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

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

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

PNM proposes gas, solar+storage mix as cheapest option to replace San Juan coal plant

The utility also modeled fossil fuel-free scenarios, but is not interested in making the large investment in battery technology that would be required.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 3, 2019

New York regulators assess potential for storage to replace peaking units in the state

A new report shows that at least 275 MW of peaking units, or about 6% of the total capacity in New York state, are potential candidates for replacement with six‐hour energy storage.

By HJ Mai • July 3, 2019

Los Angeles solicits record solar + storage deal at 1.997/1.3-cents kWh

8Minute Energy beat its record for U.S. solar contracts, previously held by the 2.376 cents per kWh project being developed for NV Energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 2, 2019

Utah approves Rocky Mountain Power's 600-battery apartment project

The Public Service Commission approved three demand-side management projects authorized by a 2016 law, focused on electrified transportation, storage and grid management.

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2019

Diversifying the Northeast power mix: Is offshore wind + storage key to the region's reliability?

As more New England states roll out offshore wind mandates, bringing the technology to scale is a portfolio priority.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2019

Transitioning US to 100% renewables by 2030 will cost $4.5 trillion: Wood Mackenzie

Including existing nuclear plants would reduce the price by almost $500 billion, while other savings are possible with a longer time frame to allow for technological advancements, the consulting firm said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated July 1, 2019

California regulators propose 2 GW new peak capacity to address reliability concerns

The state's Public Utilities Commission has launched a procurement track that could include renewables, storage, demand response and other resources, while limiting imports.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2019

NV Energy to add 1.2 GW solar, 2.3 GWh storage as large customer exit slows

The capacity will be divided among three projects and help the utility exceed its goal of doubling renewable energy output by 2023.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 25, 2019

To compete in the global battery arms race, the US must spur its domestic market, analysts say

Industry experts say the United States has to create incentives for lithium-ion battery products to encourage manufacturers and decrease its dependence on Chinese imports.

By HJ Mai • June 24, 2019

New Jersey's 2021 storage goals could require $650M in subsidies, report for legislature finds

The state wants to install 600 MW of energy storage in the next couple of years as it targets 2 GW by 2030, but a new analysis warns that could be a costly option.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2019

French oil giant Total expands into US microgrid market with Go Electric acquisition

Battery manufacturer and Total subsidiary Saft sees the purchase as an important step in its strategy to accelerate the growth of its energy storage systems business.

By HJ Mai • June 19, 2019

US launches initiative to reduce storage, EV reliance on Chinese minerals amid trade uncertainty

The Energy Resources Governance Initiative is focused on reducing supply disruption risks to emerging clean energy markets reliant on critical energy minerals such as lithium, copper and cobalt.

By HJ Mai • June 13, 2019

The rise of EVs could overwhelm the grid, but PG&E has a better plan

Stakeholders can use PG&E’s framework to see where the value lies in meeting the power demand that will come with the big shift to transportation electrification.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2019

Puerto Rico energy plan introduces MiniGrids to avoid repeat of Hurricane Maria

The $14 billion plan also calls for 1.4 GW of solar and 920 MW of battery storage, with the MiniGrids "designed to ensure continued supply to critical loads" as well as "timely recovery of the priority loads."

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2019

New Jersey charts path to 100% clean energy by 2050, with 2 GW of storage by 2030

The state issued a draft 2019 Energy Master Plan with seven strategies for eliminating all carbon emissions from its power sector, including accelerating the deployment of renewables and distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2019

Storage system costs could rise 15% with escalation in US-China trade dispute: Report

A tariff escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China is expected to increase installation costs by about 15%.

By HJ Mai • June 11, 2019

GE: Hydrogen trumps CCS in preserving gas turbines in a carbon-free grid

The company said its gas turbines are able to handle increasing amounts of hydrogen fuel, lowering the resulting emissions and moving the technology toward burning 100% carbon-free hydrogen.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2019

How can the US reduce battery costs and foreign dependence? Recycle, Argonne official tells senators

Sen. Joe Manchin voiced concerns on June 4 that the current U.S., China trade row could affect the supply of minerals, such as lithium or cobalt, commonly used in battery storage products.

By HJ Mai • June 5, 2019

US energy storage market sees 232% year-on-year growth

The resource had another record quarter in Q1 2019, with 148.8 MW deployed across the U.S. and projections it will reach an installed total of 4.5 GW by 2024.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 5, 2019