How Connecticut's nuclear bill could open a new front in the plant subsidy debate

A bill to support the Millstone plant would include nuclear facilities in renewable energy solicitations in an attempt to skirt legal challenges facing similar efforts in New York and Illinois. 

By Peter Maloney • April 3, 2017

Minnesota lawmakers propose new electric vehicle fees

An annual charge of $75 to $85 would be used to offset the loss of gas tax revenue from electric car owners.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

Indiana House committee advances bill to roll back solar net metering

The bill, which would lower the rate solar customers are paid for excess energy, has already passed the Indiana Senate.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

PJM: Gas plant buildout, coal retirements don't threaten reliability

A new report from the grid operator noted that more reliance on any single generation resource introduces resilience risks not accounted for under traditional reliability standards.

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

Lyon Group plans to build the world's biggest solar+storage project in South Australia

The developer said the 330 MW solar storage facility will be paired with a 400 MWh battery system. 

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

How California lawmakers plan to align renewable generation with power demand

Two new bills present distinct approaches to align wind and solar output with the state's electricity load.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2017

Macquarie, CIT close project financing for AMS' 50 MW energy storage fleet

Macquarie bought the projects in August 2016 from Advanced Microgrid Solutions, which will serve as the projects’ asset manager.

By Peter Maloney • March 30, 2017

At the grid-edge: Utilities look beyond traditional infrastructure to manage new technologies

Rate-based cloud software and capitalized network costs represent a brave new world for the power sector. 

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2017

Why utilities don't think Trump will stop the clean energy transition

The next generation utility business model will rely on a cleaner, more distributed energy system regardless of what happens in Washington, according to our new 2017 State of the Electric Utility Survey.

By Gavin Bade • March 28, 2017

Mercedes eyes North American market to get ahead of energy storage curve

The CEO of Mercedes' new North American energy storage unit lays out his strategy in an interview with Utility Dive. 

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2017

Michigan starts studying costs of distributed generation

The study is part of the state's efforts to implement a slew of new energy laws over a two-year span after sweeping legislation was passed last year. 

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2017

CAISO notches record, serving 56.7% of demand with renewable energy in one day

Solar and wind power combined also hit a peak on the same day by serving 49.2% of demand.

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2017

IHS: More global storage could save industry hundreds of billions of dollars

Increasing energy storage in the global electric grid could save hundreds of billions of dollars, according to a new report from IHS Markit.

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2017

Old German coal mine will be converted into a hydro storage plant

The 200 MW hydro pumped storage project would store renewable energy by using wind and solar power to pump water into a storage reservoir that could be released when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun shining.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

In search of a quorum: 3 potential FERC nominees bring deep business and energy backgrounds

The potential candidates for three open spots at FERC would restore a quorum and possibly align the agency more closely with big business interests. 

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

'Million rate bases': TFC makes the case for a new IOU business model in Hawaii

A fledgling holding company wants utilities to connect their customers with distributed resources — and earn a rate of return for doing so.

By Gavin Bade • March 24, 2017

11 New York microgrid projects snap up $11M in state funds

Eleven projects advanced to the second stage of New York's microgrid competition to conduct more detailed engineering and business analysis. 

By Peter Maloney • March 24, 2017

Oregon solar advocates plot path to 4 GW of solar power in 10 years

If successful, solar could make up 10% of the state's power mix by 2027. 

By Peter Maloney • March 24, 2017

HECO partners with University of Hawaii for energy storage pilot project

The project will test how storage can help the university save money by reducing or avoiding charges associated with peak demand. 

By Peter Maloney • March 23, 2017

Illinois launches 'NextGrid' utility of the future study

The effort to evolve the state’s electric system mirrors other grid modernization and utility transformation efforts taking place nationwide. 

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2017

Next Generation Utility: Optimizing reliability during a transition to a modernized grid

The successful Next Generation Utility will take advantage of every opportunity to improve the overall reliability and value of the interconnected grid.

By Gregg Edeson, Ashley Vazquez & Wei Du • March 22, 2017

Fire safety issues dog battery storage growth in New York City, slowing deployment

A lack of consensus on fire safety codes for battery storage is limiting deployment for storage projects in the Big Apple. 

By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2017

Google: Majority of US rooftops could support solar power

At least 90% of rooftops in Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico are feasible for solar arrays. 

By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2017

California bill seeks to extend cap-and-trade program

The bill would support the state law that requires GHG emissions to be cut by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2017

Have California's efforts to value distributed resources hit a roadblock?

Just about the only thing parties in the state's DER valuation working group can agree on is that the tool they developed is "not yet ready."

By Herman K. Trabish • March 21, 2017