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

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

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

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

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Solar and storage can meet power needs cheaper than outdated capacity analyses suggest, clean energy advocates will tell regulators this week.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

Idaho PUC says storage projects only eligible for 2-year PURPA contract

Franklin Energy sought 20-year PURPA contracts for four storage facilities, but regulators said those resources should be granted two-year contracts. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2017

PJM mulls capacity repricing strategies to tackle subsidy programs

Issues under debate include whether repricing should be triggered only when a subsidy occurs in a capacity delivery year and if retriggering would apply to carbon dioxide pricing schemes.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2017

Massachusetts utilities take divergent approaches to grid modernization

The state Attorney General's Office gave a qualified endorsement to National Grid's plan while roundly criticizing Eversource's plan. But approval of any plan is going to require a lot more work.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2017

Texas cooperative to build solar-plus-storage project in Liberia

Bandera Electric Cooperative in Texas is building the 70 kW solar-plus-storage project in Totota.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

South Australia calls for storage, renewable energy projects

A portion of the Australian province's $150 million (AUD) Renewable Technology Fund is already earmarked for Tesla's 129 MWh storage project. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

Neither resilience nor reliability can justify the rescue of outmoded power plants

Advanced Energy Economy's Arvin Ganesan and Dylan Reed urge the DOE to use clean energy technologies to achieve the aims of its grid study. 

By Arvin Ganesan, Dylan Reed • Sept. 5, 2017

AEP Ohio proposes $10M electric vehicle program

The utility's proposal was developed in cooperation with the Electric Vehicle Charging Association, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff and environmental groups.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2017

SEPA: US utilities added 257 MWh of storage in 2016

California, Ohio and Indiana led the way with storage installations in 2016, according to a new Smart Electric Power Alliance report.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

Tesla, Vestas pair up to develop ways to combine storage and wind

The deal moves the market for Tesla's batteries beyond its electric vehicles and Powerwall batteries designed for use in homes and businesses.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

DOE grid study will shift and accelerate energy regulatory initiatives

R Street Institute's Devin Hartman analyzes the DOE's grid study's impact on regulatory agencies and nationwide energy initatives. 

By Devin Hartman • Aug. 31, 2017

HECO files final $205M grid modernization plan

After Hawaii regulators rejected the utility's proposal as too expensive earlier this year, Hawaiian Electric Industries now proposes a more targeted — and cheaper — approach.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2017

New Jersey regulators to study impacts of widespread EV adoption

State regulators want to examine what infrastructure developments can be expected in the coming years, as well as what goals should be established.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2017

Sunrun, Comcast team up to market residential solar systems

Comcast plans to begin marketing the solar company’s services to its customers on a selective basis later this year.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2017

How Ocracoke Island's microgrid kept (most of) the lights on during last month's outage

At the height of the summer season, a construction accident severed the island's power. While backup generation failed, most residents still had power.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2017

What you need to know about microgrids

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By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 29, 2017

PacifiCorp strikes settlement to advance EV charging plan

The plan, directed by state legislators to accelerate transportation electrification, does not have support from ChargePoint, who opposes utility efforts to own the stations.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2017

Delaware Gov. Carney establishes working group to study offshore wind development

The working group is scheduled to submit a report to Gov. John Carney by Dec. 15 that recommends strategies for developing the state’s offshore wind resources.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 29, 2017

Microgrids are poised to grow as large utilities see a growth vehicle

These facilities could be going mainstream as big utilities ramp up C&I services. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2017