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

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

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

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

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

Hawaiian Electric takes first steps to utility-scale commercial energy storage

The utility has big plans for the technology, but wants to see lower costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Montana PSC extends energy, PURPA contracts to 15 years

The ruling applies to all energy contracts, not just PURPA, though some regulators expressed qualms over extending the contract length. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

Massachusetts starts inquiry into energy storage eligibility for net metering

Regulators will also examine the qualification of net metering facilities to bid into ISO-New England’s forward capacity market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

Updated: Illinois Power Agency seeks comments on new procurement rules

IPA is seeking comment on revisions to net metering policies, a new rebate for smart inverters for photovoltaic projects and new compliance obligations for Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

FERC terminates inquiry on cybersecurity controls for grid control centers

The agency said current cybersecurity measures provide sufficient protection from cyberattacks and some of the proposed modifications could pose operational risks.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Elon Musk says Tesla can help rebuild Puerto Rico's grid. Governor says 'let's talk.'

Elon Musk issued another Twitter challenge saying his company could rebuild the island's decimated grid with solar-plus-storage systems. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

Western states push to expand EV charging network

The electric vehicle corridor will knit together 5,000 miles of freeways and 11 interstates across seven Western states. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

California grid operator urges less fossil-fuel use in new report

The decline of gas-fired generation, decentralizing electrical service and regional coordination are among the eight trends identified by CAISO.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

A trio of storms could mean grid modernization in hard-hit areas

Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas all have an opportunity to reassess their power system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2017

ENGIE and Massachusetts utility team up for 6 MWh energy storage project

Holyoke Gas & Electric's solar-paired facility will be the largest battery storage facility in the state, according to the company.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 5, 2017

California energy storage siting bill signed into law

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed the measure aiming to speed the siting of energy storage projects in state counties and cities. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2017

Energy storage good option for frequency response, group says

The technology could find expanded uses if federal regulators agree with the Energy Storage Association.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 3, 2017

Report charts a path for more corporate purchases of utility-scale solar power

To get companies to buy more solar, the report says utilities should consider working with stakeholders to develop purchasing options in areas where solar is most cost-competitive.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

Suniva, SolarWorld revise tariff, floor price proposals ahead of ITC remedy hearing

The petitioners proposed declining tariffs on solar modules and cells in addition to a declining floor price of $0.74/watt for solar modules.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017