How the Illinois energy reform 'fixed' the state's RPS, promising a renewables boom

A convoluted renewables standard stalled investment for years, but the new law aims for over 4 GW of wind and solar through a streamlined program.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 22, 2016

Colorado partners with Utah, Nevada to develop electric vehicle charge network

Spurred by the growing demand for electric vehicles, the charging network will span 2,000 miles of highway.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2016

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

How regulations and technology brought us closer to Utility 2.0 in 2016

Progress toward a cleaner, more distributed grid was patchy in 2016, but the trajectory was undeniable. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2016

MISO integrates first solar project into its wholesale market

The Midcontinent ISO has many solar arrays, but only North Star is currently participating in its wholesale market.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2016

2016: A 'transitional year for storage,' industry set to break records

Diverse storage deployment and investments on pace to surpass last year's numbers, analysts say. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

GTM: Ambri poised to roll out new version of liquid metal battery storage

A spokesperson said it is preparing to deploy a 500 kWh commercial storage system in 2018. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

Can New England steal California's storage thunder?

The Golden State gets all the attention, but there are a number of reasons to expect a Northeast storage boom in coming years, writes the Acadia Center's Peter Shattuck.

By Peter Shattuck • Dec. 20, 2016

Renewables challenge natural gas plants on price in latest Lazard analysis

Wind and solar are now well within the cost range of combined cycle plants, but still need generators or storage to support them on the grid.  

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

ComEd pushes ahead with Bronzeville microgrid, despite lack of legislative backing

Funding for the microgrid was left out of Illinois' mammoth energy bill, but ComEd says it will ask regulators to allow it to recover some of the costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

California PUC approves PG&E electric vehicle infrastructure plan

Pacific Gas and Electric will roll out 7,500 EV charging points and own 35%. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

FERC proposes changes to large generator interconnection process

The Commission's notice focuses on large plants but also asks whether it could be expanded to distributed energy. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2016

MIT report calls for regulatory, market reforms to accommodate DERs

The lengthy paper argues regulators must be as innovative as the companies they oversee to unlock the potential of distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 16, 2016

Down to the wire, Michigan passes sweeping renewable energy, retail choice reforms

After a scramble to reach a compromise, lawmakers came together to overhaul Michigan's energy marketplace on the last day of the legislative session.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2016

Portland accelerates zero-emission vehicle adoption to hit climate goals

The Portland City Council unanimously adopted a plan to slash emissions from the transportation sector and put 50,000 electric vehicles on the roads.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2016

The new guide to the community solar galaxy

A new policy guide outlines five categories of best practices to spur growth in shared renewables. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2016

Sunrun rolls out its solar + storage system to California

Sunrun's offering will use LG Chem and Tesla batteries. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2016

ConEd Brooklyn-Queens non-wire alternative project installs first microgrid

The project, sited on a Brooklyn apartment complex, will include lithium batteries, solar PV and a fuel cell. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 14, 2016

Federal appeals court lifts injunction on New England renewables RFP in Allco case

The injunction had halted the awarding of more than 450 MW of projects as the court considers if state renewable power mandates are constitutional. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2016

North Carolina committee votes for review of energy policy, including PURPA

North Carolina Energy Policy Council voted unanimously to request a re-evaluation of energy policies spurred by Duke's concerns about solar. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 13, 2016

With big gains in the Q3, energy storage market set to finish strong in 2016

Corporate investment in energy storage nearly hit $660 million in the third quarter, according to a new GTM Research report. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 13, 2016

Lloyd's: Renewables, efficiency could help fossil-producing countries make up lost revenue

Renewable and energy efficient technologies could help meet the expected 48% increase in global energy consumption between 2012 and 2040. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 13, 2016

Utah regulators put Rocky Mountain Power net metering proposal on hold

RMP requested regulators to halt the proposal for now until all sides find a "mutually acceptable solution."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 13, 2016

Why Exelon's mammoth Illinois energy bill could set a precedent for other states

The grand bargain in Springfield may be a model to save nuclear plants in other jurisdictions, though not everyone is comfortable with the final deal. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 12, 2016

Canada poised to implement carbon price by 2018

Canada's federal government and 10 provinces will soon agree on a national carbon price, marking a split with expected U.S. climate policies. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 9, 2016

Report for ERMF questions long-term sustainability of net metering

A report from Meridian Energy Policy notes that the value of rooftop solar is likely to diminish as more of it is added to the grid. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 9, 2016