CA industry group pegs value of solar-plus-storage at 25 cents/kWh

The California Energy Storage Alliance wants a special role for energy storage in state regulatory policy as it moves toward 50% renewable generation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

Stem, PG&E bid aggregated energy storage into CAISO real-time market

The transaction was a part of Pacific Gas and Electric’s Supply-Side Pilot, a project which enables customer-sited, demand-side resources to participate in the California ISO wholesale markets as demand response.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants is shifting to a model that includes distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage and even electric vehicles.

By Utility Dive staff

Plug-and-play storage startup Orison seeks to challenge Tesla in residential market

The company's 2 kWh battery simply plugs into a standard outlet, can keep a home's lights on during a power outage, and has built-in demand management functions, the CEO says.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2015

Florida solar advocates, utility backers face off in court over TPO ballot proposals

Lawyers for solar advocates say the language qualifies for the 2016 ballot, and utility lawyers argue it misleads.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 3, 2015

Community solar investors could qualify for federal tax credits, IRS ruling indicates

The Internal Revenue Service has given the first indication that a 30% tax credit usually reserved for individual projects can also apply to ownership in shared solar farms.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2015

Mass. utilities target TOU rates, DER integration in grid modernization filings

Similar to California and New York, utilities in Massachusetts are being asked to envision what the electric grid of the future will look like.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2015

NextEra promises grid upgrades, commitment to 100% renewables in HEI merger filing

The utility made 50 new promises to Hawaiians, saying its deal to buy Hawaiian Electric will save consumers hundreds of millions of dollars. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 2, 2015

Whatever happened to Oncor's big energy storage plans?

The utility says gigawatt-scale storage can be cost effective in Texas, but the state's electricity market rules are holding the technology back.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 1, 2015

AEP invests $5M in storage software company Greensmith

The Maryland-based company offers turnkey energy storage solutions that could help the utility monetize the benefits of grid-scale batteries.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 1, 2015

AZ regulators call for formal policy to prevent utility donations in commission elections

The letter from two ACC commissioners aims to prevent a repeat of 2014, when allegations of dark money donations from APS clouded the regulatory election.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2015

As regulators act, Nevada net metering debate takes center stage at Las Vegas conference

Nevada regulators called for a deep dive into NEM policy last week as national leaders converged on Vegas for a clean energy summit. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2015

CPUC turns down SDG&E proposal for new peak pricing periods

Time varying rates are coming and defining when demand is peaking will be crucial in identifying consumer costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2015

Iowa co-op withdraws proposed $57.50 fixed fee for solar owners

Pressured by customer advocates, the co-op takes back a controversial cost of service study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2015

Microgrids on the table as DC stakeholders look to boost reliability in nation's capital

The District of Columbia is about three weeks away from kicking off a workshop examining how microgrids can help power stability in the nation's capital.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2015

Report: New York REV initiative leaving out low income customers

The state is overhauling its utility industry, but is New York doing enough to ensure low-income consumers see the benefits as well?

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Energy Storage Assn: Renewable tax breaks not optimal, but necessary

Until the U.S. market properly values clean energy and renewable generation then some subsidies will be required, according to the head of the Energy Storage Association.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Kansas regulators grant Westar rate hike, but push off solar fee decision

Kansas regulators have approved a $78 million rate increase for Westar Energy, the largest utility in the state.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Is variable pricing the way out of Hawaii's solar wars?

Rates that vary with the grid’s needs may change customer behaviors, but will they settle the cost shift question?

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Colorado PUC ruling maintains retail rate net metering 'status quo'

The PUC rejected Xcel's request to reduce the rate at which they pay solar customers for energy they generate.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 27, 2015

SolarCity wants to help utilities plan better for distributed resources

The leading national solar installer has a new, innovative framework to modernize utilities’ interconnection, planning, procurement, and data sharing practices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Favorable weather helps SDG&E and CAISO both set renewables records

Bright sun and strong wind on August 19 meant SDG&E could generate more renewable power than ever before.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

Nevada regulators vote to keep retail rate net metering through end of year

Nevada has hit its 235-MW cap on net metering, but regulators this week voted to allow current rates to continue through the end of the year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

Siemens to construct islanding microgrid on northern California reservation

The microgrid, designed for the Blue Lake Rancheria reservation, will test microgrid management software to predict power needs and control the grid without an operator present.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How will utilities profit in the future? New York's REV initiative is trying to figure it out

The Empire State is remaking its utility industry, but one key piece – where the money comes from – remains elusive, and regulators are taking a fairly hands-off approach to finding the answer.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How demand flexibility is about to transform electricity delivery

For utilties, when consumers use energy could become just as important to their bottom lines as if they generate it themselves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2015