Duke simplifies microgrid development process for NC fire department

Duke Energy has developed a microgrid using only standard utility equipment, in a pilot program aimed at boosting reliability at a North Carolina fire department while also lowering development costs on distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

Hawaii PUC approves solar TOU rate pilot for co-op KIUC

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will cut daytime power rates about 25% for participants in a bid to get them to utilize more solar during its peak generating hours.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Diary of a Grid Defector: Small-scale solar activism in New York

Solar Seneca holds its community meetings in small-town high schools and libraries, where farmers sit next to shelves of old Nancy Drew mysteries and learn how they can generate their own power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

Senate Dems pack climate bill full of clean energy goodies, but no carbon tax

A proposed climate bill introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats was expected to be mostly political messaging, but instead is an expansive platform of clean energy policies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

What solar's latest growth numbers say about the sector's future

Solar growth is likely to set more records until the federal tax credits expire, but good state policies and utility buy in could fuel growth even if national incentives aren't extended.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 24, 2015

Climate Change: Why every utility, regulatory body, and DER company needs a point person for it

A look at how DER, and all of the different components and aspects of smart grid, fit into climate strategies and action plans.

Sept. 23, 2015

As solar cap looms, installers ask CA regulators for interim metering measures

Companies in San Diego Gas & Electric territory say business could soon come to a standstill as the region approaches its net metering cap. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2015

Younicos to construct first utility-scale Texas solar-storage project

The facility will be the first such utility-scale project in the ERCOT market, although smaller demonstration projects have shown promise in the state.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Inside Southern California Edison's energy storage strategy

Nearly a year on from a monster storage buy, SCE President Pedro Pizarro spoke to Utility Dive about what his company's learned about storage and the next steps for its wider deployment.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Energy Dept. unveils plan to double energy productivity by 2030

The DOE "roadmap" calls for updated vehicle standards, efficient rate designs, putting more information into hands of consumers and businesses reinvesting avoided energy costs.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2015

A good rate design is hard to find: Experts push utility-solar compromise

As utilties step up their efforts to compensate for perceived cost shifts caused by rooftop solar, getting rates right will be essential for both power company revenues and DER growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

SunPower: Keys to solar success are utility partners, being a 'good citizen of the grid'

The company's strong utility relationships have helped it grow in multiple solar sectors, an exec says.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 17, 2015

The top 10 trends transforming the electric power sector

From the decline of coal power to the rise of energy storage, big changes are quickly taking hold in the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 17, 2015

EPRI, SunEdison partner to test storage in net-zero home project

SunEdison will supply battery systems for the 9 homes located in Fontata, California.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2015

Joe Biden at SPI: 'We are on the cusp of something huge'

In the first executive office visit to a solar conference, Vice President Joe Biden praised the renewable energy sector and took aim at its fossil fuel opponents.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 17, 2015

PSE&G expanding New Jersey EV charging with hospital partnership

Saint Peter’s University Hospital and Public Service Electric and Gas Co. have completed a five-vehicle charging station at the facility.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

Tesla battery storage tapped for Texas' first community solar project

Austin Energy's community solar project is expected to come online next year, and will utilize a 1.5 MW storage system to help integrate the power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

Virtual power plants: Moving beyond demand response to an integrated solution

Finding ways to quickly aggregate many flexible loads can help utilities magnify their DSM capabilities, reducing the need for peaker plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

CPUC pushed to study solar-storage further after filing pegs value at $0.25/kWh

California is at risk of improperly valuing storage unless it opens a separate regulatory track on its value, an industry group says. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2015

New Hampshire opens regulatory discussion on grid modernization

New Hampshire regulators are seeking comments on how the state's power grid can be made more resiliant, flexible and incorporate more DERs.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2015

SPI 2015: Tax credit sunset preoccupies a fast-maturing industry

Growing pains hit solar industry as a rift appears over the fight for the extension of a vital federal tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2015

SoCalEdison & SolarCity partner to study aggregated distributed resources

The pilot project will study 50 homes equipped with solar, storage, controllable thermostats, and smart inverters.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 14, 2015

Beyond batteries: The diverse technologies vying for the bulk storage market

Batteries are hot, but utilities looking to store a lot of power may find cheaper options elsewhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 14, 2015

Why microgrids need standards

In the C&I category, they can happen now, writes Powerit Solutions CEO Kevin Klustner.

By Kevin Klustner • Sept. 11, 2015

Brooklyn microgrid could supply residents with up to 10 MW

New York's hippest borough is at the forefront of microgrid development.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2015