Kentucky utilities team up with EPRI for battery storage testing

A 1 MW battery sited at a Mercer County coal plant will allow the utilities to evaluate the potential benefits of utility-scale battery technologies.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

Minnesota bipartisan effort would double renewables mandate to 50% by 2030

Lawmakers are touting the economic benefits of clean power in a new push to double the state's renewable portfolio standard. 

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

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

Younicos to install 3 MW storage system on Kodiak Island, Alaska

The new lithium-ion batteries will replace a lead-acid system installed in 2012. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 28, 2017

Duke says North Carolina PURPA solar contracts too expensive

Duke Energy says its avoided costs for power in North Carolina have plummeted and wants regulators to reduce compensation for projects covered by PURPA.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2017

SolarCity to focus on profitability, not growth in 2017 after Tesla buyout

Though Tesla reported a loss, the SolarCity deal brought $214 million in cash to bolster cash flows. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 24, 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

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

Ohio universities test new software to optimize building energy use with solar, batteries

The University of Toledo and Case Western Reserve University will work with a DOE lab to automate energy management for campus buildings. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2017

Michigan, Utah researchers say new compound could extend flow battery life

University researchers say computer modeling has helped them find a promising candidate for the battery anolyte that is based on pyridinium.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2017

Connecticut girds for nuclear power debate as critics line up against Millstone support bill

A bill in the works would allow nuclear power to bid into the state's renewable energy solicitations, a move independent generators say would undermine competition in wholesale markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2017

North Dakota amended bill seeks to halt wind development for two years

The bill also recommends the state tackle a management study on its long term energy plan in the interim. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 22, 2017

Updated: California lawmaker proposes to target 100% renewables by 2045

The bill would also set California's current 50% renewables mandate deadline at 2025, instead of 2030. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 22, 2017

Florida Power & Light plans to build 596 MW of solar farms by 2018

The utility will develop eight new solar plants in its service territory, each sized at 74.5 MW. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2017

Maryland regulators finalize community solar program rules

Solar advocates hailed the decision, saying they expect it to boost development in the state.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2017

Indiana Senate committee clears bill to end net metering

The measure would phase out net metering by 2027 and passed the Indiana Senate Utilities Committee in a 8-2 vote.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2017

Herding cats: California PUC President Picker on the new DER Action Plan

A new regulatory roadmap aims to guide the power sector into the distributed energy future, but is everyone along for the ride? 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 21, 2017

2017 Maui Energy Conference investigates energy systems through the prism of resilience

This year’s Maui Energy Conference will use resilience and sustainability as the backdrop to discuss the challenges faced by utilities and the other energy stakeholders.

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

Connecticut DEEP rejects two utility storage pilots as too costly

Eversource and Avangrid were sent back to the drawing board on two substation-sited storage projects. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 21, 2017

2017 forecast: Bright, sun-shiny days for utility solar

Ray Gifford, a former chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, analyzes recent numbers from the solar industry. 

By Ray Gifford • Feb. 17, 2017

Bill would increase Nevada renewable energy mandate to 80% by 2040

AB 206 would eliminate the solar carve-out in the current 20% RPS, but would allow utilities to count residential solar toward their clean power goals. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

SPP wind power sets penetration record, serving 52% of load one day

The grid operator is dealing with a fast-growing base of wind capacity, now over 16 GW.  

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2017

War, peace and innovation: Solar policy in 2016

Solar policy debates will continue to rise as stakeholders debate rate design and net metering compensation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 16, 2017

Texas utility proposes increased fees, demand charges for solar customers in 2017 rate case

The utility is asking for a mandatory demand charge and a separate rate class for solar customers six months after it dropped a similar proposal.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017