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

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

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

Connecticut girds for nuclear power debate as critics line up against Millstone support bill

A bill in the works would allow nuclear power to bid into the state's renewable energy solicitations, a move independent generators say would undermine competition in wholesale markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2017

Updated: California lawmaker proposes to target 100% renewables by 2045

The bill would also set California's current 50% renewables mandate deadline at 2025, instead of 2030. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 22, 2017

Study throws cold water on residential solar-plus-storage economics

A Rochester Institute of Technology study says a customer must face high electricity bills and unfavorable net metering or feed-in policies for grid defection to work. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 21, 2017

Herding cats: California PUC President Picker on the new DER Action Plan

A new regulatory roadmap aims to guide the power sector into the distributed energy future, but is everyone along for the ride? 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 21, 2017

PG&E brings 2 MWh Tesla battery storage unit online at substation

The 22 Powerpacks will improve the management of peak demand and reduce the need to call on peaking power plants.  

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 21, 2017

Connecticut DEEP rejects two utility storage pilots as too costly

Eversource and Avangrid were sent back to the drawing board on two substation-sited storage projects. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 21, 2017

Michigan utility withdraws plan to install 800 EV charging stations

The decision came after an administrative law judge called the proposal "well-intentioned," but questioned the funding mechanisms.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2017

2017 forecast: Bright, sun-shiny days for utility solar

Ray Gifford, a former chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, analyzes recent numbers from the solar industry. 

By Ray Gifford • Feb. 17, 2017

Bill would increase Nevada renewable energy mandate to 80% by 2040

AB 206 would eliminate the solar carve-out in the current 20% RPS, but would allow utilities to count residential solar toward their clean power goals. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

Sonnen to set up US battery manufacturing and research center in Atlanta

The German battery company, already a leader in its home nation, is moving further into the American market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

War, peace and innovation: Solar policy in 2016

Solar policy debates will continue to rise as stakeholders debate rate design and net metering compensation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 16, 2017

Green Charge to install 2 MWh storage system at California college

Pacific Union College will use the battery system for demand charge reduction and participation in PG&E demand response programs.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 16, 2017

Illinois regulators approve ComEd's smart meter data sharing program

The new program will give third party providers access to anonymous energy usage data for all zip codes where the utility has smart meters.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

How federal tax reform could complicate prospects for renewable energy

Republican plans to upend the tax code present both benefits and pitfalls for wind and solar power, financial analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

Xcel taps Sunverge, Northern Reliability to test solar+storage in Denver

Xcel Energy will run residential and utility-scale battery pilots to better understand how they can help integrate renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017