We expect U.S. hydropower generation will increase by 7.5% in 2025 but will remain 2.4% below the 10-year average in our May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). Hydropower generation in 2024 fell to 241 billion kilowatthours (BkWh), the lowest since at least 2010; in 2025, we expect generation will be 259.1 BkWh. This amount of generation would represent...
Floating Solar Growth Raises Questions for Waterbird Habitats
As floating solar installations become more common across agricultural and industrial water bodies, researchers are raising concerns about how these systems may affect local ecosystems—particularly waterbirds. UC Davis scientists are leading research to explore how birds interact with floating photovoltaic (PV) infrastructure, urging the renewable energy sector to integrate ecological considerations early in the design process. From...
Geothermal Research Digs Deep for Future of Industrial Energy
In South Dakota, 8,000 feet below ground, scientists are advancing geothermal technologies with potential to reshape commercial energy use. At the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), a project led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is leveraging the extreme underground conditions to conduct critical research on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The work is part of the Center...
British carbon prices rise after news of deal on EU link
Britain and the European Union will work towards linking their respective carbon markets as part of a wider reset in relations, they said on Monday, leading to a 6% rise in British carbon prices. Both the EU and UK charge power plants and other industrial entities for each metric ton of carbon dioxide they emit as part...
Taiwan Shuts Last Nuclear Reactor as Energy Debate Heats Up
Taiwan started to shut its final nuclear reactor on Saturday as a 40-year operating license expired, in a move that could threaten the island’s energy security and climate goals. The load-shedding of the final reactor began from 1 p.m. local time and the system will be disconnected at about 10 p.m. before it’s safely shut...
The ‘clean transition tariff’ won approval in Nevada. What’s next for Fervo?
It was nearly a year ago that Google and the Nevada utility NV Energy unveiled the clean transition tariff, a novel rate structure that would allow large customers to pay a premium for power from emerging energy technologies. The third member of the cohort was enhanced geothermal company Fervo Energy, the developer whose project would be...
Low-Energy Fridays: If Our Grid Goes Down, How Do We Get Our Lights Back On?
Two weeks ago, tens of millions on the Iberian Peninsula lost electricity. While the reason for the disturbance could take years to discern, it’s likely that no single cause led to the blackout. Previous issues of this type and magnitude resulted from a confluence of mishaps and misfortune. If the American experience is any gauge, a final assessment of the...
Nevada Lithium Breakthrough Could Lower Costs and Boost U.S. Supply
Century Lithium is making progress at its Angel Island project in Nevada, with new test results showing their process for extracting lithium is working better than expected. The company has been running a full-scale test facility, known as a Demonstration Plant, to try out improved ways of pulling lithium from clay-rich ground near Silver Peak. Read more...
Senate approves Trump No. 2 picks for Energy, Interior
The Senate has approved President Trump’s picks for the No. 2 positions at the Energy and Interior departments. Tuesday evening, the Senate voted 52-44 to approve James Danly to be the deputy Energy secretary. Independent Sen. Angus King (Maine), who typically caucuses with Democrats, joined Republicans in voting in favor of the nomination. And on Wednesday, the upper chamber approved...









