To batteries and beyond: In a high-renewables world, pumped hydro storage could be 'the heavy artillery'

Experts say pumped hydro is notoriously difficult to site. But as more renewables come online, the industry is eyeing new locations and fresh technologies.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 13, 2020

To batteries and beyond: With seasonal storage potential, hydrogen offers 'a different ballgame entirely'

The ability to provide long-term storage could give power-to-gas technologies an edge as renewables grow on the grid, some experts say. But larger questions remain around the infrastructure and policies to support it.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 12, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Storage

The proliferation of energy storage in everything from utility-scale batteries to electric vehicles is a driving force in the transition to a cleaner, more distributed power system. This trendline includes the best Utility Dive reporting on this dynamic sector.

By Utility Dive staff

Arizona OKs home battery incentives as Green Mountain Power program shows millions in customer savings

The Vermont-based utility said its growing network of stored energy, including home batteries, has shaved $3 million off customer costs so far in 2020 by cutting electricity demand during peak hours.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 6, 2020

California's Salton Sea offers chance for US battery supply chain, despite financial, policy challenges

There are multiple advantages to building a domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries, including avoiding the risks of tariffs or restrictions on obtaining components from overseas, one expert said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 6, 2020

Global storage heading to 741 GWh by 2030, WoodMac projects, amid ongoing challenges

"[I]t would be helpful to the system if we could improve the price signals, the economics of [storage] installations and compensate them," one analyst said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 5, 2020

Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts

Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 2, 2020

Vistra to retire 6.8 GW coal, blaming 'irreparably dysfunctional MISO market'

The company plans to hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, will retire all its Midwest coal by 2027 or sooner, and add almost 1,000 MW of solar by the end of 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 30, 2020

6 practical steps to improve community safety near lithium-ion energy storage systems

Research and curricula for first responders on lithium-ion battery storage system fires is insufficient, leading to situations where the fire service must piece together limited information to address incidents, the author writes.

By Steve Kerber • Sept. 28, 2020

Demand response failed California 20 years ago; the state's recent outages may have redeemed it

The West's recent heatwaves put California power users in the dark but showed how flexible demand response, including distributed storage, can keep the lights on.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2020

New York sets minimum 3-year term for new load management programs to drive more energy storage

The rules are "technology agnostic," but experts say longer contract terms for load management resources should help development of new battery projects.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2020

PJM action on valuation 'opens the door' to energy storage in its capacity market

The grid operator's move could offer a model for other regional transmission organizations and independent system operators, said Energy Storage Association Vice President of Policy Jason Burwen.

By Guy Burdick • Sept. 24, 2020

The real-world benefits of advanced load shifting

Though much of the electric-power industry has begun paying close attention to the importance of load shifting and demand response in recent years, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (CEPCI), has been focused on their benefits for decades.

Sept. 23, 2020

Pipelines, energy storage among 60+ projects expedited by Trump order waiving environmental regulations

Newly released documents provide details into some of the infrastructure projects that have been sped up by the Trump administration to help hasten the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jennifer Goodman • Sept. 21, 2020

Hawaiian Electric asks regulators to approve nearly 2 GWh storage, 300 MW solar contracts

One project will "help facilitate the retirement of the last coal plant in Hawaii," said its developer.

By Guy Burdick • Sept. 18, 2020

Lessons from Disruption: Navigating the Pandemic and Beyond

Welcome to "Lessons from Disruption: Navigating the Pandemic and Beyond," a podcast series dedicated to further understanding how the utility industry can overcome the several challenges brought out by COVID-19 with technology and smart planning. 

By Utility Dive's Brand Studio • Sept. 18, 2020

How to participate in the 2020 Utility Dive Awards

Industry Dive is gearing up for the 2020 Dive Awards. We want to hear your ideas on the executives, utilities and policymakers that stood out.

By Utility Dive Editors • Updated Sept. 28, 2020

Home energy management is a lifeline

The adoption of mobile home energy management apps surges as residential customers take control of increasing energy bills and higher energy burdens.

Sept. 17, 2020

Virginia regulators outline Dominion path toward 2.7 GW storage by 2035

The order requires Dominion to propose 250 MW of energy storage by 2025 as an interim target.

By Guy Burdick • Updated Dec. 23, 2020

FERC reverses 40 years of PURPA precedent in ruling on small solar definition, punts on storage question

The commission upended precedent that found a facility's net solar capacity must be no larger than the 80 MW threshold.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 14, 2020

Lucid Motors looks to challenge Tesla in residential, utility-scale storage markets

The CEO of Lucid Motors said the company will offer home energy storage systems as well as luxury electric vehicles.

By Guy Burdick • Sept. 11, 2020

Adding it all up: Counting the capacity contribution of variable and duration-limited resources

The failure to properly count the quantity of capacity available to meet load during extreme weather events, like wildfires, can lead to inadequate power supplies and rotating blackouts, the authors write.

By Nick Schlag, Zachary Ming and Arne Olson • Sept. 10, 2020

NYISO allows full participation for energy storage in wholesale power markets

Analysts claim the action levels the playing field for energy storage resources, but more work needs to be done for the storage market to take off in the state.

By Guy Burdick • Sept. 9, 2020

FERC summit highlights reliability concerns for renewables + storage, but has California found a solution?

In a day-long FERC conference on renewables+storage hybrids earlier this summer, system operators focused on reliability while advocates described new opportunities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 3, 2020

Duke IRP includes scenarios to reduce carbon emissions 70% by 2030

One 70% reduction scenario would not add any more natural gas, and another would add 2,650 MW of offshore wind by 2030. But its base case scenarios continue gas buildout into the 2030s.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 2, 2020

Going beyond Order 841 to more meaningful FERC storage policy

Despite the landmark order, other FERC proceedings are erecting new barriers to energy storage participation within energy, capacity and ancillary services markets, the author writes.

By Sean Baur • Sept. 1, 2020