image of powerlines
In the quest for abundant clean energy in the PNW, markets matter
The way grids are operated—including building out transmission infrastructure in the necessary geographies where energy is needed, controlling flows, and handling electricity sales—is a critical piece of our clean energy transition.
Smart grid
ClimateCast logo over offshore wind farm

Mega-firms pledge $140 B in climate investments

Wind and solar lead renaissance in Buffalo, NY; construction begins on first US offshore wind farm; France to quadruple its price on carbon; and more news of the week in clean energy solutions.

ClimateCast logo over Solar Impulse

Solar price hits new low, mercury reaches new highs

United Airlines buys stake in biofuels firm; China, Brazil, and Korea announce climate pledges; micro-grid improves electric service for California desert town; and more news of the week in clean energy solutions. 

ClimateCast logo over photo of solar installer

Top oil firms call for carbon price as Bonn talks begin

Kodiak utility goes 99.7 percent renewable, big rigs get a fuel economy makeover, EPA eases biofuels requirements, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions.

ClimateCast logo over Ivanpah power station

PV power surging ahead — no thanks to Moore’s Law

Biologists tally bird deaths at power tower, Tesla to offer home battery plus solar panels you can lease, Obama finds his climate anger, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions. 

ClimateCast logo over drilling rig climbed by Greenpeace

EPA power rules may bring carbon trading to Midwest

New project will store excess solar power as hydrogen and renewable gas, Vancouver aims to be carbon-free by 2050, 23 gigawatts of coal plants to retire this year, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions.

Smart grid and solar

How to make friends and influence people on smart grid

Attention mid-career workers and graduate students in the Portland-metro area: there is still time to register for an engaging course series called

ClimateCast Logo over Shishmaref beachside cabin

Under Lima pact, all nations to cut carbon...voluntarily

Cheap petroleum leads firms to stop oil drilling, South Carolina gets net-metering for solar, carbon taxes get backing from studies in Oregon and Canada, and more stories of the week in clean energy solutions.

ClimateCast Logo over climate marchers

Ripples keep spreading from NY climate summit

Climate Week spurs new pledges from businesses, KLM to power its planes with a biofuel mix, Google and Facebook dump their ties to ALEC, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions.

Getting Smarter

The Executive Director for Smart Grid Northwest answers a key question: What exactly IS smart grid? And he provides 5 great reasons why it matters to all of us.

A modern energy system for a changing climate

It's time for Northwest utilities to improve coordination of our region’s flexible generation through an Energy Imbalance Market (EIM).

Give for a brighter future

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CleanTech Showcase 2016

CleanTech Showcase is the Pacific Northwest’s premier cleantech business event. This one-day event gathers the industry’s best and brightest to learn about the latest clean technology innovations, research and investment opportunities.

Engage the industry’s best and brightest while seeing the latest cleantech innovations from across the region.

  • Network with 350+ industry leaders, investors, media and policymakers.

  • Hear and learn from renowned speakers across research, investing and industry.

International Conference and Workshop on Transactive Energy

The GridWise® Architecture Council and Smart Grid Northwest are pleased to announce that the Third International Conference and Workshop on Transactive Energy will be held May 17 through May 19th, 2016, in Portland, Oregon, at the World Trade Center.

The conference and workshops will bring together representatives of government, industry, utilities, vendor organizations and academia who have an interest in advancing transactive energy—an approach that combines economic and control techniques to improve power grid reliability and efficiency. 

The Coal to Clean Imperative

Puget Sound Energy is a crucial player on Washington's path toward a clean energy future, but its 20-year resource plan falls significantly short on the urgency and boldness we need to make deep, near-term carbon reduction.

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Local Impact 16 Conference

The #LocalImpact16 Conference will empower the next generation of sustainability and social responsibility leaders by providing access to networking events, engaging workshops, and discussions lead by professionals, activists and community leaders who are already creating change. We are looking for innovative and inspired people to join the movement and together we will maximize the positive impact we have on the prosperity of people AND the planet.