Pressed duck: Clipping the curve with energy storage

Building on Arizona's cheap solar-plus-storage PPA could present a new way to mitigate the duck curve, but the utility that signed it is skeptical. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2017

Cypress Creek to develop 12 solar + storage projects for North Carolina co-op

The PPA will allow the Brunswick EMC to purchase solar at the avoided cost rate and still benefit from the capacity capabilities of the batteries.  

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 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

North Carolina passes solar reform bill with 18-month wind moratorium

The hold on new wind facilities was put in place by Republicans who worry the turbines could impede military aviation near bases in the state.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2017

CAISO defers proxy demand response resource sought by storage companies

Storage companies want the California ISO to speed completion of a bidirectional proxy demand resource product that would allow battery resources to consume excess renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2017

McKinsey: Cheaper batteries present imminent threat of load defection for utilities

Battery storage is already cost-effective for commercial customers and further price declines could lead some to cut their utility ties entirely, a new McKinsey report warns. 

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2017

EEI: 7 million electric vehicles could hit the road by 2025

The Edison Electric Institute and the Institute for Electric Innovation say roughly 5 million charge ports will be required to support the boom in electric vehicles. 

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2017

Citing 'Hughes v. Talen,' court rejects challenge to Connecticut's renewable RFP

The Allco case's interpretation of Hughes — the first from a federal court — is likely to have implications on challenges to nuclear subsidies in Illinois and New York. 

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2017

GE sells electric vehicle charging network to ChargePoint

The company acquired General Electric’s 1,800 commercial and 8,000 residential charging stations.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2017

Utility customer engagement — what you need to know

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By Gavin Bade • June 28, 2017

How New York City expects to save 75 MW this summer through demand response

The city's complex demand management program just registered its 400th facility and it's looking to expand further.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2017

California lawmakers mull expanding electric vehicle incentives

A proposed measure could designate up to $3 billion toward getting more zero emissions vehicles on the road.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2017

Southern Co. unit forms alliance with Advanced Microgrid Solutions

Southern will bring its experience at designing and building distributed generation solutions, mostly to commercial and industrial customers, to the partnership.

By Peter Maloney • June 28, 2017

As gas plants struggle, California seeks new flexible capacity strategies

With up to 6 GW of gas plants at risk of closure in the coming years, energy stakeholders are scrambling for new compensation techniques and zero-carbon alternatives. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2017

US mayors pass resolution to target 100% renewable energy by 2035

Leaders of more than 250 U.S. cities said they are committed to holding up their end of the Paris climate agreement, despite President Trump's decision to withdraw from the pact. 

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2017

VectorStat's distributed software stack: An elegant solution for microgrids

These intelligent inverters use dynamic communication, resilience and visibility to lower power generation costs and optimize overall system efficiency.

June 27, 2017

GTM: Proposed solar tariffs could put 47 GW of planned installations at risk

The analysis firm predicts "unprecedented demand destruction" if Suniva's tariff proposal is approved, threatening up to two-thirds of planned solar deployments. 

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2017

Montana regulators vote to cut PURPA payment rates by 40%

Regulators also trimmed contract lengths from 20 years to five years, with an option to extend for another five. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

NYSERDA announces $6.3M to commercialize storage for renewables support

The agency is looking for energy storage projects that can help advance the state's goal of obtaining 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

By Peter Maloney • June 23, 2017

Updated: New York lawmakers clear bill creating energy storage targets

The measure directs the state Public Service Commission to develop an Energy Storage Deployment Program, including a storage procurement target for 2030.

By Peter Maloney • June 23, 2017

Stop, collaborate and listen: California stakeholders want to open electric system communications

The state's utilities, DER providers and CAISO outline a new plan that would streamline communications between transmission and distribution operators and DER developers. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2017

Maui company aims for Hawaii's self-supply market with all-day storage option

HiVE Energy says its residential and commercial batteries can provide a full day of storage, making them appealing for Hawaii's non-export solar tariff. 

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2017

Utility planning: Integrating distributed energy resources for a more robust future

Developing more comprehensive planning activities that accurately assess the role of DERs allows utilities to get out in front of business challenges, empowering them to capitalize on opportunity.

June 20, 2017

Utilities in hot water: Realizing the benefits of grid-integrated water heaters

Water heaters offer storage capabilities at a fraction of the cost of batteries. The challenge is getting everyone a piece of the returns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 20, 2017

Genbright, Ice Energy team up for non-wires alternative storage on Nantucket

The thermal storage project aims to provide 1 MW of peak load reduction to avoid the need for a new undersea transmission line.

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2017

Navigant sees hybrid storage installations growing to 2.1 GW by 2026

Battery-battery and battery-capacitor combinations are expected to dominate the hybrid market for the next decade. 

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2017