Plugged In | June 2026

Plugged In | June 2026

PJM Gets Emergency Approval to Curtail Data Centers 

An emergency order issued by the U.S. Department of Energy will allow the PJM Interconnection to curtail data centers and other large loads that have backup power during periods of hot weather before instituting rolling blackouts.  

Source: Reuters 

NERC: Summer Power Looks Solid, But Elevated Risks Remain in Several Areas 

In its recently released Summer Reliability Assessment, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation found that record generation additions are bolstering the grid's readiness, but some regions still face elevated risks.  

Source: Daily Energy Insider 

PV Power Generation to Surpass Coal in Texas 

The Energy Information Administration released its short-term energy outlook indicating that solar generation will overtake coal generation in Texas for the first time and is forecasted to reach 78,000 GW surpassing coals 60,000 GW.

Source: PV Magazine 

Kentucky Utilities Eye 266-MW Pumped Storage Project as Demand Drives Renewed Interest 

Kentucky utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, are studying a proposed 266 MW pumped hydro storage project that would cost $1.3 billion amidst rising energy demand. 

Source: Utility Dive

NextEra Will Buy Dominion Energy in Largest-Ever Electric Utility Deal 

NextEra is set to buy Dominion Energy in a deal that would create the largest regulated utility in the world with energy assets from coast to coast.  

Source: POWER

Energy Storage Market Outlook 

Battery energy storage system installations reached 9.7 GW in Q1 for 2026 marking the largest Q1 in history and a 32% year-over-year increase for storage systems.  

Source: Solar Energy Industries Association 

California Launches First Operational Carbon Storage Project 

California Resources Corporation has begun injection of carbon dioxide at its Carbon TerraVault I location, marking California's first operational carbon capture and storage project capturing a cryogenic gas plant.  

Source: Carbon Herald 

America's Abandoned Oil Wells Could Power the Next Geothermal Boom 

Several states have advanced legislation and studies to evaluate whether abandoned oil and gas wells can be converted into geothermal energy sites.  

Source: OilPrice.com 

How One Company Plans to Put a Nuclear Microreactor at Buckley Space Force Base 

Radiant Industries was selected to install a small modular reactor at the Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado with plans to test its reactor at Idaho National Laboratory this summer.  

Source: Axios 

Data Centers, Power Grid Demands Take Center Stage at Georgia Energy Summit

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce held its first ever State of Energy event with conversations surrounding centers and the power grid dominating the event. 

Source: CBS