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

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

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

AEP, Greensmith team up for storage+hydro project in Virginia

It will be one of the first new energy storage systems since PJM’s adoption of new frequency regulation signals and requirements for regulation service.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2017

Moniz: Utilities should prepare for very low carbon future

Despite current moves to support coal generation, the former energy secretary tells Utility Dive "there's no going back on the fight against climate."

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 19, 2017

Sunrun, nonprofits partner to deliver renewables projects to Puerto Rico

The effort is delivering solar microgrids, water desalination and purification systems, and water production systems to fire stations on the island.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2017

Charging options in focus as Florida prepares for rise of electric vehicles

Electric companies are poised to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and the expansion of charging infrastructure, a Florida Public Service Commission roundtable heard last week.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2017

New North Carolina regulatory order trims PURPA avoided cost rates

The state is also opening a request for proposals for 2 GW of renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 18, 2017

Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging

Utilities are offering new community solar customer segments with no upfront costs and combining it with demand response and storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 16, 2017

Sonnen plans solar+storage virtual power plant in Arizona home development

Mandalay Homes has partnered with Germany's Sonnen to install smart residential energy storage systems in a new Arizona community.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2017

California Gov. Brown signs bill directing utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

The new law, SB 338, requires utilities to develop carbon-free alternatives to gas generation for meeting peak demand in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 12, 2017

25% of remaining US coal fleet headed for retirement or conversion, new report says

Another 17% of the remaining coal fleet is uneconomic, according to a new Union of Concerned Scientists report.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2017

A bipartisan view on modernizing the US electric grid

Congress must incentivize power industry innovations yielding cleaner and more customized energy services, the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives write.

By Robert E. Latta, Jerry McNerney • Oct. 11, 2017