Distributed Energy
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NY regulators weigh proposals to enhance distributed generation
The Public Service Commission wants to expand customer participation in Community Distributed Generation projects, while also considering the recommendations laid out in the state's Energy Storage Roadmap.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2018
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Deep DiveCan the price of rooftop solar keep falling?
"If prices keep dropping, [rooftop solar] adoption will continue and a smart utility CEO would watch the market and think about ways utilities can have some control over distributed resources."
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2018
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Xcel, Duke unveil $35M of EV investments in Minnesota, South Carolina
Duke Energy wants to test the vehicle-to-grid capabilities of school buses, while Xcel sees EVs as a way to leverage clean energy investments.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2018
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Portland General Electric to develop 'smart grids' in 3 Oregon towns
The trio of smart grids will serve 20,000 customers, allowing them to respond to demand management signals and maximize renewable energy consumption.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2018
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Chatterjee pushes grid operators to design market products for storage
Outside of PJM's Reg D product, there has been "little momentum" in recent years on market rules "particularly suited for storage," Chatterjee said Tuesday in a wide-ranging address on batteries.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 16, 2018
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Deep DiveSpotlight: 6 key issues driving the utility sector today
The industry is undergoing a fundamental transition as it moves away from a centralized, baseload-focused past to a more distributed, renewable future.
By Larry Pearl • Oct. 15, 2018
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Deep DiveCalifornia strives to nix its natural gas habit without letting the lights go out
The state relies on natural gas for reliability, but won't reach its 100% zero emissions goal without looking to alternatives.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2018
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Deep DiveBusiness Models: What utilities can learn from Amazon and Netflix about the future of ratemaking
Time- and location-based price signals can guide customer usage, but electricity subscriptions could give more control.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2018
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Deep DiveElectric Vehicles: The Swiss army knife of the grid
Experts see a future where electric vehicles provide an array of grid services, from demand response to soaking up excess renewable generation.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2018
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Deep DiveGeneration: Despite headwinds, natural gas reliance set to grow in much of US
Gas-fired generation has been called a bridge to a renewable future, but the length of the bridge depends on where it is.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 15, 2018
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Deep DiveGrid Mod: Transactive and distributed tech demand a new approach
Utilities must prove to regulators that grid upgrades will help integrate a new class of resources reliably and cost-effectively.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2018
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Port of Long Beach tests microgrid tech for critical operations
"This project will help us learn more about how to keep the power, and cargo, flowing," said Mario Cordero, Port of Long Beach executive director.
By Barry Hochfelder • Oct. 15, 2018
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Duke Energy to spend $500M on battery storage in next 15 years
Duke Energy is planning a large battery investment in the Carolinas, and on Monday asked state regulators to approve a solar project as well.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2018
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Deep DiveNew tool helps states identify EV policies that work, and those that don't
Vehicle purchase incentives have the most impact, according to the National Association of State Energy Officials rubric, while some popular policies may not be particularly effective.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2018
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Deep DiveDOE energy storage grants look to the day when renewables rule the grid
DOE program aims at low cost, long duration storage to meet grid needs when renewable penetration rises above 50%.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 09, 2018
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Deep DiveAre regulators hindering EV acceleration?
Utilities and regulators are starting to scale up charging infrastructure, but are finding it takes private vendor and utility "coopetition" to build the interoperable EV charging networks needed to satisfy drivers.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 09, 2018
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Michigan regulators clear Consumers PURPA rates, green tariff programs
Solar advocates say the avoided cost rates, on hold since November, will bring more certainty for potential investors.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 08, 2018
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Deep DiveProposed Pepco substation highlights DC's grid modernization battle
Pepco's proposed substation faces pushback from district residents and environmentalists as the utility looks to modernize the capital's grid in response to changing demand and population growth.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 04, 2018
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Brattle: Nevada could cost-effectively deploy 1 GW of energy storage by 2030
The state is revamping the planning process for its utilities, and the Public Utilities Commission is considering establishing an energy storage target.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 04, 2018
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Duke to install 530 EV chargers in Florida, study grid integration
The utility will focus EV charging infrastructure efforts on public spaces, making 10% of the installations in lower-income communities.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 04, 2018
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Coal lobby pleased as Trump nominates ally McNamee to FERC
The Department of Energy official is expected to align closer with White House priorities than former Commissioner Robert Powelson, who stepped down in August.
By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Oct. 4, 2018 at 9:40 a.m.
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Connecticut agencies say Millstone 'at risk' as Dominion seeks boost in clean energy RFP
If the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority agrees Dominion's Millstone nuclear plant is 'at risk,' it could receive above-market rates in Connecticut's solicitation for zero emission resources.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 03, 2018
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Deep DiveAhead of FERC storage order deadline, new rules begin to take shape in PJM
PJM Interconnection's straw proposal gives a glimpse into how energy storage might participate more in wholesale markets.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 02, 2018
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9 solar and storage executives share utility wish lists
From sharing system data to opening grid plans to DERs, distributed energy vendors have a long list of priorities for utilities to address.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 02, 2018
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OpinionWhen PJM's capacity market stops working for consumers is it time to leave?
Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan urges states with renewable energy mandates or nuclear subsidies to reevaluate their participation in the largest U.S. electricity market.
By Brien J. Sheahan