Not so fast: Battery prices will continue to decrease, but at a slower pace, GTM says

Cost declines for storage systems will slow as raw material prices rise, but deployments will continue apace, according to GTM.

By Peter Maloney • March 13, 2018

FPL adds 40 MWh battery to solar array, claiming largest combined system

Florida Power & Light says it will dispatch the battery at the 75 MW Babcock Ranch solar farm when the plant's output dips or in times of peak demand.  

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

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

Are renewable portfolio standards on the way out? Three ballot initiatives say otherwise

Michigan, Arizona and Nevada could see major political fights over proposals to boost renewable energy standards. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 12, 2018

New York announces $1.4B renewables funding as largest single state commitment

The money will go to 22 utility-scale solar farms, three wind farms and a hydroelectric facility, which will add almost 1,400 MW in renewable capacity to the state.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2018

Energy sector condemns Trump steel, aluminum tariffs

The duties on imported metal commodities will raise prices for power sector infrastructure projects, trade groups said, and could derail Trump's "energy dominance" agenda.

By Peter Maloney • March 9, 2018

Are utilities missing out on the opportunity to use old coal sites for solar?

Two coal-to-solar projects show there can be benefits from taking on the costs of coal site remediation and repurposing – but it is a site-by-site question.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 8, 2018

GE aims to enhance solar, wind power performance with new storage platform

The company wants to make inroads into the utility-scale storage market with Reservoir, a modular, four-hour duration battery system.

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2018

All in or half there: Maryland Legislature debates two different RPS bills

Lawmakers are debating two bills that would raise the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50% or 100%. Analysts say the 50% increase will likely muster more support than the other measure. 

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2018

The flip side of FERC's landmark storage order: A call for states to take action

State action will be essential to reach the full potential of FERC Order 841, The Brattle Group says in a new report.

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2018

SolarCity, Salt River Project could settle lawsuit, opening door to residential storage

The settlement involves the public utility purchasing a 25 MW Tesla battery and developing an incentive program to encourage residential batteries. But demand charges would remain in place. 

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2018

IRS: Residential storage eligible for ITC when charged by onsite solar

The ruling applies only to an individual storage facility, but shows how the agency may interpret home battery eligibility for the 30% solar investment tax credit.

By Gavin Bade • March 5, 2018

Time-travel, utility-style: Outlines of the utility of the future appear

Rocky Mountain Institute experts identify price, data and interconnection as the keys to success for the utility of the future, whether it's an expanded monopoly or a distribution system platform.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2018

Idaho Power wants new net metering compensation scheme

The utility has not proposed new rates yet, but asked regulators to consider a new compensation structure, including a rate class for rooftop solar owners. 

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2018

Virginia lawmakers send utility rate overhaul bill to governor's desk

The controversial bill could be signed as soon as next week. Gov. Ralph Northam already lent support for the measure. 

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2018

Do new rooftop solar price projections mean 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' for utilities?

A thought exercise from Department of Energy researchers suggests the price of rooftop solar could fall low enough to impact “the evolution of the U.S. electricity system.”

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2018

NJ regulators to accelerate offshore wind development, launch solicitation process for 1.1 GW

The state has a goal of developing 3,500 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, while neighboring New York is targeting 2,400 MW of capacity by the same deadline. 

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2018

Five energy industry trends of tomorrow impacting companies today

Energy is a long game, and all stakeholders have made a long-term affirmation that we are headed toward a more renewable future, REC Solar Senior Vice President Alan Russo writes.

By Alan Russo • Feb. 28, 2018

Report: Cities of all sizes can achieve sustainable energy solutions

The NRG report found that leading cities shared four main tactics in their efforts to boost sustainable energy: dedicating staff resources, employing unique assets, finding funding and accessing expertise.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2018

PJM: Reliability strong during January cold snap, but pricing reforms needed

The nation's largest electricity market performed well during January's "bomb cyclone," its grid operator said, but a spike in uplift charges reveals the need for pricing reforms. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2018

SEU 2018 survey: Utilities shaken, not moved, by Trump policies

Utility Dive's fifth annual State of the Electric Utility survey shows a sector committed to the clean energy transition, but wary of policies coming out of Washington.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 27, 2018

Solving our energy grid problems requires a data sharing economy

Solving energy grid problems in New York, Puerto Rico and beyond will depend on innovative leaders who are willing to foster standards and knowledge sharing, according to Lisa Salley, vice president of Global Industry Services at the American Petroleum Institute.  

By Lisa Salley • Feb. 23, 2018

Sonnen integrates EVs into virtual power plant in Germany

The new sonnenCharger will integrate with the company's sonnenCommunity battery network, which aims to utilize as much clean energy as possible.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2018

California energy agency predicts rising power demand

The California Energy Commission on Feb. 21 released its updated demand forecast, which sees higher consumption driven by electric vehicles and climate change. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2018

Customer empowerment upheaval forces California into hold on renewables

Customer choice aggregation is sweeping through California, putting almost everything about the state’s already groundbreaking power delivery into doubt.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 22, 2018

Maine regulators shorten delay of net metering rules, catching installers by surprise

New rules had been set to take effect on April 30, but the Maine Public Utilities Commission says the date will now be March 16.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2018