DOE lab embarks on two projects to help California hit 'zero net energy' residential goal

The state wants all new residential buildings to be energy-neutral by 2020.

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2017

ABB plans to roll out modular microgrid unit by end of 2017

The company says the unit can be applied to remote villages that are not connected to the grid, and as a back-up source of power for small commercial and industrial facilities. 

By Peter Maloney • May 30, 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

Nevada net metering bill clears Assembly, heads to Senate

The measure, which has bipartisan support, would restore the state's net metering policy close to its original retail rates. 

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2017

Powin, SDG&E ink contract for 6.5 MW, 26 MWh storage project

The project will help San Diego Gas & Electric meet its mandated storage goal of 165 MW by 2020. 

By Peter Maloney • May 25, 2017

Sunetric, Sunnova team up to offer solar + storage systems in Hawaii

The partners will offer customers the PowerStack product on a lease basis with monthly payments and no money down.  

By Peter Maloney • May 25, 2017

NY PSC order amends tariff to allow ConEd to export battery power to the grid

The PSC’s order also directs other utilities to study the effects of batteries to export power to the grid under existing dynamic load management programs.

By Peter Maloney • May 25, 2017

Brattle: Wider electrification key to averting both climate change and utility death spiral

Tapping into power demand from EVs and electrified heating can help the utility industry thrive as it pushes the economy toward deep decarbonization, the consultancy says. 

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2017

Nevada lawmakers pass bills for storage incentives, possible mandate

The slate of bills, which also includes a boost to low-income efficiency programs, now goes to Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) for signature.

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2017

As solar matures, rate design and incentive debates grow ever more complex

The newest national solar policy update finds policymakers considering more detailed programs to compensate DER owners and cover grid costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 23, 2017

Updated: Tucson Electric signs solar + storage PPA for 'less than 4.5¢/kWh'

While exact prices are confidential, the PPA for the 100 MW of solar and 120 MWh of storage would be less than half the cost of other major solar and battery contracts. 

By Gavin Bade , Peter Maloney • May 23, 2017

New York Gov. Cuomo plans 16 MW microgrid in the state capital

The gas-powered microgrid will provide backup power for the 90-acre Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza in Albany.

By Peter Maloney • May 23, 2017

Growing interest in electric vehicles spurs Pennsylvania PUC review

The Public Utilities Commission wants to know what kinds of tariff designs might help establish clear rules for third-party electric vehicle charging stations as part of the review. 

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2017

California muni IID completes first US demonstration of black start battery capability

Imperial Irrigation District's 33 MW / 20 MWh battery was able to start its combined-cycle natural gas turbine at the El Centro Generating Station.

By Peter Maloney • May 19, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Energy forms partnership with Vivint for US solar + storage systems

The partnership will allow customers the choice of buying a system outright or financing it through institutions Vivint uses for its solar business. 

By Peter Maloney • May 19, 2017

Sunrun CEO: 'Long-term growth rate' for residential solar still strong

Lynn Jurich sought to restore confidence at the GTM Solar Summit this week after the residential solar market slowed year-over-year for the first time in Q1.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 18, 2017

SoCal Edison should go back to the drawing board on its grid modernization proposal

Officials from two top solar groups argue the utility is taking the wrong approach in its pending rate case

By Ed Smeloff, Sean Gallagher • May 18, 2017

The SoCal Edison rate case: A canary in the coal mine for DER policy debates

SCE wants $2.1 billion to upgrade its grid for distributed resources — a request that's raised ire from consumer advocates and DER providers alike.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2017

Electric vehicles can be grid assets or liabilities. How utilities plan will decide.

New communications protocols and time-varying rates are needed to help utilities managing EV charging, a new SEPA paper argues.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 17, 2017

Stacked value: Combine distributed energy resources and goals to dramatically raise ROI

To increase the return on battery storage system investments, take a closer look at the benefits of stacking the value streams to cut project payback times in half.

May 17, 2017

Stem to expand storage at California State University campus with 4.2 MWh battery

Combined with an existing battery, the storage facility is slated for 6.2 MWh and will eventually be paired with solar.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2017

How to navigate California's mammoth SGIP storage incentive program

A new report from Strategen and Utility Dive outlines strategies to get a piece of $448 million in behind-the-meter storage incentives.

By Peter Maloney • May 16, 2017

Solar trade group SEIA opposes Suniva's panel tariff push in letter to ITC

SEIA argued Suniva is not representative of the larger PV manufacturing industry and that a tariff would be "extremely damaging" to the U.S. solar sector.

By Peter Maloney • May 16, 2017

Wartsila aims to become 'global systems integrator' with Greensmith acquisition

Buying the storage software provider moves Wartsila further into the energy storage market, less than a week after it announced a suite of new battery offerings. 

By Peter Maloney • May 16, 2017

Duke's truck-stop electrification project could mean big fuel savings

By allowing up to two dozen rigs to plug in at a North Carolina truck stop, Duke's project will help save 25,000 gallons fuel annually.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2017

California's SGIP program closes first funding round with $90M allocated

Nearly all the funding for the first step of the SGIP program was used up in the first day, with Engie and AMS winning the most money in the large-scale (over 10 kW) storage category. 

By Peter Maloney • May 15, 2017