California Gov. Brown proposes extension of cap-and-trade program to 2050

The extension aims to help the state cut carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2031. 

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

New York utility turns to DERs to avoid $11.8M substation upgrade

The utility is looking to distributed generation, demand response, efficiency and storage to stave off costly upgrades in its service territory.

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

Duke will boost North Carolina EV charging stations 30% as part of EPA settlement

The investment stems from a legal deal with the EPA concerning alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in the 1990s.

By Peter Maloney • July 13, 2016

Sonnen enters C&I storage market with scalable batteries for peak shaving, TOU rates

The company said its 18 kW (24kWh) commercial and industrial batteries should ship late in the fourth quarter of this year.

By Peter Maloney • July 13, 2016

PG&E, SolarCity partner for solar+storage, grid services pilot

Up to 150 customers in San Jose will receive smart inverters or battery storage systems, and SolarCity will get a chance to demonstrate its suite of grid services. 

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

MIT researchers see a 'window of opportunity' for non-battery storage

Pumped hydro and compressed air storage can add value to renewable energy projects today, researchers found, but that could change as wind and solar drop further in price.

By Peter Maloney • July 12, 2016

'Universal access': How PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo aims to make efficiency, DERs available to all consumers

Izzo wants utilities to supply DER solutions to consumers not served in the current marketplace.

By Gavin Bade • July 12, 2016

Advanced Microgrid Solutions secures $200M funding for aggregated storage projects

The San Francisco company is seeking to cut the costs of microgrids and storage by scaling up quickly, and that leaves little time to complete pilot projects.

By Peter Maloney • July 12, 2016

California approves new customer signup rules for demand response, DER providers

The state is streamlining customer acquisition rules, moving to a system that would drop signature requirements and the need for customers to have their utility account information on hand.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2016

California PUC directs SDG&E to buy more renewables despite RPS compliance

The utility is compliant with current targets under the state's clean energy standard, but did not buy enough capacity in a recent renewable energy auction, regulators said. 

By Peter Maloney • July 11, 2016

DER providers push for more cost data as New York utilities issue distribution plans under REV

As the DER industry begins to pore over New York utilities' weighty Distributed Service Implementation Plans, some providers are worried they are not being given enough information to identify opportunities for investment.

By Robert Walton • July 11, 2016

MIT: Microgrids could save Boston over $1B

The MIT Lincoln Laboratory collaborated with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to identify 22 potential microgrid sites to boost grid resiliency and protect against future disasters. 

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2016

Sonnen cuts battery system cost 40% to serve self-consumption market

Seeing an opportunity in changes to net metering policies, Sonnen has introduced a cheaper battery without backup power features.

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Come together? DER aggregation sparks more confusion than consensus in power sector

Utilities and DER providers have divergent opinions on how the aggregation of distributed resources will develop, according to a recent GTM survey.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

Anatomy of a nuke closure: How PG&E decided to shutter Diablo Canyon

In a policy environment that prizes renewables, PG&E saw no cost-effective route to keeping the giant nuclear plant open.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

New York Green Bank aims to grow portfolio by two-thirds next year

The bank aims to spur innovative reneweable energy projects that would otherwise have trouble attracting investment. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

California dreaming: Utilities uneasy with regulator's vision to remake their business model

Commissioner Florio wants a fundamental rethinking of utility revenues and distributed resources, but his proposal has critics on all sides.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2016

Sonnen teams up with Enbala, combining storage with grid management

The integration of Enbala software could help utilities control and aggregate numerous distributed energy resources on their systems. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2016

NextEra decision looming, Hawaii lawmakers consider suing Gov. Ige over PUC appointment

The governor appointed a commission lawyer to the regulatory post without legislative approval ahead of a decision on the largest business deal in Hawaii history. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2016

Vermont regulators implement rules for 75% renewables target

Vermont's Public Service Board has implemented rules for 75% by 2032 renewables target, stipulating at least 1% needs to come from distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • July 1, 2016

A FERC challenge: Opening up electricity markets to advanced energy technologies

Grid operators should allow distributed resources and demand response to be priced for their unique attributes in organized markets, Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly argue in this guest post.

By Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly • June 30, 2016

Virginia Gov. McAuliffe issues executive order to cut GHG emissions

The governor directed state agencies to find a way to cut emissions from the power sector that does not need approval from the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2016

After Diablo Canyon: PG&E CEO Tony Earley on renewables, DERs and California's energy future

The same resources pushing the giant nuclear plant offline will be key to the utility's future in a low carbon economy. 

By Gavin Bade • June 30, 2016

'Something's got to give': Why Wall St is uneasy with the renewable energy boom

Tax credit extensions are fueling huge renewables growth, but financiers are uneasy with how the buildout is manifesting itself.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016