DistribuTECH 2016: Increasingly at home with DERs, utilities shift focus to controlling them on the grid

The big question for utilities in 2016 isn’t whether they will be able to integrate DERs — it’s how they will be able to manage them all on the grid.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 11, 2016

Schneider Electric to build microgrid at Massachusetts HQ

Schneider said it is focused on developing a new microgrid business model that does not require any capital investment of its own.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

How Arizona Public Service is preparing for the grid of the future

New offerings point to the need for a unified control systems to manage DERs on the grid.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 10, 2016

Ex-regulator: NextEra's energy vision for Hawaii isn't good enough

Former Arizona Corporation Commission Chairwoman Kristin Mayes said NextEra Energy failed to show "strong tangible conditions attached to the deal." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2016

How Austin Energy is looking to manage solar-plus-storage on its grid

Austin Energy has been awarded a $4.3 million grant to implement a DERMS system aimed at integrating solar power into its grid.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2016

How Tucson Electric Power's CEO wants to grow DERs in Arizona

As solar deployment spreads, TEP seeks rate design reforms and aims for a full suite of utility-owned DERs.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 9, 2016

EIA: Solar capacity hits 20,000 MW, with almost half in California

California continues to be the leader in the U.S. solar market, owning more than half of the nation's utility-scale solar capacity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

California ISO approves proposals to bolster storage and demand response

The California ISO has approved several proposals aimed at further integrating distributed energy resources into the states's wholesale power market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 4, 2016

'The future grid': How one DOE program is pushing the boundaries of aggregated DERs

ARPA-E is funding research aimed at fuller aggregation and coordination of distributed resources on the grid through its NODES project. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2016

Kauai co-op integrates over 70% solar, 90% renewables four times in January

With fast-ramping diesel, hydro and biomass making up the balance, KIUC got up to 77% solar in its power mix in January.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2016

NARUC opposes King-Reid solar net metering amendment to federal energy bill

The association representing state utility regulators issued a letter in opposition to an amendment proposed by Senator Angus King and Minority Leader Harry Reid. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 3, 2016

Tesla CEO Musk: New version of Powerwall is coming in summer 2016

The announcement came during a question-and-answer session with the Tesla chief last week in Paris.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 2, 2016

Should utilities be afraid of Sonnen's new community storage offering?

Community energy storage in the U.S. could ramp up with German storage developer Sonnen's entry into the market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 2, 2016

17% of Hawaiian Electric customers now have rooftop solar

Hawaii’s electric utility has now processed over 77,000 solar PV interconnection applications.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2016

Inside the decision: California regulators preserve retail rate net metering until 2019

After months of intense lobbying and studying of proposals, California regulators handed the rooftop solar sector a vital win in its most important market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2016

Sonnen leverages rooftop solar, financing partners to sell storage systems in US

German energy storage company Sonnen has formed two partnerships as part of is strategy to sell storage systems into the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 1, 2016

CA regulators approve $45M SDG&E electric vehicle charger rollout

SDG&E joins SoCalEdison in the electric vehicle infrastructure space as California pushes toward its goal to have 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2016

Did solar lobbying tactics sow the seeds of the Nevada net metering controversy?

Aggressive efforts from the solar industry may have put off policymakers, some Nevada stakeholders say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016

New Mexico House committee advances 10% solar tax credit extension

Without an extension, the 10% rebate for residential installations will expire at the end of the year, but the state's GOP governor refused to sign a similar proposal last year.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016

Utility-backed Florida solar amendment nabs qualifying signatures for 2016 ballot

Florida's Supreme Court approval for the amendment's language is the final hurdle for the Consumers for Smart Solar to land a spot on the 2016 election ballot. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016

Addressing DR Duality: Providers seek uniform policies in new strategy report

Just days before the Supreme Court weighed in FERC Order 745, a broad stakeholder group issued a report calling for a better understanding of the load management strategy and a broader integration alongside other distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

How utilities and regulators differ in their approaches to distributed energy

Meeting customer demand for distributed generation will require more coordination between utilities and regulators, a recent survey found.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

Xcel proposes overhaul of its Colorado grid to include more renewables, smart meters

Xcel Energy this week is making a series of filings with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, describing an extensive overhaul of how the utility plans to serve 1.4 million customers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

What to expect from California utilities' new aggregated demand response offerings

Under a new auction, California utilities will meet grid demand with traditional demand response, stationary batteries and electric vehicles. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2016

Mississippi electric co-ops ask regulators for rehearing on net metering

The co-ops say their nonprofit, member-owned status means they should have the right to set their own solar net metering rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2016