APS to install 50 MW, 135 MWh solar-shifting battery

The contract with developer First Solar will allow APS to use the battery to deliver solar power when electricity use is at its peak, 3-8 p.m. each day.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2018

Is PURPA done? New bill takes aim at law's mandatory purchase obligation

The law has been under fire for much of its 40-year history, but changes proposed in November could be the most significant yet.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 12, 2018

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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

Tesla plans to triple battery storage deployments in 2018

But its solar business appears to be slumping, in part due to a change in the payment model, the company says. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2018

Markets matter: US wind belt expands as more utilities do the math

The DOE NOPR and the tax overhaul bill initially threatened the continued growth of wind energy. But "ultimately, clean power emerged a winner on policy, again," Vestas Americas President Chris Brown writes.

By Chris Brown • Feb. 8, 2018

The 'small miracle' that may lead to California's net metering successor

Sooner or later, retail rate net metering must go, stakeholders agree. But solar advocates say later, while utilities say sooner, and therein hangs the tale.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2018

Hawaii regulators approve HECO's suite of demand response, solar programs

The utility has proposed demand response programs aimed at harnessing electric vehicles, appliances and storage, while the new solar programs aim to compensate rooftop solar users.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2018

Energy tax credits included in Senate budget deal

Tax credit extensions for nuclear plants and a number of natural gas and renewable energy technologies are in the Senate package, but are likely to face opposition in the House.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

China wants compensation for US solar panel tariffs as industry braces for job losses

A string of countries have started filing challenges at the World Trade Organization over a recent decision by the Trump administration to impose tariffs on solar equipment. China is the latest. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 7, 2018

Tech company Switch announces 1 GW solar farm for Nevada

The project, dubbed Gigawatt 1, would cost "half as much" as NV Energy's green offerings, the company said, and could be the biggest project in the U.S.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 7, 2018

AES prepares for layoffs at US utilities as part of wider restructuring effort

The energy company is pushing to shrink its carbon footprint and pivot to cleaner energy resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2018

NRG sells renewable energy business, Southern plants in reorganization move

The company says the sale will bring in $2.9 billion in cash and more is to come as it continues to remake itself.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 7, 2018

EIA: Low prices, rising production to boost gas generation through 2050

While natural gas grows the most on an absolute basis in EIA's projections, reaching 39% of U.S. energy production in 2050, nonhydroelectric renewable energy grows the most on a percentage basis.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2018

Tesla to outfit 50K Australian homes with solar+storage for 250 MW virtual power plant

The electric car company wants to build what it calls the world's largest virtual power plant, harnessing 250 MW of solar power and 650 MWh of energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 5, 2018

Honolulu storage permits surge 1,700% in one year, new report says

State regulators' decision to eliminate net metering and cap interim incentive programs made energy storage systems more attractive.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2018

New Hampshire rejects Northern Pass transmission, throwing project into doubt

The decision is sparking concern in Massachusetts, which just last week selected the project to help meet state clean energy goals. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2018

In 2017, solar policy debates took the industry's future to higher ground

Utility leaders and solar advocates are struggling at state commissions across the country to answer hard questions about solar’s value to customers and the distribution system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2018

Report: Trump budget seeks 72% cut to DOE clean energy research

Electric vehicle research would take an especially big hit, The Washington Post reports, cut to $56 million from $307 million. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2018

For utilities, the new corporate tax cuts are a double-edged sword

Reports from Brattle and Moody's say tax cuts will squeeze utility cash flows, potentially hurting credit quality. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 1, 2018

New Jersey to accelerate 3.5 GW offshore wind target

The state has a goal of developing 3,500 MW of offshore wind generation by 2030, but little progress has been made so far.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2018

Arizona regulator proposes 80% clean energy mandate, 3 GW storage target

The Clean Peak Standard from Arizona regulator Andy Tobin would require utilities to deliver an increasing portion of their renewable energy during peak demand hours. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 30, 2018

The best laid plans of state regulators are now aimed at building a better distribution system

Regulators are pushing utilities to plan for the rising penetrations of distributed energy resources, but they're doing it in many ways.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2018

New York rolls out 'master plan' to develop 2.4 GW of offshore wind

The plan aims to identify the most favorable areas for development and address mechanisms to procure offshore wind energy at the lowest cost to ratepayers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2018

New Jersey to rejoin RGGI in new executive order

Former Gov. Chris Christie withdrew the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2012, causing it to fall behind on emission targets. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 29, 2018

'Year of the grid': DER management takes center stage at DistribuTECH

The distributed energy revolution hinges on the development of new software platforms that can help utilities make sense of a deluge of grid data.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2018

Texas regulator proposes to deny AEP storage plan

Instead, the head of the Public Utility Commission of Texas recommended opening a separate docket to examine issues surrounding grid-edge technology, including storage. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2018