The future of energy storage is here: An inside look at Rocky Mountain Power’s 600-battery DR project

The 12.6 MWh Utah project uses solar and battery systems as a virtual power plant.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

Storage bill expanding utility rate recovery options for battery projects clears Senate committee

Top energy storage advocates are optimistic about the Better Energy Storage Technology Act's chances for a floor vote because of its bipartisan support.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2019

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

California wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?

New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

Ex-Tesla exec wants to increase utility control of DERs, and has a smart panel to do it

The new electric panel combines smart metering capabilities with remote control of energy use in residences, while easing installation of solar, energy storage and EV chargers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 20, 2019

Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Arizonans could save $3.5B with quicker coal to solar+storage transition, report finds

Research commissioned by the Sierra Club examined 11 coal units slated for closure in 2035 or later. Moving that timeline up to 2023 would result in significant savings, it found.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2019

As battery fires spark ongoing concerns, NFPA releases standards to address risks

Compacting high levels of energy in a small space can lead to increased risk of flammable gas releases and higher fire intensity, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

By HJ Mai • Sept. 17, 2019

The value of customer-sited storage: It's about more than demand charges, study finds

Surprise findings in the report from the Department of Energy's Berkeley Lab can help inform new rate structures for customer-sited storage.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2019

Fixed block solar and storage power solution

In a world that’s shifting to a more sustainable energy future, solar plus storage is a solution to meet peak demands.

Sept. 16, 2019

New York advances toward 3 GW storage goal with 2.5 GWh project to replace gas peakers

The state's Public Service Commission has approved construction of an energy storage facility to replace 16 combustion turbine units in Queens.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Oct. 17, 2019

Nothing standing in the way of energy storage's 'explosive growth': Navigant

The global energy storage market is expected to continue its exponential growth, with lithium-ion batteries remaining the predominant technology in the industry. 

By HJ Mai • Sept. 16, 2019

Sunrun partnership enhances HECO's ability to tap into DER systems when power demand spikes

The developer has teamed up with OATI to offer 4.3 MW of capacity and fast frequency service to the Hawaiian Electric Company through 1,000 solar+storage systems across Oahu residences.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 12, 2019

Renewables, storage poised to undercut natural gas prices, increase stranded assets: RMI

If all proposed gas plants are built, 70% of those investments will be rendered uneconomic by 2035, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 11, 2019

Los Angeles approves 'historically low cost' solar+storage project

The Department of Water and Power's Board of Commission authorized power purchase agreements for the Eland Solar and Storage Center, which includes 400 MW of solar generation and 1,200 MWh of energy storage.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2019

Santee Cooper forecasts coal phaseout, 1 GW new solar as base case for potential sale

The state-owned utility prepared the forecast at the direction of South Carolina legislators who are considering selling the company to pay off debt from the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2019

As utilities scramble to manage explosive DER growth, is power grid autonomy a solution?

The U.S. electric grid could face hundreds of millions of distributed resource deployments in the near future. But optimizing these data points may exceed human ability.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2019

Record set for US residential storage deployment, but overall outlook falls: WoodMac

Despite strong growth in the residential sector, the overall storage outlook declined for 2019, due to front-of-the-meter project delays and weaker-than-expected midyear numbers in some behind-the-meter markets.

By HJ Mai • Sept. 10, 2019

The unknown costs of a 100% carbon-free future

State approaches to 100% clean energy vary, and while several costs remain unknown, some utility solutions are emerging.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 3, 2019

Green Mountain Power partners with Sunrun to expand BYOD storage program

GMP first launched its battery program in 2018 through an exclusive partnership with Tesla.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 29, 2019

Is PREPA ready for hurricane season?

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has "a fragile system," according to the utility's director of project management, and "it still hasn't been elevated to the codes and standards for a Category 4" storm.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2019

UC San Diego launches study on recycling EV batteries into energy storage

The university partnered with manufacturer and energy company Cummins on a potential solution to the scarcity of foreign critical materials in batteries.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 28, 2019

Rocky Mountain Power to operate largest US residential battery demand response project

Sonnen and the utility are partnering to build a virtual power plant at the new 600-unit apartment complex, with 12.6 MWh of energy capacity from a 5.2 MW solar array.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2019

PG&E may answer the billion dollar grid modernization question

A step-by-step regulatory process in California confronts the technical challenges and "obscene expenses" of distributed resource investments.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2019

California calls for $100M to incentivize DERs in high-risk wildfire areas

The Public Utilities Commission proposed changes to the state's primary storage incentive that would create a budget for low-income customers in wildfire threat areas.

By HJ Mai • Updated Sept. 13, 2019