FERC dismisses co-ops' case against Maryland community solar program

FERC did not rule on the merits, saying the petition was premature because tariffs have not yet been filed with state regulators. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2016

Exelon's Illinois energy bill greeted by vociferous opposition

Critics decried the inclusion of capacity payments for coal plants and residential demand charges. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Virtual Power Plants

Virtual power plants and their ability to balance energy supply and demand are increasingly sought by utilities as electricity demand increases, but their lack of standardization remains a barrier.

By Utility Dive staff

A 'turning point' for DERs? Utilities, vendors praise new NARUC rate design manual

A new guide to distributed energy rate design and compensation lays out the important questions but leaves the heavy lifting to state commissions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2016

Tesla, SolarCity merger approved with 85% shareholder support

More than 85% of unaffiliated shareholder votes were cast in favor of the merger, the company said, though final results are still pending.

By Gavin Bade , Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 17, 2016

Walmart, Axiom Exergy partner for refrigeration energy storage project

The battery would be “charged” at night by freezing salt water and discharged during the day to decrease peak power consumption.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2016

How do you value DERs? New York PSC staff rolls out new pricing scheme for REV

Among its suggestions, the report maps out a transition from net metering and could be implemented as soon as January. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2016

Microsoft signs 237 MW wind deal in Wyoming

The deal gives local utility Black Hills the ability to draw from Microsoft's natural backup generators, avoiding building another power plant to serve the company's data center. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 15, 2016

As energy storage booms in New York, officials tackle safety measures

The Fire Department of the City of New York is at the forefront of coming up with procedures to safely deploy battery storage. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 15, 2016

How wind and solar plan to thrive during the Trump presidency

Steadily declining prices and increasing market share mean the wind and solar industries 'got it from here,' said one exec.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2016

PJM market monitor pushes capacity market changes to enhance efficiency

Several municipal utilities, environmental groups and rural electric co-ops have questioned PJM's capacity market structure, resulting in new recommendations. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 14, 2016

Trump insider: New administration won't attack renewable energy

The president-elect will halt climate activities but not move to revoke wind and solar subsidies, according to a major Trump financial contributor who said he is a member of the transition team.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 11, 2016

Norway cements position as global EV leader with tax exemption

The country wants to reach 100% electric vehicles, and its policies could be a cue for other nations with aggressive goals.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2016

Why 'a lot has become the new normal' in state solar policy debates

A new report outlines 5 key decisions and 4 trends from the solar sector's busiest policy quarter yet.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2016

Tangent and Cummins team up to offer gas generators with DER controls for C&I

While backup generators are usually deployed during outages, this venture could put them to use managing demand charges for C&I customers. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2016

Idaho regulators approve state's first utility-owned community solar project

The 500 kW community solar project is designed to give access to solar power to all customers. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2016

Federal appeals court puts clean energy RFP on hold in Connecticut

The case could have implications for state and federal jurisdiction over markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2016

How IPL wants FERC to transform MISO energy storage tariffs

Current dispatch rules, designed for flywheels, could degrade batteries much quicker than anticipated, the utility argues.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2016

PSEG close to approval for 33 MW of brownfield, landfill solar

A final decision is expected by the end of the year.   

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2016

Hawaiian Electric: self-supply solar incentive starting to take off

HECO has seen a surge in solar self-supply applications, one of two options designed to replace the state's retail net metering program.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2016

ScottMadden: California Duck Curve growing faster than expected

Utility-scale solar is contributing more to lower minimum daily loads than distributed generation, the consultancy said. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2016

Dept. of Transportation unveils national electric vehicle charging network

EV drivers can expect a charging station about every 50 miles on a new network of interstate highways announced by the Department of Transportation.  

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2016

Duke University gets cold feet for 21 MW CHP plant after environmental objections

Some on campus don't want to see the university install more fossil generation, leading officials to walk back their commitment.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 4, 2016

Interconnection delays can be costly, but some utilities have found ways to save time and money

Interconnection times are going up nationally, but a new report outlines lessons from some leading utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2016

Mercedes-Benz launches new US storage arm with former Sonnen CEO von Bormann

Mercedes takes aim at Tesla with new offerings that will "combine the advantages of electric vehicles and energy solutions into one holistic platform." 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 3, 2016

One massive merger later, Pepco's CEO eyes 5 rate cases and grid modernization

David Velazquez says his utility is looking at residential demand charges and the future of microgrids.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 3, 2016