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

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

NRStor wins approval for 7 MWh compressed air storage project in Ontario

Developed with Hydrostor, officials say the project in a Goderich salt cave will be the first fuel-free CAES facility in the world. 

By Peter Maloney • May 15, 2017

CAISO: Wholesale power prices dropped 9% in 2016 to $34/MWh average

The 2016 power price decline foreshadows an ongoing bout of negative pricing events experienced by the California grid operator this spring.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 12, 2017

National Grid taps AutoGrid to manage DR, DER projects in Northeast territory

The partnership is expected to enroll over 400 MW of demand response and distributed energy resource programs over three years.

By Peter Maloney • May 12, 2017

In the throes of bankruptcy, Suniva wants solar panel tariffs to shield manufacturing business

Suniva's complaint filed with the ITC could help U.S. panel manufacturers as a whole, but do wider damage to the solar industry. 

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

Wartsila adds energy storage, hybrid gas plants to its power portfolio

The power technology developer better known for thermal turbines is moving quickly into renewables and energy storage. 

By Peter Maloney • May 11, 2017

The next generation utility business model — what you need to know

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By Gavin Bade • May 10, 2017

Hawaii PUC nixes Hawaiian Electric bid to purchase oil power plant

Hawaii regulators said the benefit to ratepayers was "marginal," particularly since the utility has to hit 100% renewables by 2045.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

In Massachusetts, utilities take a collaborative approach to EV infrastructure

The state wants to see a 50-fold increase in electric vehicles, prompting a novel charging buildout approach from utilities.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2017