Ohio's REV: PUCO to explore grid modernization, utility reform in PowerForward initiative

Unlike other initiatives, which began with an end goal in mind, PUCO Chair Asim Haque says his proceeding will be more "exploratory" at the outset.

By Gavin Bade • March 8, 2017

California regulators propose doubling funds for Self-Generation Incentive Program

A proposed decision from the CPUC would increase funding for the Self Generation Incentive Program by $249 million over three years. 

By Gavin Bade • March 8, 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

SoCal Edison seeks distributed resources to enhance local grid reliability

The utility is seeking up to 55 MW of behind-the-meter solar, storage and other DERs to mitigate the threat for outages in Santa Barbara. 

By Robert Walton • March 8, 2017

How ConEd's mobile battery REV demo could build a new storage business model

The company may not break even on a pilot to deploy mobile battery systems to stressed parts of the grid, but sees the project as a test of new market models for utilities and private vendors alike. 

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2017

Report: Lack of mandates, incentives holding solar+storage back in New York City

Ancillary service rules in the NYISO market were also listed as an impediment to battery deployment in the new report from CUNY and NREL. 

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2017

Tesla quietly halts sales of its DC Powerwall 2 outside US

In Europe and Australia, Tesla will only offer an AC version of its residential battery, which includes a built-in inverter. 

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2017

ZEN Energy of Australia proposes 50 MW storage project to counter blackouts

With a large battery system in place, rolling outages in South Australia last month "would not have happened," company leaders told government officials. 

By Peter Maloney • March 3, 2017

Commodities giant Vitol taps NEC to build 50 MW UK storage project for National Grid

NEC will build two battery facilities with a combined capacity of 50 MW, 35 MWh to provide frequency response to the U.K. utility. 

By Peter Maloney • March 3, 2017

Nest thermostat earns ENERGY STAR designation

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed the designation from all programmable thermostats, arguing they had not shown consistent savings.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2017

Utah House narrowly votes against extending electric vehicle credit

Lawmakers rejected the tax credit extension in a 38-37 vote after some raised concerns over subsidizing electric vehicles. 

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2017

E.ON to build nearly 20 MW of battery storage at Texas wind farms

The two energy storage projects will be sited at E.ON’s Pyron and Inadale wind farms and are slated to come online by the end of 2017. 

By Peter Maloney • March 2, 2017

SimpliPhi Power, CivicSolar team up to target California's behind-the-meter storage market

The companies plan to take advantage of the re-opening of California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program this April. 

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

Arizona Public Service, solar industry reach critical rate case settlement

The deal reduces rooftop solar compensation and lets customers choose from a variety of rate designs, including time-of-use and demand-based rates.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 1, 2017

Indiana Senate votes to end retail rate net metering

The bill to lower rooftop solar compensation now heads to the state's Republican-controlled House of Representatives. 

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2017

ConEd, NRG partner on 4 MWh mobile battery storage demo for REV docket

The mobile battery system will allow ConEd to deploy storage to different locations depending on system needs. 

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

Kentucky utilities team up with EPRI for battery storage testing

A 1 MW battery sited at a Mercer County coal plant will allow the utilities to evaluate the potential benefits of utility-scale battery technologies.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

Primus Power begins production of 5-hour flow battery

The company says the flow battery will be used by Puget Sound Energy as an alternative to distribution system upgrades.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 28, 2017

Younicos to install 3 MW storage system on Kodiak Island, Alaska

The new lithium-ion batteries will replace a lead-acid system installed in 2012. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 28, 2017

How California's utilities are mapping their grids for distributed resources

Utilities and DER companies are working together on new methods to understand where the grid can handle more customer-sited resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 27, 2017

NREL picks RES to test storage applications for wind power

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will use multiple applications of RES’ 1 MW, 1 MWh RESolve system to test frequency regulation and renewable energy integration.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 27, 2017

SDG&E, AES bring world's largest lithium ion battery storage online in California

The 30 MW, 120 MWh storage facility in Escondido and a smaller, 30 MWh battery array were part of the utility's Aliso Canyon storage solicitation. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 24, 2017

Pushing for scalability, utilities look to new hybrid models for microgrid deployment

Utilities are searching for standardized microgrid models that allow both end users and the wider grid to benefit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2017

Report: Six states propose new electric vehicle fees

Indiana, South Carolina and Kansans are among the states considering hitting EV owners with up to $180 in annual fees.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2017

Ohio universities test new software to optimize building energy use with solar, batteries

The University of Toledo and Case Western Reserve University will work with a DOE lab to automate energy management for campus buildings. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2017

Michigan, Utah researchers say new compound could extend flow battery life

University researchers say computer modeling has helped them find a promising candidate for the battery anolyte that is based on pyridinium.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2017