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

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

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

Harvard researchers say they've created a non-corrosive flow battery with exceptional duration

The new battery formulation only degrades 1% over 1,000 charge-discharge cycles, the researchers claim. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

Residential storage can undercut benefits of rooftop solar, says new study

A new study in Nature Energy finds storing rooftop solar can increase emissions and energy consumption.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

Navy developing 44 MW solar+storage facility on Kauai

The project would make the Barking Sands missile testing facility a net zero military installation, according to the Navy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

DistribuTECH 2017: Why utilities are skeptical about transactive energy

Blockchain-based power trading on the distribution system has captured the imagination of many in the power sector — just not the companies at its center.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2017

Invenergy launches energy investment fund with stake in cloud company Aquilon

The developer's first fund will not invest in physical projects or equipment, but in companies that use technology to improve the operation of energy assets.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

Colorado lawmakers seek to restrict potential energy storage charges from utilities

A bill introduced in the Colorado state Senate would limit residential energy storage charges from utilities for storage systems up to 25 kW. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017

Research spotlight: Solar cost shift negligible, DER valuation efforts advancing slowly

New studies from LBNL and Rhodium detail the latest findings in distributed energy resource valuation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2017

Connecticut lawmakers prepare legislation to support Millstone nuclear plant

The bill to support the 2,110 MW nuclear plant is expected to recall zero-emission credit schemes in New York and Illinois. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017