Energy Storage

Energy sector job growth outpaces overall US economy, with strength in transportation, renewables: DOE

The number of jobs in the U.S. energy sector grew 4% in 2021, outpacing 2.8% growth in overall domestic employment, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2022

The next chapter for solar-plus-storage

At a time when supply chain constraints are resulting in overall higher costs and setbacks for energy storage projects, every bit of efficiency and profit that can be gained becomes extremely important.

By Andy Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage & Optimisation, Wärtsilä • June 27, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The Utility Dive Outlook on 2022

Utility Dive examines priorities, expectations and trends for three key subjects — FERC, renewable energy and rate design — and provides a broader roundup of some of the U.S. power sector trends to watch in the year ahead.

By Utility Dive staff

Energy storage soars despite international and national supply challenges: report

The domestic dispute over imported solar panels with alleged Chinese parts slowed large solar projects that were paired with storage but may have less of an impact next year, Wood Mackenzie analysts say.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • June 22, 2022

'All hands on deck' for the energy storage industry

A greater sense of urgency is needed to support markets for energy storage, a proven technology that provides the transformational pathway to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, the author writes.

By Kelly Sarber • June 21, 2022

New York regulators approve new transmission cost analysis approach, bill credits, 135 MW battery facility

At a busy open meeting, the Public Service Commission took steps to ensure the state meets mandates set out in its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2022

NextEra Energy plans to cut all carbon emissions by 2045, partly via FPL adding 140 GW of solar, storage

NextEra said Tuesday it can implement its carbon reduction plan without greenhouse gas offsets or increasing customer costs.

By Ethan Howland • June 14, 2022

Toyota enters energy storage market, launching residential battery product in Japan

The storage system’s vehicle-to-grid capabilities will provide “balancing in places where the grid system allows bidirectional charging,” providing power at “times of high energy use,” the company said.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • June 14, 2022

DOE closes on $504M loan guarantee for Utah hydrogen storage project with 150 GWh seasonal capacity

With the first DOE loan since 2014, the Advanced Clean Energy Storage project aims to make hydrogen from excess wind and solar production and then use it to produce electricity when supplies are short.

By Ethan Howland • June 9, 2022

GE to triple solar, storage solutions manufacturing capacity amid global supply chain squeeze

The company’s announcement aligns with the expected ramping up of solar module and battery manufacturing in response to supply shortages and expected continued growth, one expert said.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 9, 2022

'Dramatic shift' in utility regulations, better pilot designs needed to propel energy transition, DOE report finds

Electric industry players call for innovations in the way regulators handle pilots of new utility and private sector technologies and system operations in a new Department of Energy paper.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2022

Optimize rising renewables levels by increasing deployment of different types of energy storage: MIT

Federal support is needed to increase and diversify storage resources, according to an MIT report, which highlights needed policy paths, including funding for 12-hour-plus technologies.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • May 27, 2022

California OKs 497 MW of storage for SCE, eyes hydrogen funding amid ongoing grid reliability push

The approved storage contracts will help California ensure grid reliability during net peak hours, when electricity demand is still high but solar production is waning, according to regulators.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 20, 2022

FERC's Glick says he's 'bullish' on energy storage, aims to prioritize regulations for hybrid projects

The chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said at the CLEANPOWER conference in San Antonio that he also sees storage playing an important role in how grid operators address variability.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 18, 2022

Lithium-ion battery industry ramps up recycling focus as geopolitical events challenge supply chain

The Russia-Ukraine war and booming EV demand are contributing to surging battery commodity prices. Federal funding and private-sector investments could boost recycling to make the domestic supply more sustainable.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 17, 2022

DOE provides $505M to advance long-duration energy storage fed by renewables

Successful commercialization depends on driving down the cost of new technologies and ensuring that grid storage projects are adequately compensated, analysts say.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • May 17, 2022

Wind turbine blade sizes and transport: A guide

With wind energy growing in popularity, learn how to transport turbines safely and efficiently.

May 16, 2022

Storage to play key role in Hawaii grid reliability as coal plant nears retirement, experts say

Both utility-scale and distributed storage will provide unique benefits to the state's grid, said panelists at the Hawaii Energy Conference last week.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 12, 2022

The fight for a national clean energy transmission system emerges on three fronts

DOE’s multi-part transmission study, FERC’s refocus on transmission planning, and macrogrid advocacy efforts could produce an interconnected nation ready for net zero electricity by 2035, industry, government and other experts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2022

Earth Day roundup: The latest private-sector and Biden administration decarbonization efforts

As various companies and federal agencies release a flurry of announcements in tandem with Earth Day celebrations, Utility Dive takes a look at the biggest news in the sector.

By Utility Dive Editors • April 22, 2022

'Do you like minting money?': Musk urges entrepreneurs to enter lithium space as Tesla's supply woes persist

The company deployed 846 MWh of energy storage in Q1, but demand still outstrips its capacity, and it is working on ramping up production at a Megapack factory.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 22, 2022

Global corporate funding for storage rises to $12.9B despite supply chain squeeze: Mercom

Potentially higher interest rates, as well as the Department of Commerce's anti-dumping circumvention investigation into solar cells, could have implications for the industry down the road, however, Mercom's CEO said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 19, 2022

Battery storage costs rise more than 20% in New York as state forges ahead with 6 GW goal

The competitive market responded to the state's new target by adding more than 12 GW of energy storage to the interconnection queue.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • April 12, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

Energy storage for utilities: Is it better to own or contract a battery storage system?

How to evaluate whether owning or contracting a battery storage system is right for your utility.

April 11, 2022

'Brand new problem': California grid operator considers ways to integrate long-duration storage

The state must act now to position itself for long-duration storage resources to come online when needed, one storage advocate said at a regulatory workshop Tuesday.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 6, 2022