and nuclear energy confront old and new obstacles to competing with fossil fuels.
The trade war between the U.S. and China is causing solar projects to get delayed or canceled. 
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

A gust of wind energy blows through the U.S.

Aug 25, 2021
Last year was a record year for installation of wind energy equipment, partially benefiting from five years straight of federal tax credits for producers.
A windfarm is seen near Palm Springs, California, in December 2006. Wind energy is the country's largest renewable energy source, but on-again, off-again tax credits have hindered turbine manufacturing.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images

American wind power draws big investments

Dec 17, 2018
The wind power industry is still catching its breath after a remarkable auction. Last Thursday, and into Friday, wind energy companies outbid each other for the right to build wind farms off the coast of Massachusetts. In the end, the winning bids before the Interior Department were higher than the latest auction price to drill […]

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A new wind turbine inspired by a palm tree, big as the Empire State Building

Oct 22, 2018
Today's land-based turbines produce 5 megawatts of power. This new one could produce 10 times more.
Wind turbines towering over deserts usually produce 5 megawatts of power each.
Melanie Conner/Getty Images

A new wind turbine inspired by a palm tree, big as the Empire State Building

Oct 22, 2018
Today's land-based turbines produce 5 megawatts of power. This new one could produce 10 times more.
Wind turbines towering over deserts usually produce 5 megawatts of power each.
Melanie Conner/Getty Images

Moving wind power further offshore could change the renewable equation

Jul 27, 2017
Wind energy provides more than 5 percent of the nation’s power, but the U.S. still lags behind other countries when it comes to offshore wind. Efforts to build it up face opposition from people who fear wind turbines will mar their ocean view and drive down property values or tourism. A bill now in Congress […]