Hawaii PUC staff outlines bill credits for community renewable energy programs

The PUC staff was responding to proposals made by Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Electric Utility Cooperative in response to a state law. 

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2016

White House initiative targets storage growth for demand management, renewables integration

The Obama administration is hosting a summit on how best to scale up renewable and storage technologies, and how to most effectively integrate them into smarter electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • June 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

Beyond rate reforms: Bundling strategies could resolve net metering battles

While no silver bullet is found in a single strategy, an NREL study suggests bundling several approaches could address both solar and utilities' concerns about rooftop solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 16, 2016

Report: Energy storage market to reach $250B by 2040

Utility scale batteries are expected to reach 25 GW by 2028, a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance says. 

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2016

As DERs proliferate, utilities ramp up investments in storage startups

These investments help utilities stay ahead of the technological curve as distributed energy resources are integrated into the grid. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

Hawaii officials plan changes to struggling renewables program

The Green Energy Market Securitization program has awarded about 1% of its $150 million in funds so far. 

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2016

Carolinas industry group seeks to change up the utility business model

A trade group rolled out a white paper outlining ways to change the way utilities operate in North Carolina. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2016

Greater than the sum: How aggregation is making storage into a software business

Grouping customer-sited batteries can deliver the same benefits as grid-scale storage, DNV-GL says.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2016

ARPA-E: Data centers targeted for $25M in energy efficiency funding

Data centers in the United States consume 2.5% of the country's energy.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2016

Little less talk: With new revenue models, New York starts to put REV into action

The reforms to utility revenues in the Empire State could set the course for a new model of 21st century power providers.

By Gavin Bade • June 9, 2016

Xcel Colorado rate plan draws ire of solar interests for higher fixed charges

The plan would lower volumetric rates and increase fixed charges, following a utility strategy that's played out across the nation.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 9, 2016

Combined heat & power: The grid's 'best kept secret?'

It's the most efficient generation many people have never heard of. But as systems get smaller, the United States may be poised for a second co-generation growth spurt.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

Texas firm pushes into C&I microgrid projects, secures funding

 Enchanted Rock, a Houston-based developer of microgrids, is preparing to scale up development of its gas-based systems.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

As funding for California's SGIP process grows, regulators look to bolster energy storage

But proposed modifications could change how fuel cell and energy storage technologies compete in the process. 

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2016

APS rate case sparks concern beyond mandatory demand charge proposal

Along with a rate structure overhaul, the Arizona utility also wants to cut net metering credits to its avoided cost rate.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2016

Maryland regulatory staff question legality of BGE microgrid proposals

The Maryland Public Service Commission staff said utility ownership of microgrids may not be legal, and called for a broad investigation into their use in the state.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2016

New Jersey startup seeks to be the 'Uber' of battery storage delivery

Power Edison, a New Jersey startup, is offering grid-scale lithium-ion batteries as a plug and play strategy for utilities looking to defer new plant investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2016

FERC greenlights CAISO's push to integrate DERs into markets

Aggregations that span multiple pricing nodes can be as large as 20 MW, but there are some limitations on existing generators of 1 MW or more. 

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

Microgrid capacity to exceed 3.7 GW by 2020, a new study says

While most microgrids in service are still fueled by fossil fuels, almost half of projects in development will include renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2016

Flow battery developer to build world's largest battery storage system

UniEnergy Technologies and Chinese company Rongke Power plan to install 800 MWh flow battery array in China, making it the largest one in the world. 

By Peter Maloney • June 2, 2016

SolarCity launches new rooftop loan product to replace MyPower offering

The new loans will answer a customer demand for shorter terms and fixed payments, an executive said.

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • June 2, 2016

Statoil to add battery storage to a Scottish floating wind project

Norwegian oil company Statoil plans to add 1 MWh battery storage to a floating wind farm off the Scottish coast.

By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2016

Arizona Public Service pushes residential demand charges in new rate case

The $3.6 billion rate case includes a proposal for three different residential demand charge options, which the utility says will incentivize customers to manage peak usage. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

Energy storage's role in decarbonization will depend on duration, cost cuts

For a clean grid, "storage is not a requisite if a diverse mix of flexible, low-carbon power sources is employed," according to a new study by Argonne Laboratory and MIT.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2016

SPP CEO: Regionalization, transmission help push renewables penetration near 50%

Southwest Power Pool CEO Nick Brown says he sees solar, storage and more footprint expansion coming in the next five years.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2016