Southwest Power Pool moves to boost reliability, storage amid CEO resignation

The buildout of cheap renewables and the large queue of battery storage projects prompted stakeholders to ask SPP to study the reliability impacts of a grid with less conventional generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 1, 2019

Wholesale electricity market design for rapid decarbonization: A decentralized markets approach

What wholesale market design would provide the best framework for integrating reliably and at least cost the new, clean resources that will be needed to de-carbonize the power system?

By Rob Gramlich and Michael Hogan • July 29, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants is shifting to a model that includes distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage and even electric vehicles.

By Utility Dive staff

Is SCADA your enterprise data speed bump?

The steep growth of distributed energy resources has sparked a correspondingly large growth of connected grid systems, devices, assets and Operational Technology data.

By Brad Harkavy • July 26, 2019

DOE announces $16M in funding for 14 tribal energy projects, including solar, storage

Several multi-million dollar solar and efficiency projects are expected to save tribes even more over project lifetimes.

By Max Witynski • July 25, 2019

Apple leads second-biggest year for commercial solar installations: SEIA

Power purchase agreements and off-site installations play an important role as more companies add solar capacity.

By Max Witynski • July 25, 2019

New York expands access to EV charging incentives, blocks Tesla from qualifying

The commission adopted a "technology neutral approach" to incentives available for new charging equipment, which it says will "better adapt to the rapid technological advancements in EVs." 

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2019

Cincinnati to add more EVs to its city fleet

The city is also engaging in programs to increase citizens' awareness of and exposure to EVs through partnerships with local and regional bodies.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2019

North Bay completes Canada's first utility-scale microgrid

The Community Energy Park in Ontario will deploy natural gas and solar for combined heat and power.

By Max Witynski • July 17, 2019

Toyota to partner with world's largest electric car battery supplier

The partnership will help Toyota secure supply in an increasingly competitive race to scale up EV production in the next five to 10 years.

By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2019

Tendril targets utility customer care trend, merges into a new platform

The company shifted its strategy from acquiring market leaders to providing end-to-end service to customers through a more integrated load management platform.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 16, 2019

VW and Ford expand partnership on EVs, AVs

Volkswagen will invest $2.6 billion in Argo AI, signaling the latest collaboration between major automakers adapting to new mobility trends. 

By Jason Plautz • July 15, 2019

Duke defends North Carolina EV pilot program after regulatory staff recommends rejection

Duke frames their request as a "pilot" with associated tariffs, but is "essentially requesting pre-approval of EV infrastructure investments that would be funded by customers," utility commission staff said.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2019

Pennsylvania regulators outline criteria for alternative rate proposals to support new tech

Several technologies are pushing the need for updated ratemaking principles, according to the Public Utility Commission, including rooftop solar, gas microturbines and combined heat and power projects.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2019

Arizona's new EV growth plan could save customers billions, groups say

State regulators on Thursday approved guidelines for electric vehicle pilot programs that include a focus on infrastructure, education and outreach as well as an analysis of where to locate charging stations.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2019

National parks get EV chargers through BMW partnership

One hundred EV chargers are being installed at parks across the country with industry-standard plugs for use across different brands.

By Jason Plautz • July 10, 2019

The new kid on the block: CCAs face credit, other challenges to lead California's renewable energy growth

Community Choice Aggregators say they will use resource diversity, distributed energy resources and load management to lead California beyond its 2030 renewables goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 8, 2019

Xcel, Minnesota Power propose subscription services, lower demand charges to propel EV growth

Adoption of electric vehicles has been relatively modest in Minnesota so far, but sales grew by 103% in the state from 2017 to 2018.

By Robert Walton • July 3, 2019

New York regulators assess potential for storage to replace peaking units in the state

A new report shows that at least 275 MW of peaking units, or about 6% of the total capacity in New York state, are potential candidates for replacement with six‐hour energy storage.

By HJ Mai • July 3, 2019

Utah approves Rocky Mountain Power's 600-battery apartment project

The Public Service Commission approved three demand-side management projects authorized by a 2016 law, focused on electrified transportation, storage and grid management.

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2019

Diversifying the Northeast power mix: Is offshore wind + storage key to the region's reliability?

As more New England states roll out offshore wind mandates, bringing the technology to scale is a portfolio priority.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2019

California regulators propose 2 GW new peak capacity to address reliability concerns

The state's Public Utilities Commission has launched a procurement track that could include renewables, storage, demand response and other resources, while limiting imports.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2019

Autogrid's Japan project could be world's largest virtual power plant, company says

The plant will add more than 10,000 assets between 2020 and 2021 and will ultimately include a broad range of behind-the-meter resources.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2019

Tendril buys FirstFuel as it pursues 'end-to-end' utility customer solutions strategy

The deal fits alongside Tendril's recent acquisition of EEMe and EnergySavvy, helping grow its utility customer experience and engagement solutions.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2019

French oil giant Total expands into US microgrid market with Go Electric acquisition

Battery manufacturer and Total subsidiary Saft sees the purchase as an important step in its strategy to accelerate the growth of its energy storage systems business.

By HJ Mai • June 19, 2019

Utility, EV coalition calls for 50% transportation energy reduction by 2050

The 50x50 Transportation Commission laid out more than three dozen policy recommendations, calling for stronger funding in electric vehicle infrastructure, among other things.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2019