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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

EDF Renewable Energy wades into the C&I DER space with new business unit

The company created a business unit focusing on distributed solar and storage projects of up to 30 MW for C&I and utility customers. 

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2017

SDG&E, Sumitomo partner to install 2 MW flow battery

The flow battery system is part of a 4-year pilot program as SDG&E tests its use for providing voltage frequency, power outage support and shifting energy demand.

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2017

SMART start? Massachusetts utilities, solar at odds over proposed incentive program

Both sides want changes to auction design and incentive rates in SMART, an innovative declining-block solar incentive program. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2017

ComEd launches community storage pilot project outside of Chicago

The aim of the Community Energy Storage (CES) project is to improve reliability for customers experiencing multiple interruptions, particularly in extreme weather.

By Peter Maloney • March 17, 2017

South Australian utility deploying 'world's largest' virtual power plant

AGL's project is expected to have 1,000 grid-connected batteries with a total peak capacity of 5 MW and 7 MWh when completed.

By Peter Maloney • March 17, 2017

Trump budget would slash EPA funding 31%, eliminate ARPA-E in DOE cuts

The president's preliminary budget proposal makes good on his strategy to deconstruct the administrative state. 

By Gavin Bade • March 16, 2017

CAISO: Renewable energy curtailment could hit 8,000 MW this spring

As California heads toward its 50% renewables mandate, CAISO warned the curtailments could climb as high as 13,000 MW in 2024. 

By Peter Maloney • March 16, 2017

New York REV orders promise growth for diverse set of distributed resources

Community renewables and C&I solar are expected to get the most immediate boost from new REV orders to value DERs and direct distribution system modernization.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2017

Two Australian states embrace grid-scale storage for power reliability

The states of Victoria and South Australia each issued calls for 100 MW of energy storage capacity this week, following blackouts and rising electricity prices. 

By Peter Maloney • March 15, 2017

Despite technological advances, flow batteries struggle against market giant lithium-ion

To compete with li-ion batteries, flow technologies would benefit from economies of scale, according to SSR analysts.

By Peter Maloney • March 14, 2017

NV Energy proposes residential green rider program as rooftop solar alternative

The solar rider would allow residential customers to subscribe to 100 kWh blocks of solar power from central arrays for about $2 a month. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 14, 2017