Intense heat pushing Texas grid to the brink highlights need for long-duration storage, experts say

A range of energy storage technologies is necessary to protect against grid instability across the U.S., with public and private funding as well as new tools offering much promise, panelists at an Our Energy Policy webinar said.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • July 19, 2022

Pending copper shortfall threatens energy transition, greenhouse gas reduction goals: S&P Global

Even assuming record levels of mining and recycling, there won’t be enough copper to meet the needs of electric vehicles and other components of the energy transition, according to a report released Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • July 15, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Offshore wind developer Equinor to acquire battery company East Point Energy

Wind developer Equinor, based in Norway, says the acquisition will allow it to “build a portfolio of battery storage assets in the U.S.”

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2022

California ISO moves to enhance reliability, economic prospects for utility-scale energy storage

One proposed revision would protect the federal tax credit for batteries co-located with solar plants to keep them from being charged by the grid. Another aims to help storage projects replace local gas plants.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • July 12, 2022

US energy storage capacity tripled in 2021: EIA

The increase in storage capacity was accompanied by changes in how the batteries are used, with applications shifting away from traditional ancillary services.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2022

Battery prices to rise for first time since 2010, slowing EV adoption: BNEF

The costs to build and operate new onshore wind and solar resources have also risen in the past year but overall remain cheaper than those costs for fossil fuel resources, according to BloombergNEF.

By Robert Walton • July 11, 2022

PG&E, Tesla launch program to use customers’ Powerwall batteries to tackle California reliability concerns

A pilot program to turn Tesla’s distributed energy storage systems into a virtual power plant as part of a state program to address reliability concerns may be hampered by its short life, warns a storage advocate.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • June 29, 2022

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 agency.

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

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