US, EU research further integrates solar and storage

An energy-storing solar cell? Medium-voltage silicon carbide inverters? Research in the United States and Europe could make harnessing solar energy more efficient and cost effective.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Maine finds marijuana growers too risky for energy efficiency grants

Maine Efficiency Executive Director Michael Stoddard cited Attorney General Jeff Sessions' interest in shutting down marijuana operations.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

100% renewable energy omnibus clears Massachusetts Senate

The package of energy bills would also remove net metering caps, increase the storage mandate and void demand charges approved earlier this year for Eversource. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 18, 2018

Should the regulatory two-step give way to a new, performance-based dance?

Critics say traditional cost-of-service ratemaking is behind the times, but newer models require a complex production from a variety of industry players. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 18, 2018

Electrified heating with demand management could cut US carbon emissions 10%: RMI

The group's report suggests prioritizing retrofits for homes that currently provide heat with propane and heating oil.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2018

Scientists say new material can triple lithium-ion battery energy density

The research strategy could be applied to other high-energy conversion materials, and future studies may use the approach to improve other battery systems.

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2018

Trump nominates climate doubter Simmons to head DOE renewables office

Daniel Simmons used to work for the American Energy Alliance, a conservative lobbying group that advocated eliminating the DOE renewables office in 2015. 

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 2018

Consumers Energy to file plan for no coal, 43% renewables

The utility seeks to close its Karn coal plant and employ a barrage of grid modernization tools, demand response and efficiency to reduce demand by more than 20%.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2018

ISO-NE implements 'pay-for-performance' capacity market incentives

The new scheme will provide incentives to reward resources for investments that boost performance during periods of system stress.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2018

EIA: Southern California could face gas constraints this summer

The region is still struggling to deal with reduced capacity at the Aliso Canyon storage facility, almost three years after a massive leak was detected.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2018

SDG&E approved for 5 storage projects totaling 334 MWh

San Diego Gas & Electric also received authorization for a new demand response program to be managed by OhmConnect.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

End of the 'gas rush?' Renewables, storage reaching cost parity, report finds

Portfolios of clean energy and batteries will soon be cost effective, according to a new RMI study, but $110 billion in planned natural gas investments could slow adoption.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2018

Utilities target marketplace for customer interaction, energy savings

Branded online markets, like PG&E's Marketplace, can boost customer engagement while introducing new energy-saving rates and services.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2018

The energy sector is driving job growth, but not where you think

Energy efficiency and utility investments in grid modernization are growing sector employment.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2018

New England fully integrates demand response into wholesale markets

The grid operator for the region says it is the first to incorporate active demand resources into the energy dispatch and reserve-designation process.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2018

New Missouri law authorizes Ameren to invest $1B, cuts rates

Missouri Senate approval of the bill last month prompted Morningstar analysts to raise Ameren's share-price valuation.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Ameren Missouri rolls out $550M efficiency plan

The six year proposal is longer than previous efficiency efforts and includes more than a dozen programs.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018

PSEG proposes more than $5B in efficiency, grid upgrades

The proposal includes almost $3 billion for energy efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure and energy storage. It expands an investment plan that now stands at $14 billion to $17 billion over the next five years.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

California regulators get another year to consider demand response issues

The California Public Utilities Commission is reviewing an evaluation of the demand response auction mechanism pilot, but says the issues are "too complex to be addressed in the informal resolution process."

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

Duke agrees to cut North Carolina grid modernization plan by $5.3B

The utility will deploy at least 300 MW of energy storage projects on its system in North Carolina by May 2026, as part of a deal reached with environmental groups.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

California, New York, New Jersey see nearly $1.3B in new EV funding

The California PUC's approval of $738 million in utility electrification proposals represents the largest investment in charging infrastructure by a state to date, analysts said.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2018

NERC: Texas, California will face tight markets this summer

Texas is facing a generation shortfall, due in part to plant retirements, and California is facing a limit on natural gas output due to Aliso Canyon storage facility constraints.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2018

Vermont law 'ups the ante' on energy efficiency

To make up for federal inaction, Vermont has enacted energy efficiency standards for appliances, similar to the unpublished DOE standards released at the end of the Obama administration.

By Peter Maloney • May 30, 2018

Sonnen's latest funding round nets $70M, led by Shell Ventures

The company's "strategic cooperation agreement" focuses on innovative integrated energy propositions, EV charging solutions and grid services based on a virtual battery pool.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2018

Pittsburgh sets goal of 50% energy reduction in revised climate plan

Behind local leadership and strong public support, the plan also calls for the city to turn its operations to 100% renewable energy and to adopt a 100% fossil fuel-free vehicle fleet. 

By Jason Plautz • May 24, 2018