PG&E restructures rate tiers to better cover costs of service

Beginning today, PG&E will charge rates based on two rather than three tiers of power use. 

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2017

ARPA-E 2017: Optimism turns to tension as sector prepares to protect energy R&D funding

The prospect of Trump budget cuts hung over the federal government's clean energy research summit this year.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 1, 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

Primus Power begins production of 5-hour flow battery

The company says the flow battery will be used by Puget Sound Energy as an alternative to distribution system upgrades.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 28, 2017

How California's utilities are mapping their grids for distributed resources

Utilities and DER companies are working together on new methods to understand where the grid can handle more customer-sited resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 27, 2017

Texas PUC staff: NextEra-Oncor deal needs more consumer protections

Commission staff said NextEra's possession of a large merchant generation fleet could pose risks for utility ratepayers if it buys Oncor. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2017

SDG&E, AES bring world's largest lithium ion battery storage online in California

The 30 MW, 120 MWh storage facility in Escondido and a smaller, 30 MWh battery array were part of the utility's Aliso Canyon storage solicitation. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 24, 2017

S&P improves outlook for Duke, Southern, Entergy; raises rating on AEP

Company moves to shed merchant generation and refocus on regulated assets led the ratings agency to revise its outlooks. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 24, 2017

Southern Co: Kemper coal economics take a hit from low gas prices

If gas prices stay low, company officials say the Kemper plant will struggle to stay profitable. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2017

Pushing for scalability, utilities look to new hybrid models for microgrid deployment

Utilities are searching for standardized microgrid models that allow both end users and the wider grid to benefit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2017

Delaware court confirms Energy Future Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan

The decision advances NextEra's $18 billion plan to purchase Oncor Electric Delivery, owned by Energy Future.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2017

PG&E brings 2 MWh Tesla battery storage unit online at substation

The 22 Powerpacks will improve the management of peak demand and reduce the need to call on peaking power plants.  

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 21, 2017

Sonnen to set up US battery manufacturing and research center in Atlanta

The German battery company, already a leader in its home nation, is moving further into the American market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

Former Texas regulator Barry Smitherman joins NRG board

Smitherman's move calls into question reports that he was being considered for a spot on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

Green Charge to install 2 MWh storage system at California college

Pacific Union College will use the battery system for demand charge reduction and participation in PG&E demand response programs.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 16, 2017

Generators file federal court complaint against Illinois nuclear credits

Calpine, Dynegy and others argue payments to Illinois nuclear plants intrude on FERC's authority to regulate wholesale power markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 16, 2017

Illinois regulators approve ComEd's smart meter data sharing program

The new program will give third party providers access to anonymous energy usage data for all zip codes where the utility has smart meters.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

To boost efficiency, survey says utilities must tighten contractor relationships

Between efficiency program design and actual savings, someone has to install the upgrades. There, a new DNV GL survey finds room for stronger utility partnerships.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

National Grid launches its first commercial & industrial demand response program

Business customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island can earn credits of up to $35/kWh for peak demand reductions.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

Wind capacity blows past hydro to become most plentiful US renewable

Installed wind capacity is more than 82,000 MW, according to a trade group, making it the nation's largest renewable resource.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

Invenergy launches energy investment fund with stake in cloud company Aquilon

The developer's first fund will not invest in physical projects or equipment, but in companies that use technology to improve the operation of energy assets.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

Moody's puts Mississippi Power on review for downgrade over Kemper IGCC plant

A downgrade would push Mississippi Power's investment rating into junk territory, but not affect its parent, Southern Co.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 8, 2017

Ice Energy will provide 1 MW of residential storage to Southern California Public Power Authority

The company's storage systems reduce customer cooling load and can be aggregated by the utility to lower peak system demand. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 8, 2017

How California's utilities are planning the next phase of electric vehicle adoption

IOUs in the nation's largest EV market are pushing new proposals to enable electrification beyond small consumer cars.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 7, 2017

Looming tax reforms and regulatory changes could challenge utilities' financials

If proposed tax reforms and regulatory changes from the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration succeed, what will they mean for utilities? 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2017

Enphase, GRID Alternatives launch low-income residential solar-plus-storage system

The companies installed one solar-plus-storage system in the Imperial Irrigation District’s service territory after the utility hit its net metering cap last year. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 5, 2017