Renewables: As rooftop solar expands, states grapple with successors to net metering

Replacements to the controversial solar incentive have cropped up in Hawaii, California and elsewhere, but policymakers have struggled to devise a replicable model across the U.S. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 13, 2018

New Hampshire to use $4.6M of VW settlement to build EV infrastructure

The funds come from a $15 billion settlement between Volkswagen and the U.S. government after the automaker was caught rigging vehicle emissions tests.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2018

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AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

EMotorWerks provides CAISO with 30 MW of DR through smart EV charging

The EV chargers act as a virtual battery, providing up to 70 MWh of storage capacity to the California ISO market.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2018

APS rolls out 3 new customer-sited storage and efficiency programs

The new offerings for smart thermostats, batteries and efficient water heaters come as the utility fights against a 50% renewable energy initiative on the ballot this November. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2018

Initiative gives cities equal access to competitive EV bids

The Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative provides an online portal for cities to bid on the vehicles and charging infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 12, 2018

Arizona regulators approve lower rooftop solar credits for TEP, UNSE customers

Regulators did not cut solar compensation as much as the utilities wanted, but installers still worry the lower rates will hamper adoption. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 12, 2018

Southern environmental groups sue TVA over new rates, grid charge

The five groups allege the utility's proposed rate structure discourages distributed energy adoption in order to maximize profits. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 11, 2018

Lyft commits to 100% renewable energy, full carbon neutrality

The company is "doubling down on our climate and clean energy commitments" just in time for the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 11, 2018

Battery material shortage pushes developers to shift li-ion chemistries

Demand for nickel manganese cobalt batteries is outstripping supply, so some storage developers are turning to the more "rugged" lithium iron phosphate chemistry.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 11, 2018

Pepco unveils $15M transportation electrification program for DC

Electric vehicle growth has been uneven in the District of Columbia, where two-thirds of residents are renters and have limited access to charging infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2018

California ISO board approves measures to propel energy storage, DERs

CAISO's Board of Directors approved changes to how behind-the-meter energy storage resources participate in the ISO and measures to facilitate the use of demand response resources in the wholesale market.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2018

California EV integration strategy to focus on cost efficiency, cybersecurity

The developing Vehicle-Grid Integration Roadmap will help to prioritize specific actions as California works to meet its goal of bringing five million EVs on the road by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2018

Duke Energy petitions South Carolina regulators to extend solar net metering

While Duke Energy Carolinas reached its net metering cap in July, the utility said a temporary extension will provide "consistency and certainty" to customers while stakeholders reach consensus on a long-term solution.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 6, 2018

In first, US residential energy storage overtakes front-of-meter installations

For the first time, residential energy storage outpaced front-of-meter deployments, according to a Wood Mackenzie-Energy Storage Association report.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2018

Greenlots to demo real-time interaction between EV charging and power grid

The company will partner with Burns & McDonnell to test an open standards charging technology, which will allow real-time visibility into the network and data collection, to move into the utility sector.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

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. 6, 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. 5, 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. 5, 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. 5, 2018

California's BTM energy storage moves forward, but is it good for the climate?

Legislators extended the state's self-generation incentive program, but regulators want to improve its GHG reductions.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 4, 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. 4, 2018

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 • Sept. 4, 2018

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