Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Texas utilities poised to get ability to own energy storage assets

Starting Sept. 1, municipal utilities and electric cooperatives in the Lone Star state will be allowed to own energy storage facilities without having to register as a power generator.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 13, 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

Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

New York regulators call on FERC to exempt energy storage from NYISO's mitigation measures

The Public Service Commission alleges NYISO is negatively impacting the deployment of storage in the state.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 12, 2019

Dominion ventures into battery storage, proposes 16 MW pilot programs

The four lithium-ion projects would look at storage applications to support renewables expansion and improve grid reliability.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 7, 2019

As co-ops struggle with stranded fossil fuel assets, Tri-State may finally embrace the energy transition

"Our goal is a transition that lowers rates. It might be hard – but it might be beautiful," the G&T's new CEO told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2019

Arizona commissioner cites 'unacceptable risks' from lithium-ion batteries for large-scale projects

While the cause of the battery storage fire at Arizona Public Service's facility is being determined, Commissioner Sandra Kennedy proposed the use of less economic battery chemistries to ensure safety and reliability.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 6, 2019

US energy storage market grows nearly 45%, interconnects over 760 MWh in 2018: SEPA

Favorable economics, state policies and residential programs were all driving forces for the uptick, a new study from the Smart Electric Power Alliance showed.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 6, 2019

PG&E asks bankruptcy court to approve 'discounted' PPAs for storage and renewables projects

Three developers separately approached Pacific Gas & Electric to negotiate changes, in order to reduce project uncertainty created by the utility's bankruptcy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2019

Global storage deployments to hit 2,850 GWh by 2040, increasing 122-fold: BloombergNEF

BNEF estimates the coming storage boom will require $662 billion of investment, even though the cost of lithium-ion batteries is expected to fall by 50% over the next decade.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 1, 2019

Southwest Power Pool moves to boost reliability, storage amid CEO resignation

The buildout of cheap renewables and the large queue of battery storage projects prompted stakeholders to ask SPP to study the reliability impacts of a grid with less conventional generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 1, 2019

NY-BEST: New York peaker study underestimates storage potential

The study by the New York Battery & Energy Storage Technology Consortium found that about 6% of New York's peak capacity fleet could be replaced with energy storage.

By HJ Mai • July 31, 2019

Tesla Powerwall, Powerpack deployment grows 81% to 415 MWh in Q2

The amount marks a high point for quarterly deployment of the company's energy storage systems and shows that it remains focused on growing that part of its business alongside its electric vehicles.

By HJ Mai • Updated July 30, 2019

NextEra inks 700 MW wind + solar + battery project, largest in the US

The Oklahoma facility is also the first of its kind in the Southwest Power Pool, developers say.

By Robert Walton • July 29, 2019

Battery storage companies set $1.4B record in venture capital funding: Report

The sector has continued an upward trend since 2016, raising a record amount during the first six months of 2019, according to a new report.

By HJ Mai • July 24, 2019

ConEd, O&R seek to add at least 310 MW of bulk storage in pursuit of New York's 3 GW target

The state's largest utility and its subsidiary issued a joint RFP for projects, which must be operational by the end of 2022.

By HJ Mai • July 22, 2019

NARUC: FERC went beyond 'authority of power' in issuing Order 841

The group filed a petition for review on Tuesday, to the disappointment of the energy storage industry.

By HJ Mai • July 17, 2019

Sen. Murkowski teases prospects for storage as committee advances 22 energy bills

While the initiatives did not include energy storage-focused bills, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair said a second mark-up can be expected in September.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 17, 2019

$1B Montana pumped storage hydro project secures funding

The 400 MW Gordon Butte project would integrate more renewables onto the Northwestern grid, and could be ready to start construction next year, according to developers.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2019

Private equity investment in storage expected to increase as ECP buys Convergent

Experts say private equity fund Energy Capital Partner's acquisition of an energy storage developer is a validation for the sector and could lead to more investments going forward.

By HJ Mai • July 12, 2019

'Opportunities everywhere': NREL study shows mass potential for storage to provide peaking capacity

DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory found four-hour storage could meet peaking capacity across the country, with the potential to exceed 50 GW.

By HJ Mai • July 10, 2019

Report: Volkswagen pursues joint ventures with suppliers to secure EV production

Automakers looking to transition to electric vehicles face challenges sourcing the lithium and cobalt they need to produce a sufficient quantity of batteries.

By Morgan Forde • July 9, 2019

Solar + wind + storage developers 'gearing up' as hybrid projects edge to market

A "wave" of new projects is coming to use wind, solar and battery storage in ways that will stabilize grids, increase efficiencies and lower power costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 9, 2019

NV Energy failed to set aside $10M in storage incentive funds, now faces shortfall, fines

The utility agreed to set aside the money for energy storage systems, but failed to follow through, "severely" affecting the future of the program, according to regulators.

By Robert Walton • July 9, 2019

The new kid on the block: CCAs face credit, other challenges to lead California's renewable energy growth

Community Choice Aggregators say they will use resource diversity, distributed energy resources and load management to lead California beyond its 2030 renewables goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 8, 2019