As battery storage booms, investors spend big on startups

Long-duration energy storage firm Malta announced a $60 million fundraising round, while FlexGen notched $150 million in equity. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 27, 2021

Battery storage is on a growth spurt that's about to get even bigger, EIA says

Battery storage could contribute 10 GW to the grid between 2021 and 2023, a U.S. Energy Information Administration report concludes. But storage advocates say that estimate could be even bigger given recent industry growth.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 26, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Virtual Power Plants

Virtual power plants and their ability to balance energy supply and demand are increasingly sought by utilities as electricity demand increases, but their lack of standardization remains a barrier.

By Utility Dive staff

Generators, labor groups urge New York to develop incentives for nonrenewable generation

The effort could lead to investments in carbon capture and other low-emissions technology, but conservation advocates call it misguided and urge a focus on more renewables, transmission and storage.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2021

Will hydrogen usher in a new era of collaboration between gas and electric utilities?

With hundreds of businesses from dozens of industries eyeing hydrogen as a key opportunity for future growth, gas utilities have started to make a case for their role in the clean energy economy. But not everyone shares their vision.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 19, 2021

UL, Hyundai to partner on evaluation of EV batteries for energy storage

The project will focus on second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries. The companies say their partnership could also offer valuable data on lithium-ion battery safety risks.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 18, 2021

As momentum for hydrogen builds, electric utilities chart multiple paths forward

Utilities interested in the hydrogen market are considering the fuel for carbon-free generation and for new business models on the horizon.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 18, 2021

An ideal marriage? The battle to match US clean energy demand with excess Canadian hydropower

It would seem like the perfect match — a surplus of Canadian hydropower with a grid in the United States that is hungry for more renewable power sources. But moving that power is proving to be complicated.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 16, 2021

Michigan regulators push for utility pilots to test how energy storage benefits the grid

As the Midcontinent ISO crafts its storage rules, Michigan is encouraging utilities to test various uses of the resource in the wholesale and retail electricity markets.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 13, 2021

[Podcast] Ensuring Grid Resilience in a Time of Change

This 3-part podcast series provides you with expert insights into the questions and topics utilities need to address to properly harden their systems for a future full of change.

By Utility Dive's studioID • Aug. 9, 2021

Dominion planning 'largest clean energy submission to date' in Virginia filing

In its second quarter earnings call, CEO Robert Blue said the utility is aggressively pushing forward clean energy solutions, spending $17 billion on zero-carbon generation and storage over the next five years.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2021

The US power sector is halfway to net zero emissions, but it gets harder now, analysts say

Renewables led the power sector's recent energy transition, but breakthroughs are needed to take the transportation, building and industrial sectors to net zero emissions by mid-century.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2021

California governor moves to free up electricity supply amid projected 3.5 GW summer shortfall

Gavin Newsom, D, is pushing regulators to expedite clean energy projects, but experts are skeptical that the state will be able to bring online more than a limited amount of additional clean energy this summer. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 3, 2021

Xcel plans to roll out 10,000 MW of renewable energy in Minnesota, Colorado by 2030

Xcel Energy is accelerating plans to cut its carbon emissions in Minnesota, the utility's home base, and is also gearing up for a major transition, with longtime CEO Ben Fowke slated to retire on Aug. 18.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 30, 2021

Murkowski highlights potential boost to US critical minerals ahead of bipartisan infrastructure deal

Senators voted 67-32 to advance the latest version of the bipartisan infrastructure deal, securing the support of 17 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 29, 2021

Connecticut details incentives, equity goals for energy storage program

As part of a push to reach 1,000 MW of storage by the end of 2030, the state will target low-income and vulnerable communities.

By Jason Plautz • July 29, 2021

Long-duration storage market on the 'cusp of maturity': ESS CEO

NYISO and Baltimore Gas & Electric executives say market rules and emerging technology will usher in more long-duration storage and accelerate decarbonization.

By Jason Plautz • July 29, 2021

Musk: Supply chain issues creating 'significant unmet demand' for Tesla Megapack storage battery

In its Q2 earnings call, Tesla reported 1.2 GWh of storage deployment but warned that a global chip shortage "remains quite serious.”

By Jason Plautz • July 27, 2021

Form Energy's $20/kWh, 100-hour iron-air battery could be a 'substantial breakthrough'

Form unveiled a chemistry process for powering a battery the company claims can deliver electricity for 100 hours.

By Jason Plautz • July 26, 2021

NextEra adds 1,840 MW renewables and storage to more than 15 GW backlog in Q2

NextEra Energy is nearing the halfway mark in its campaign to roll out 30 million solar panels across Florida by 2030, the multistate utility said Friday in its second quarter earnings report. 

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 26, 2021

AEP seeing 'credible interest' from potential buyers of Kentucky Power subsidiary, CEO says

AEP is ramping up its push to build more renewable generation, executives said Thursday, as the company detailed an increase in second quarter earnings amid a rebounding economy and interest in its Kentucky subsidiary.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 23, 2021

Austin housing project offers Tesla large-scale test bed to address challenges with energy products

A planned community of homes with Tesla's Solar Roof and Powerwalls could offer new insights into the company's energy future. 

By Jason Plautz • July 21, 2021

APS launches incentive to tap 80% of residential customers' battery capacity during peak demand

Arizona Public Service expects to sign up 500 customers to the program, which provides a one-time payment of $1,250. The company offers a separate incentive for installation of residential storage systems up to 5 kW.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2021

DOE, storage provider Highview Power argue long-duration storage should be re-evaluated

Modeling solar and wind projects with long-duration storage would show a "way, way, way lower cost and way, way more value" than a fossil fuel asset, Highview Power CEO Javier Cavada said.

By Jason Plautz • July 16, 2021

DOE initiative seeks to drop long-duration storage cost 90% in a decade

The 90% reduction will use the $162/KWh cost for a 100MW lithium-ion battery in 2020 as a baseline, and is slightly ahead of the cost reduction for lithium-ion batteries over the past decade, a DOE official said.

By Jason Plautz • July 14, 2021

Malta, Siemens partner to develop heat pump for potential 20,000 MWh storage project

The partnership will focus on pumped heat storage technology to support a 100 MW thermal energy storage system for up to 200 hours of storage.

By Jason Plautz • July 13, 2021