Duke Energy

Duke Energy to Build Two Major Solar Projects in North Carolina Totaling 75 MW

Duke Energy developed a proposal for two solar projects in North Carolina that will increase solar capacity in the state. Pending approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), the company will build two projects that will total more than 75 MW. The 60-MW Monroe Solar Facility will be designed and built by Strata Solar. Crowder Construction will serve as the project EPC lead for the 15.4-MW Mocksville Solar Facility.

Duke Energy, LG Chem, Greensmith to Build Fast-Response Energy Storage System in Ohio

Duke Energy, LG Chem and Greensmith teamed up to build a battery-based energy storage system in Ohio, designed to enhance reliability and increase stability on the electric power grid. The new 2-MW storage project will assist in regulating electric grid frequency for PJM, the transmission organization that powers much of the eastern U.S. The system will be built at Duke Energy's retired W.C. Beckjord coal-fired power plant in New Richmond, Ohio, and is expected to be operational by late 2015.

Duke Energy Buys 7.5% of Previously Announced Sabal Trail Pipeline

Duke Energy bought a 7.5-percent ownership stake in the proposed and previously announced $3-billion Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline that will traverse Alabama, Georgia and Florida to meet the growing need for natural gas in those states. Duke Energy's commercial power business unit will invest approximately $225 million in the approximately 500-mile underground pipeline - from Tallapoosa County, Ala., to Osceola County, Fla. - during the next seven years. The pipeline, scheduled to begin service in 2017, requires federal and other regulatory approvals.

Duke Energy to Build Fully Lined Coal Ash Landfills at Dan River And Sutton Plants

Duke Energy plans to submit permits to construct fully lined on-site landfills at the Dan River Steam Station in Eden, N.C., and the Sutton Plant in Wilmington, N.C. The landfills will be located on plant property and will provide a permanent storage solution for more than 6 million tons of coal ash at the two sites. The projects will also have contingency capacity for additional excavation at the sites, if needed. The proposed landfills are in addition to off-site solutions that Landfills at each site will feature multiple layers of synthetic and natural barriers.

Duke Energy Completes Sale of its Non-Regulated Midwest Generation Business to Dynegy

Duke Energy completed the sale of its non-regulated Midwest Commercial Generation Business to Dynegy for $2.8 billion in cash. The transaction includes ownership interests in 11 power plants and Duke Energy Retail Sales, the company's retail business in Ohio. The non-regulated Midwest generation business sold to Dynegy includes 11 merchant power plants in Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania with a capacity of approximately 6,100 MW. The company began the process to exit its non-regulated Midwest Commercial Generation Business in February 2014.

Regulatory Roundup

2004 FERC roundup: Path 15 Upgrade; Gas Bypass Pipeline; Power Line Communications; Gen Station Power Needs; ISO Retail Service; Renewable Energy Portfolios; Gas Supply Risk; Fuel Cost Hedging; Utility Supply Solicitations; Provider of Last Resort; Coal Seam Gas; Deceptive Marketing Practices; Renewable Portfolio Standards.

AREVA Wins Contract from DOE to Develop Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel

AREVA Federal Services (AFS), an AREVA subsidiary in the United States, was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to continue the development of next generation fuel for light water nuclear reactors. This program aims to develop enhanced accident tolerant fuel (EATF), a fuel that is more resistant under severe accident conditions, particularly those involving a loss of cooling. The AREVA-led team, comprising the U.S.

Duke Energy Commits $500 Million to North Carolina Solar Power Expansion

Duke Energy committed $500 million to a major expansion of solar power in North Carolina. The company will acquire and construct three solar facilities - totaling 128 MW of capacity - including the largest solar PV facility east of the Mississippi River. Duke Energy also signed PPAs with five new solar projects in the state, representing 150 MW of capacity. Together, the eight projects will have a capacity of 278 MW.

Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas Select Dominion to Build Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas selected Dominion to build and operate the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a 550-mile interstate natural gas pipeline from West Virginia, through Virginia and into eastern North Carolina to meet the region’s rapidly growing demand for natural gas.

Digest (Sept 2014)

Duke Energy Progress agreed to purchase $1.2 billion in generating assets from North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency; ABB won a $400 million order that would create the first electricity link between Newfoundland and the North American power grid; Siemens Energy secured an order for a total capacity of 36 MW in Germany; NextEra Energy Partners’ Bluewater Wind Energy Center in Ontario began commercial operation; the Department of Energy took the first step toward issuing a $150 million loan guarantee to support construction of the Cape Wind offshore wind project; and others ...