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

Solar sector steels for tariff fight after ITC harm ruling

Industry groups are pushing for softer trade remedies after the ITC found harm to domestic solar manufacturers last week. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 25, 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

CAISO proposes load-shifting product for energy storage

The program aims to reduce the need to curtail solar power during peak generation hours, combating negative prices.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 25, 2017

Xcel considers splitting off North Dakota operations

Divergent state renewable energy policies are pushing Xcel to consider separating its North Dakota and Minnesota operations.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 22, 2017

Reporter's notebook: Utility pilot projects could soothe contentious regulatory proceedings

Utility Dive reporter Herman Trabish says pilot projects can bridge divides between utilities and stakeholders. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2017

EDF sees rapid EV growth in business, reflecting global trend

Globally, EV adoption is on the rise. In the U.S., there could be 7 million zero-emissions vehicles on the road by 2025 — up from 567,000 at the end of 2016.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2017

What California's heat wave revealed about demand response

New demand response settlements for California’s wholesale markets haven't been implemented, but the heat wave showed they are necessary. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2017

Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Tech partner on 'microgrid cluster'

Over the summer, ComEd proposed a microgrid for Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, which would then connect to an existing microgrid on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2017

Solar insiders expect ITC harm finding, handing tariff decision to Trump

Sector leaders are confident the International Trade Commission will find that imported solar panels have hurt domestic manufacturers, but how the president will respond remains unclear. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 19, 2017

Storage gets boost as 100% renewables, grid expansion fail in California

The state isn't yet following Hawaii and its mandate to achieve a 100% renewable electric sector, but the Los Angeles area got an energy storage stimulus.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2017

An inside look at using energy storage to integrate renewable resources

Soaking up solar power during the day and dispatching it in the evening is often cited as a renewable-enabling use for energy storage, but in practice it's often not so simple.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 18, 2017

Missouri regulators to tackle utility regulations, DERs

The state's Public Service Commission will hold workshops in November and January that target emerging issues in regulation and resource planning.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2017

PJM task force heads into the next stage of capacity market redesign

The grid operator's capacity construct group will begin evaluating 10 proposals for market reforms this week.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 18, 2017

DOE seeks stakeholder input, data for net metering cost-benefit study

Public comments are due by the end of October, and the agency will present the study's findings to Congress. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2017

DOE awards $20M to commercialize new energy technologies

More than 50 projects at 12 national labs will receive funding to help them bridge the gap to commercial use. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 2017

Alectra Utilities CEO: 'Someone's going to cannibalize our business — it may as well be us'

"Someone's going to eat our lunch. They're lining up to do it," CEO Brian Bentz told Utility Dive. Here's how the Canadian utility is moving aggressively into DERs.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 14, 2017

California lawmakers mull using carbon trading revenues for EV incentives

There's $1.5 billion on the table from the state's cap-and-trade program, and a deal could be finalized this week before the Legislature adjourns.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2017

Illinois energy reform set to shape new solar business models for utilities

Rate-based returns on distributed resources could allow utilities to displace traditional investments and drive a community solar boom.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 13, 2017

DOE expands SunShot program after hitting original cost goal 3 years early

The new program aims to cut utility-scale solar costs to $0.03/kWh and boost durability and lifetimes in panels. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2017

Brattle: Regulatory barriers prevent stacking of battery benefits

Even in California's nation-leading storage market, stacking battery benefits still faces regulatory and rate design challenges, a new report finds. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 13, 2017

California Dems look to restart CAISO regionalization with 11th hour amendments

With only days left in the state's legislative session, lawmakers are pushing bills that would create a planning process for a full ISO across the western United States. 

By Gavin Bade , Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

Utilities see benefits in energy storage, even without mandates

Greater operational flexibility, customer savings, frequency response and black start capability were among the advantages cited by utilities in pursuing storage absent any legal requirement.  

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

Vivint, ChargePoint to pair home solar with EV charging

The companies plan to offer a suite of energy tools, including solar arrays, an EV charger, a home battery and an intelligent energy management system.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

California energy interests set to square off over Puente natural gas plant

Solar and storage can meet power needs cheaper than outdated capacity analyses suggest, clean energy advocates will tell regulators this week. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2017

Bill to California governor would direct utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

SB 338 would compel utilities to include considerations for peak demand management with storage, efficiency and DERs in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 11, 2017