Market-based IRPs: A new paradigm for grid planning?

Instead of forecasts, utilities like Hawaiian Electric and Xcel are beginning to use real-world prices in their integrated resource plans, allowing them to better compare renewables and DERs to traditional grid investments. 

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2018

EDF to invest nearly $10B in energy storage by 2035

The French utility giant is targeting the residential sector in France and Europe with a variety of self-consumption services that use batteries.

By Peter Maloney • March 29, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Itron, Sonnen say battery partnership will let utilities maximize grid efficiency

The demand response-enabled system will store and discharge energy to keep electric bills low and maximize the use of solar energy, the companies said.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

Proposed Texas rule highlights storage's challenges in bridging competitive, regulated energy markets

Energy storage’s unique characteristics make it a difficult fit on the regulated side of Texas’ power market.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2018

Connecticut legislature poised to act as community solar collides with net metering

Connecticut’s utilities object to a new community solar policy while its advocates say proposed utility changes to net metering are unacceptable.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2018

Update: Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bill to undermine RPS ballot proposal

The measure will minimize financial penalties for utilities that fail to meet renewable energy targets, muting a ballot proposal pushing 50% renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2018

On the duck's 10th birthday, here's how to keep it from eating the power system

Before anybody saw how fast solar would grow, researchers described what it would do to the grid and started working on solutions now being implemented.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 22, 2018

Time is not on their side: Utilities ill-prepared for EV demand, SEPA finds

Most utilities remain in the very early stages of preparing for a significant jump in demand, according to the Smart Electric Power Alliance.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2018

Project finance getting more viable for energy storage, Moody's says

New financing options could be available as declining costs and regulatory support spur energy storage projects.

By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2018

Nearly 1/3 of planned gas peakers at risk from energy storage, GTM finds

While it could take a while to compete with existing peakers, storage costs are dropping at a rate that could start making it competitive with new peaking plants in about five years.

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2018

New business models may be the next frontier in lower energy storage costs

Often overlooked in discussions about the declining price of energy storage are business models that aim to lower capital expenses.

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2018

CEC: California EV chargers will add 1 GW of peak demand by 2025

A new report from the California Energy Commission also details the "Dragon Curve" — expected electricity demand effects of electric vehicle growth. 

By Gavin Bade • March 20, 2018

California's dream of a regional power market faces the risks of a Trump FERC

California's proposed regional electricity market could could generate up to $1.5 billion in annual benefits and reduce GHG emissions up to 10%, but it could be subverted.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2018

A complicated calculus keeps the remaining coal fleet alive

The U.S. coal fleet is half the size it was 10 years ago. How are the remaining plants hanging on?

By Peter Maloney • March 19, 2018

Pennsylvania proposal could bolster EV charging infrastructure

The Public Utilities Commission is proposing to declare that electric vehicle charging is not considered resale/redistribution.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2018

In the New South, customer demand is showing utilities the dollars and sense in solar

With load flat to declining, utilities in the Southeast are investing in almost no new generation but can't resist customer demand for renewables and the new solar economics.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 15, 2018

FERC tries to thread the needle in debate over markets versus mandates

Is FERC destroying markets in order to save them, Montana Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Travis Kavulla asks.

By Travis Kavulla • March 13, 2018

New TVA rate plan includes lower energy prices, grid access charge

The federally-owned utility says its proposed rate structure will "better align wholesale rates with the underlying costs" to serve its 154 local power companies. 

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

From smart grid to neural grid: Well, how do I get there?

The interplay of smart infrastructure, end-user devices, and applications and services, is what takes the smart grid of today into the Neural Grid future, Navigant's Richelle Elberg writes.

By Richelle Elberg • March 9, 2018

GE aims to enhance solar, wind power performance with new storage platform

The company wants to make inroads into the utility-scale storage market with Reservoir, a modular, four-hour duration battery system.

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2018

Maryland is 290K shy of its EV goal; Can a broad stakeholder process get it there?

State regulators brought utilities, customer advocates and charging companies to the table. The result could be the second largest charging network in the nation.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2018

All in or half there: Maryland Legislature debates two different RPS bills

Lawmakers are debating two bills that would raise the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50% or 100%. Analysts say the 50% increase will likely muster more support than the other measure. 

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2018

California utilities offer $10K rebate on new BMW electric vehicle

The hefty rebate will help the state meet its goal to put 5 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2018

The flip side of FERC's landmark storage order: A call for states to take action

State action will be essential to reach the full potential of FERC Order 841, The Brattle Group says in a new report.

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2018

Tackling the perverse incentive: Utilities need new cost recovery mechanisms for new technologies

If utility regulators change key accounting rules, utilities could ratebase contracted cloud computing and DER services, cut customer costs and benefit stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2018