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

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants is shifting to a model that includes distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage and even electric vehicles.

By Utility Dive staff

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

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

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

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

Why it's time to fully embrace America's energy grid diversification

U.S. regulators should help drive more distributed resources into the grid, ICF's Philip Mihlmester writes, recommending how they can do so to the benefit of energy consumers and utilities.

By Philip Mihlmester • Sept. 29, 2017

Tampa Electric agreement calls for 600 MW of new solar power by 2021

The projects stem from an agreement reached with consumer groups and will significantly boost the utility's 27 MW of current solar capacity.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2017

Connecticut energy plan raises tough questions on comparative resource valuation

Critics say the state's comprehensive energy plan falls short in capturing the full costs and benefits of energy technologies.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2017

ABB shores up electrification business with $2.6B GE unit purchase

The Swiss company expects its acquisition of GE Industrial solutions will close by mid 2018 and increase its presence in North America.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2017

GTM: Grid-tied residential storage to outpace off-grid deployments in 2017

Utilities are encouraging homeowners to deploy grid-connected storage as a way to reduce the effect of high solar penetration on the grid.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2017

San Francisco studying solar-plus-storage systems to boost local resiliency

The city is studying alternatives to diesel generators to help in earthquakes and other major disasters.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2017