How storage can help solve the distributed energy 'death spiral'

A new Navigant paper lays out three examples of how storage can facilitate the transition to a more distributed grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 21, 2016

Morgan Stanley: Australian utilities underestimate disruptive power of solar+storage

With electricity prices rising, storage costs falling and solar incentives phasing out, the stage could be set for significant load defection in Australia as consumers increasingly deploy their own batteries and PV.

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2016

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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

ConEd virtual power plant shows how New York's REV is reforming utility practices

Usually thought of as a zero-sum game, the REV docket is finding ways to allow utilities, third parties and customers all benefit from the deployment of distributed resources. 

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2016

Hawaii PUC staff outlines bill credits for community renewable energy programs

The PUC staff was responding to proposals made by Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Electric Utility Cooperative in response to a state law. 

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2016

Report: Lack of land poses hurdles for North Carolina solar development

Substations will need to be upgraded to continue to growth of solar energy in the state, and high-value land near those substations is quickly being snatched up.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2016

Montana PSC suspends PURPA rates for small solar farms

Until a new rate is decided, developers will need to negotiate with power providers for rates on a case-by-case basis. 

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2016

Georgia Power sees sluggish rooftop solar growth

Georgia Power launched an unregulated solar installation division last year, but so far it has only installed five systems.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2016

Scientists, advocates spar over role of biomass energy in climate change policies

Appropriations bills in the U.S. House and Senate would call biomass energy carbon neutral, but some in the scientific community say that's not exactly right.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2016

Siemens, Gamesa to form world's largest wind developer

Siemens is reportedly paying more than $1 billion for a 59% stake in the combined business.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2016

EPA proposes CPP state renewable energy incentives despite SCOTUS freeze

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlined a voluntary program designed to incentivize states to establish energy efficiency and renewables projects. 

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2016

White House initiative targets storage growth for demand management, renewables integration

The Obama administration is hosting a summit on how best to scale up renewable and storage technologies, and how to most effectively integrate them into smarter electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • June 17, 2016

Maryland regulators approve community solar pilot program

The three-year pilot will focus on providing renewable energy benefits for low and moderate income customers.

By Robert Walton • June 17, 2016

Beyond rate reforms: Bundling strategies could resolve net metering battles

While no silver bullet is found in a single strategy, an NREL study suggests bundling several approaches could address both solar and utilities' concerns about rooftop solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 16, 2016

Wyoming's wind tax debate puts plans for biggest North American wind farm in doubt

Wyoming is considering raising taxes on wind production, and the Power Company of Wyoming says it could make their project uneconomical.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2016

After veto, Vermont governor signs modified renewables siting bill

The governor had vetoed a previous version due to concerns over "unintended effects" of new wind sound standards.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2016

Report: Energy storage market to reach $250B by 2040

Utility scale batteries are expected to reach 25 GW by 2028, a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance says. 

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2016

'Should have started yesterday': Why better transmission planning is urgently necessary for tomorrow's grid

The power mix is changing fast and it will cost ratepayers if transmission planners don’t catch up quickly, according to a new report from the Brattle Group.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 15, 2016

Minnesota regulators to review solar charges by rural co-ops

Solar advocates say the grid connection fees for rooftop solar arrays in Minnesota are too high. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 15, 2016

Con Ed rolls out $15M virtual power plant project for REV

At least 300 homes will be equipped with leased solar panels and lithium-ion battery storage in the Queens and Brooklyn areas of New York City. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

Carolinas industry group seeks to change up the utility business model

A trade group rolled out a white paper outlining ways to change the way utilities operate in North Carolina. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2016

Apple files with FERC to sell energy in wholesale markets

Apple could be looking to leverage its renewables portfolio by filing as an energy provider.

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2016

Greater than the sum: How aggregation is making storage into a software business

Grouping customer-sited batteries can deliver the same benefits as grid-scale storage, DNV-GL says.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2016

The Rural Utilities Service: How the USDA is building a clean energy future for rural America

The USDA's RUS has backed rural communities since the 1930s and now has billions to dole out for renewables and efficiency projects for underserved populations.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2016

City of Madison, Wisconsin plans to cut carbon 80% by 2050

The ambitious plan follows on the heels of other cities, such as Denver, Colorado, adopting similar plans. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 10, 2016

Massachusetts House passes mandates for 1.2 GW each of offshore wind, hydropower

The measure would establish carve-outs in the RPS for 1,200 MW of hydro and 1,200 MW of offshore wind.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2016