Dominion jacks up renewables and storage in Virginia IRP, following landmark clean energy rule

In its newest plan for the state, Dominion would add between 11 and 40 GW of solar in the next 25 years and up to 5 GW of offshore wind in the next 15 years, while still keeping some natural gas in the system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 5, 2020

SCE procures 770 MW of battery storage to bolster California's grid as gas plants approach retirement

"The word hockey stick gets thrown around a lot, but that is some real exponential growth in the storage market," Daniel Finn-Foley, head of energy storage at Wood Mackenzie Power and Renewables, told Utility Dive.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 5, 2020

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

New Mexico delays 350 MW, 240 MWh solar+storage projects intended to replace San Juan coal plant

Meanwhile, a company determined to save the San Juan plant announced it has secured $22 million in federal funding to explore potential carbon storage options in grounds near the facility.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 1, 2020

'Tremendous demand for stationary storage' outstrips Tesla's 2020 supply capability, Musk says

In the first quarter of 2020, though, the company saw a 51% drop in storage deployments compared to the prior quarter. Energy deployments in general were limited due to shutdowns, according to CFO Zachary Kirkhorn.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 1, 2020

Duke to double renewable capacity in 5 years, but critics say utility lags on storage deployment

The utility plans to add 8,000 MW of wind, solar and biomass by 2025, but critics say the utility isn't taking sufficient advantage of energy storage and efficiency.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2020

As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020

84 GW US renewables+storage pipeline has developers anxious for market integration rules

Utilities and developers are adding renewables plus storage hybrids so fast and cost-effectively that regulators had to schedule a conference on paired technologies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 23, 2020

Storage, smart grid, energy efficiency sectors see $337M in Q1 corporate funding: Report

Venture capital funding in these sectors totaled $252 million, according to a report from Mercom Capital Group — a 20% increase over the first quarter of last year.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 22, 2020

PG&E proposes lithium-ion battery projects to replace Oakland fossil fuel plant

The projects are part of a "first-of-its-kind" utility-community choice aggregator collaboration and reflect a broader shift to distributed energy resources, according to PG&E.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 16, 2020

COVID-19 hits clean energy jobs, but storage companies could be 'bucking the trend'

In a recent survey conducted by the Energy Storage Association, three-fourths of respondents said they did not expect to reduce employment.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 16, 2020

Increasing renewables and DER demand new reliability approach, but California is falling short, groups say

Resource adequacy's planning reserve margin worked when supply and load were stable, but new system realities demand a more dynamic approach to protect reliability, emerging power providers and DER advocacy groups say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2020

DOE eyes storage technologies to improve the performance of fossil fuel plants

Energy storage resources could help fossil-fueled facilities provide more reliable and affordable energy, according to the department's Office of Fossil Energy.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 9, 2020

Global storage deployments could see hit in 2020, but 'fundamental drivers' still remain, analysts say

Several factors could affect future storage deployments, including a possible recession and future stimulus packages. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 7, 2020

COVID-19 disrupts storage bidding processes for New York utilities, but state report shows progress

New York regulators' first State of Storage report shows the state is 47% of the way toward its interim goal of 1,500 MW of storage by 2025.

By Matthew Bandyk • April 3, 2020

Cheapest is not always best: Concentrated solar power could beat lower price PV with new market rules

With its zero-emissions mandate, California will need a diversity of renewable resources along with CSP, "particularly because of its long duration storage" potential, the state's Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said.​

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2020

Massachusetts is 3 months from implementing nation's 1st clean peak standard

While the new standard is expected to reduce ratepayer costs from avoided or deferred infrastructure upgrades, utilities remain concerned about the cost of the program.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 6, 2020

NextEra's secret recipe for energy storage: Planning

With the current and expanding opportunities for battery storage, utility planners and investors require appropriate analyses, valuation approaches, and tools to assess project value for this rapidly evolving technology.

March 25, 2020

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

Lead batteries make innovation push to better compete for energy storage projects

The Consortium for Battery Innovation believes more research can make lead-acid batteries cost-competitive for storage.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 19, 2020

New York taps developers for almost 1.3 GW of solar, wind and storage across upstate region

The 21 projects are expected to generate more than $2.5 billion in direct, private investments. Advocates say the announcement highlights the need for energy siting reform in the Empire State.

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2020

'An immediate and dramatic business concern:' How COVID-19 is disrupting the energy sector

The industry could face declines in demand, distracted regulators and disrupted supply chains, according to experts.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 17, 2020

Energy storage deployments to increase 7x between 2019 and 2021: WoodMac

Mega battery projects are driving quick growth in the storage sector, including a 182.5 MW, 730 MWh project from Pacific Gas & Electric.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020

Nuclear energy storage? Advanced reactor developers trying to expand nuclear power's selling points

Molten salt reactors have been trying to reach commercialization for several years, and developers are now emphasizing their potential storage capability. But that may not be enough.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020

Blackstone buys NRStor subsidiary, as financial sector increasingly moves into energy storage

Battery storage is quickly becoming a more stable investment, particularly as demand for renewable energy grows.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 9, 2020

Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value

Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2020