5 new strategies to design more effective utility DER pilots

A new RMI report uses insights from utility pilots and demonstration projects to form a roadmap for the energy transition.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 20, 2017

SolarCity co-founder, CTO Peter Rive to leave Tesla

Rive's departure caps an exodus of SolarCity executives since the rooftop solar company was acquired by Elon Musk's Tesla.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Sonnen inks deal to install batteries in new Arizona homes

The contract is part of Sonnen's efforts to replicate its residential solar community approach in the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • July 19, 2017

Flow battery developer ViZn Energy says it can pair solar and storage for 4¢/kWh

If successful, the company could beat a previous price benchmark set by an Arizona utility, which signed a solar-plus-storage contract for less than $0.045/kWh.

By Peter Maloney • July 17, 2017

Beyond TOU: Is more dynamic pricing the future of rate design?

Analysts say sending stronger price signals to residential ratepayers could help reduce peak demand, but consumer advocates are leery.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2017

Dynegy sells 3 plants totaling 935 MW to private equity groups

The sale fulfills the mitigation plan approved by FERC as a condition of Dynegy's previous acquisition of 9 GW of generating capacity from Engie.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2017

AES CEO Andres Gluski on how his new storage venture will enable the 'network of the future'

The founding of Fluence will allow AES to market its batteries to third parties and apply storage to its other business units, from renewables to conventional generation.

By Gavin Bade • July 14, 2017

Southern will test Tesla batteries in 1 MWh pilot for Gulf Power subsidiary

Southern wants to study the batteries for two years in hopes of eventually offering storage to C&I customers. 

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2017

JD Power: Residential utility customer satisfaction rises for 6th consecutive year

The firm found more consumers are shifting to web and mobile platforms to pay bills, and utilities increasingly use digital means to communicate with their customers.

By Krysti Shallenberger • July 14, 2017

Strategic review leads to management shakeup at Edison International consultancy

Edison launched its "energy-as-a-service" company last year as a way to help large corporate consumers lower power bills. 

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2017

NRG will sell 6 GW of generation, shed renewable assets in restructuring plan

NRG's stock jumped as investors reacted to the plan to sell up to $4 billion in assets. 

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2017

'Steel for fuel': Xcel CEO Ben Fowke on his utility's move to a renewable-centric grid

By 2021, Xcel expects wind to be its single largest energy resource — and that means big changes to grid operations. Fowke sat down with Utility Dive to discuss what the transition entails. 

By Gavin Bade • July 11, 2017

Siemens, AES form new energy storage joint venture Fluence

The companies each hold a 50% stake in the venture, which can lay claim to more than 460 MW of storage worldwide.

By Peter Maloney • July 11, 2017

Westar, Great Plains Energy revise merger proposal to appease regulatory concerns

Kansas regulators unanimously rejected the deal in April, but both utilities revised the terms of the deal to create a company with a combined equity value of $14 billion. 

By Peter Maloney • July 11, 2017

In Illinois, cloud computing debate could open next chapter of utility rate reform

Changes sought to the financial treatment of cloud computing could be applied to energy efficiency and other resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 10, 2017

Tesla has 100 days to build a 129 MWh storage plant in South Australia

In March, Elon Musk tweeted that Tesla could solve Australia's power crisis in 100 days or less. Now, he's getting his chance.

By Peter Maloney • July 10, 2017

Ratings agencies wary of Oklahoma regulatory environment

Moody's issued a negative outlook for Oklahoma Gas & Electric last week, noting "some uncertainty over cost recovery and earned returns" in lengthy rate cases.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2017

AES closes $2B financing for 1.2 GW gas plant with storage

Southern California Edison signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for the project awarded through a 2014 competitive solicitation.

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2017

Buffett's Berkshire bids to buy Oncor, bankrupt parent EFH

Previously a leading bidder for Oncor, Berkshire hopes to succeed where NextEra and Hunt Consolidated failed — winning acquisition approval from Texas regulators. 

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2017

Reports: Cyberattacks breached at least a dozen power plants, including nukes

A widespread attack last month targeted the Wolf Creek Nuclear station in Kansas, as well as other power and manufacturing plants, according to reports on a federal security analysis. 

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2017

Mississippi regulators make it official: Kemper will run on natural gas

The PSC ordered Mississippi Power to file a settlement for the facility to run as a natural gas plant, marking an end to the ambitious coal gasification project.   

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2017

North Carolina wind moratorium threatens hard-won solar compromise

Duke Energy and solar advocates worked for months on reforms to PURPA, third-party ownership and net metering. A last-minute hold on new wind projects could unravel the whole bill. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 6, 2017

Hawaiian Electric proposes new, cheaper grid modernization plan

A previous grid modernization plan was rejected in December for being too costly.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2017

Shell wades into the power sector with bid for Texas retail provider MP2 Energy

The retail power supplier boasts a diverse energy portfolio, including wind, solar and gas, as well as 550 MW of demand response capacity in Texas.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2017

Keys to developing an effective utility EV charging program

ChargePoint's Dave Packard argues simplicity and customer choice are critical elements for utilities building out electric vehicle charging networks. 

By Dave Packard • July 5, 2017