Distributed Energy: Page 2

Sonnen aims to unify all aspects of the smart home

Through its new smart energy management system, Sonnen will unite home automation, residential solar and energy storage with intelligent load control.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 06, 2018

US residential storage capacity sees 317% growth

A survey compiled by the Smart Electric Power Alliance shows rapid growth in the deployment of residential storage resources, but relatively steady numbers in other storage sectors.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 05, 2018

Iowa launches electric vehicle infrastructure proceeding

While the state had less than 2,000 EVs on the road last year, a potential rulemaking on charging infrastructure from the Iowa Utilities Board signals a greater focus on electrified transportation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 05, 2018

EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 05, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 04, 2018

Opinion

Cyberthreats require strengthened standards, increased government collaboration

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan and former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson wrote about the importance of establishing cybersecurity compliance standards at the distribution level.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Robert F. Powelson

Energy storage gets a boost as California legislature extends SGIP

Extension of the Self Generation Incentive Program ​program could help the growth of rooftop solar in California.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2018

Distributed solar saved ISO-NE consumers $20M during July heatwave, report says

Customer-sited solar in New England can reduce peak demand by up to 1 GW, according to a new analysis by Synapse Energy Economics. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Oregon projects incorporate solar output insurance in financing

Hedges against solar output could help lower cost to finance projects.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2018

Renewables push CAISO prices lower, threaten inflexible generation

A new report finds uneven price distribution in utility-scale solar disproportionately affects baseload generation, such as coal and nuclear. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2018

FERC says SCE can't treat storage customers differently in service

Southern California Edison sought authority to curtail electricity service to storage customers first during times of peak demand, but FERC said that would be "unduly discriminatory."

By Gavin Bade , Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

Oklahoma AG opinion clears way for third-party solar ownership

Oklahoma's solar industry could see a boost from an opinion by the state's attorney general, which concludes third-party ownership and leasing arrangements are allowed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

PacifiCorp, Idaho Power agree to make CAISO their reliability coordinator

As the California grid operator draws closer to filing at FERC for approval of its Reliability Coordinator services, two more utilities have signed on following a commitment by the Balancing Authority of Northern California in July.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 24, 2018

New York unveils new toolkit to drive solar on brownfields

The procurement guidelines aim to spur community solar development on landfills and other underutilized land, advancing the state's 50% renewable generation goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 24, 2018

Tucson Electric proceeding lays groundwork for customer solar+storage rate

Residential solar advocates wonder what sort of solar-plus-storage rate can sweeten the deal for TEP customers in the "post net metering paradigm."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 22, 2018

Opinion

Does your utility have a survival strategy?

Faced with a changing competitive landscape and an uncertain regulatory environment, utility organizations are increasingly employing new cloud and digital strategies to ensure not only success, but survival.

By Michael O’Donnell

US military pushes clean energy with largest on-base battery

Sited in Colorado, the 8.5 MWh behind-the-meter lithium-ion battery will be the largest stand-alone commercially contracted battery at an army base, according to the developers.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

Smart meter readings are a valid 'warrantless search,' court rules

Smart meter opponents challenged the public utility of Naperville, Ill., over its data collection, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit deemed as warrantless, but not unreasonable.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2018

AEP rolls out $10M Ohio EV infrastructure incentive program

The money will support up to 375 EV public charging stations and is intended to provide insight on how their availability impacts the decision to make the switch to an electric vehicle.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2018

Ontario develops largest BTM storage system in North America

The system highlights opportunities for addressing Ontario's high demand charges.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 16, 2018