National Grid plans to install a 48 MWh battery storage system on Nantucket

The Massachusetts island is currently experiencing a rise in power demand and aging diesel generators, which provide partial backup power. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017

Getting on top of the next wave in energy storage: The utility-integrated era

Why is energy storage so important to managing ever-growing levels of distributed energy resources?

Nov. 9, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Virtual Power Plants

Virtual power plants and their ability to balance energy supply and demand are increasingly sought by utilities as electricity demand increases, but their lack of standardization remains a barrier.

By Utility Dive staff

Energy storage gets a bigger seat at the utility planning table

The growing inclusion of storage in integrated resource plans is, to some extent, the next step in the evolution of the technology at utility-scale.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

Who needs a NOPR? 7 ways to make wholesale power markets more reliable

DOE wants to support coal and nuclear, but grid operators and experts say greater power system flexibility is what's needed.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2017

Energy storage could hit 35 GW by 2025, new white paper says

The technology only makes up 0.5 GW of market share in the United States. But that's set to change, according to a new white paper.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

How Vistra's coal retirements could impact the Texas power market

Coal retirements are predicted to tighten reserve margins in ERCOT, but only time will tell if they will bring the higher prices fossil generators are looking for. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017

House GOP tax package boosts nukes, slashes wind, EV credits

The long awaited tax package includes an estimated $6 billion credit for nuclear power but would cut the wind PTC and end incentives for electric vehicles.  

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017

Despite earnings tumble, Tesla deploys 110 MWh of storage in Q3

The company said it is on track to deliver its 100 MW, 129 MWh energy storage project in South Australia, which it promised to build in 100 days.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017

Portland General to spend up to $100M for 39 MW of energy storage

The utility's plan will help it comply with Oregon's energy storage mandate, requiring major utilities to deploy a minimum of 5 MWh of energy storage by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

PNM issues RFP for 456 MW of resources, pushing for renewables and storage

The utility announced earlier this year that it plans to phase out coal-fired generation completely, replacing it with natural gas, storage, solar and its stake in the Palo Verde nuclear facility. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

Military microgrid spending could top $1B annually by 2026, Navigant finds

The U.S. Department of Defense is the world's largest consumer of petroleum, but it's exploring the use of microgrids to decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2017

SoCal Edison looks to decarbonize grid, transportation in new climate plan

The utility devised a framework that would help California meet its goal to slash emissions 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2017

Is solar+storage eligible for net metering in Massachusetts? Tesla and others want to know

The state could become the first to provide comprehensive guidance on pairing energy storage with solar installations.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 31, 2017

Enel moves into EV charging space with eMotorWerks acquisition

The move will provide EnerNOC, a subsidiary of Enel, with grid balancing resources in the form of electric vehicle chargers capable of bidirectional flows.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2017

New York Green Bank seeks $1B in private sector investment for clean energy projects

The bank also plans to start working with other states to help them establish similar funding entities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2017

Technology, markets and contracts — oh my! The keys to profiting from California's duck curve

California policymakers look to address renewables over-generation through smart investments in supply- and demand-side resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2017

Michigan regulators to solicit input on electric vehicle pilots in new order

The state regulators want input on rate design, grid impact and the role of utilities in developing charging infrastructure. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2017

Uptown Funk: Where will NYC get its peak demand capacity?

Few new peak providers have come online for the city because short-term market rules don’t offer investors the certainty they need.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2017

PSE&G brings solar+storage online for resilience at New Jersey wastewater plant

Public Service Electric & Gas now has three solar-plus-storage systems online in New Jersey — all aimed at providing power during extended grid outages. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2017

Tesla's first Puerto Rico battery project is a microgrid at a children's hospital

Small renewable energy and battery-based projects are being deployed on the island while work continues to rebuild the bulk power grid.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Storage, smart grid and energy efficiency companies see jump in VC funding: Mercom Capital

The technologies are on track to beat the $1.3 billion secured in 2016 after a 35% year-over-year increase in funds raised through the first nine months of 2017.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2017

Hydro-Quebec, DOE to explore collaboration on storage, EVs

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Canadian utility may partner to accelerate development of next-generation battery materials, processes and methodologies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

NY regulators move to protect consumers in DER market

The New York Public Service Commission says oversight is needed to prevent false promises by marketers of distributed energy resources. It isn't the first time regulators have come forward to protect consumers in the state.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2017

Greening the ramp: California looks to carbon-free resources to combat the 'duck curve'

A new law directs utilities to plan non-emitting resources to serve peak demand, sparking new debates about resource adequacy and the future of gas generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2017

Vestas, Windlab to launch world's first hybrid wind, solar and storage project in Australia

The 60.2 MW hybrid project in Queensland will feature 43.2 MW of wind turbines, 15 MW of solar panels and a 2 MW, 4 MWh lithium-ion battery.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2017