Siemens project to test heated rocks for large-scale, low-cost thermal energy storage

A new demonstration project in Germany will employ a 5 MW, 36 MWh storage facility attached to a steam turbine, with larger projects slated for 2019.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 12, 2016

Kansas settlement would allow Algonquin Power & Utilities to buy Empire District

The acquisition is the latest in a trend of Canadian companies showing interest in U.S. utilities. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2016

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

Stem connects Hawaii's largest behind-the-meter storage at theme park

Hawaii's plentiful solar generation and high electricity prices make storage especially appealing, but large BTM batteries are catching on in other states as well.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2016

Report: Fuel cell maker Bloom Energy quietly files IPO

The company reportedly filed a private IPO under a process sometimes used to attract interest for an acquisition. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2016

Hawaii solar sector on the 'brink of collapse' as employment dips 42%

Hawaiian Electric Co. has reached caps on the grid-supply program that replaced net metering, meaning new customers no longer have an option to sell excess capacity back to the grid. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2016

Developer of Two Elks carbon capture plant charged with federal fraud

Mark Ruffatto, head of the North America Power Group, has also been ordered to pay back $5.7 million of the $7.8 million in grant money received for the project. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2016

The new offshore wind playbook: Inside the feds' plan to spur 86 GW by 2050

Rapidly declining costs and proximity to load centers are expected to help make offshore wind a major resource in the next decades. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 6, 2016

SolarCity, Citi map out $347M financing plan for solar projects

The funds include more than $60 million for small and medium-sized businesses in California.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

To speak softly: Why Sunrun's new policy head could signal a shift in solar advocacy

Former Maryland Commissioner Anne Hoskins outlines her approach to utility-solar regulation.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 29, 2016

Tesla, AMS ink 34MWh storage deal with California water system

Water systems account for nearly 20% of the total electricity and 30% of non-power plant related natural gas consumed in California. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2016

DTE joins rush to natural gas, shelling out $1.3B for midstream assets

As Midwest power generation shifts to gas, DTE Energy is buying interest in three midstream companies for $1.3 billion.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2016

'Eyes wide open': Despite climate risks, utilities bet big on natural gas

Scientists say the United States can't build much more fossil fuel infrastructure if it wants to meet the Paris climate goals. So why are utilities going all-in on gas?

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

Settlement between bidders, Great Plains Energy opens possibility of bidding war for Westar

The settlement removed provisions in the original process that barred potential bidders from entering a higher bids. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Demand charges vs. TOU rates: The great Arizona rate design experiment

APS wants to be the first utility with mandatory demand charges for residential customers, but critics say time-of-use pricing provides similar benefits and is easier for consumers to adopt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 26, 2016

Xcel Energy seeks to add 1,500 MW of wind power

With falling costs and temporary tax assistance, wind is "in the money."

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 23, 2016

US, Canada utilities aim to link three microgrids in $12.4M cross-border project

Two Canadian utilities and one in Maine are working to trade power between three microgrid projects in a transactive energy scheme. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 22, 2016

Exelon faces $1.4B tax bill for sale of coal plants

The company could pay more than $1.4 billion, the result of tax deferrals related to the 1999 sale of coal generation plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2016

How Southern California Edison's new rate case would transform the grid

SCE wants to spend $2.3 billion to ready its grid for distributed resources. Here's what that money would buy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2016

Former SunEdison yieldcos TerraForm Power and Global explore potential sales

SunEdison's investment vehicles put themselves up for sale after their bankrupt parent said it would stop making interest payments to the yieldcos. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 21, 2016

Delaware court approves Energy Future to enter into NextEra deal

The court's approval follows NextEra's bid to pad its offer with $300 million to address creditor concerns.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2016

Tesla-SolarCity merger could face delays from lawsuits

Four parties have filed suit, contesting the close relationship between the two companies. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

Oil giant Total joins venture funding for DER software company AutoGrid

Total has been among the most aggressive fossil fuel companies taking interest in renewable and distributed energy.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2016

As utilities ramp up gas, Enbridge play for Spectra highlights increasing value of pipelines

Utilities are using more gas and pipelines are getting harder to build, meaning existing gas transportation is getting more lucrative.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2016

SCE taps Tesla for 80 MWh storage project to deal with Aliso Canyon gas shortage

For a time, the Tesla project is expected to be the largest lithium ion battery storage project in operation.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 16, 2016

When it comes to renewables, customers are like watermelon seeds

Adam Browning, executive director of Vote Solar, urges utilities to consider the demands of customers—and large corporations—when it comes to investing in renewables. 

By Adam Browning • Sept. 15, 2016