Tesla's SolarCity to end door-to-door sales

The shift appears to be part of the company’s wider efforts to reduce customer acquisition costs. 

By Peter Maloney • May 2, 2017

San Diego water authority wants proposals for 500 MW of pumped storage

The water authority is looking for more detailed proposals after 18 responses to a previous RFP issued earlier this year. 

By Peter Maloney • May 2, 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

Consumer enablement: the future is now

As more consumers invest in distributed energy resources, utilities look for smarter ways to manage power output, substation automation and reporting.

May 2, 2017

California SGIP re-opens Monday with greater funding for energy storage

Under the revised program, 79% of SGIP’s $567 million budget through 2019 is now earmarked for energy storage projects.

By Peter Maloney • April 28, 2017

Pepco proposes off-peak charging rate for EV drivers in DC

The program would build on lessons in neighboring Maryland, where the utility found drivers readily changed charging behavior in reaction to rate design. 

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2017

California Senate committee clears bill for new energy storage rebate program

The bill passed out of the energy committee this week would establish a new storage incentive program to work alongside the existing California Solar Initiative and Self Generation Incentive Program.  

By Peter Maloney • April 27, 2017

Missouri utility partners with Swedish firm for energy storage pilot project

The 1 MWh project will allow the municipal utility to study how batteries can ease the integration of renewables. 

By Peter Maloney • April 26, 2017

Tesla looks to double size of global supercharger network

The company will increase the number of superchargers by 150% in North America. 

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2017

Stem expands into New York with plans for up to 14 MWh of battery installations

The company expects the first installations will be at four theaters in the New York City area as part of a NYSERDA technology commercialization program.

By Peter Maloney • April 26, 2017

Former FERC chair Jon Wellinghoff no longer at SolarCity

Wellinghoff left his role as chief policy officer at the solar company last week, according to media reports. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 25, 2017

Hydrostor comes ashore to turn old coal plants into compressed-air storage

The company's CEO says CAES can reduce the footprint of older coal plants, offering alternatives to new transmission lines and peaker plants. 

By Peter Maloney • April 25, 2017

Why utilities are more confident than ever about renewable energy growth

Concerns about integrating high levels of variable wind, solar and distributed generation are waning, Utility Dive's sector survey shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2017

Missouri PSC says they do not have jurisdiction over EV charging buildout

The decision could mean less investment by utilities in electric vehicle infrastructure, advocates say. 

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2017

LG Chem launches a suite of batteries for US residential storage market

The company will offer a low-voltage and high-voltage version, the latter compatible with SolarEdge inverters to integrate with rooftop solar. 

By Peter Maloney • April 25, 2017

Mercedes-Benz begins selling residential storage systems in the UK

Each installation can combine up to eight battery modules to create a system with a total capacity of up to 20 kWh.  

By Peter Maloney • April 25, 2017

Why US utilities should invest in innovation

To keep up with customer demand, utilities should get hands on with supporting clean energy startups. 

By Marilyn Waite • April 24, 2017

As funding slows, DOE touts 38 awards for small business research collaboration

Funding for cutting-edge energy projects has slowed since the Obama administration, but DOE still used Earth Day to highlight new collaborations at the national labs. 

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2017

Salt River Project signs PPA for 20 MW solar+storage project

A 10 MW battery paired with a solar array will help the utility study how to integrate more variable renewable generation. 

By Peter Maloney • April 24, 2017

New York to make $15M available to fund energy storage projects

NYSERDA is searching for existing technologies to demonstrate how storage can provide multiple power grid benefits. 

By Peter Maloney • April 21, 2017

SDG&E contracts for 5 energy storage projects totaling 83.5 MW

The utility will own the two largest projects — 30 MW and 40 MW, respectively — to enhance reliability and integrate renewables.

By Peter Maloney • April 21, 2017

The new all-of-the above: HECO looks to wind, solar and beyond for 100% renewables mandate

Hawaiian Electric Co.'s roadmap to a 100% renewables grid will rely on EVs and DERs alongside established central-station renewables.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

AMS signs deal with realty firm for 11 MWh of storage to create hybrid buildings

The systems from Advanced Microgrid Solutions are designed to automatically shift the buildings to battery power based on prices and demand response signals from Southern California Edison.

By Peter Maloney • April 20, 2017

Storage companies file FERC complaint against PJM regulation market rules

The Energy Storage Association argues PJM should have sought FERC approval for changes to the regulation market it says are unsuitable for short-duration batteries.  

By Peter Maloney • April 20, 2017

GE, DOE roll out ultrasonic clothes dryer prototype to reduce energy consumption

Sure, it's faster and more efficient, could save hundreds of millions of dollars and create thousands of jobs. But the real benefit? You don't need to clean the lint trap.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

Is grid defection still a threat to the utility business model?

Three studies debate solar-plus-storage economics, but all agree the technology will disrupt the power sector.

By Peter Maloney • April 18, 2017