Our 10 best stories of 2018

Our top stories of the year illustrate the decline of coal-fired generation and the numerous policy surprises that came out of the federal government this year.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2018

NV energy plan to add 100 MW storage, 1 GW renewables gets PUC approval

The proposal includes a half dozen new solar facilities that, combined with 100 MW of new battery storage, would add more than 1 GW of renewables to the state's portfolio.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2018

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

How many billionaires does it take to get a geothermal storage facility underway?

A clean energy fund led by Bill Gates has invested in the molten salt storage startup Malta, which raised $26 million in its first round of funding, spinning off from the private Alphabet X research lab.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 21, 2018

How policies can make or brake solar development in the Southeast

Third party financing can enable solar growth, but faces hurdles in several states. Some utilities are not compensating for solar's value on the grid and leveling charges specific to solar owners. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2018

In major restructuring, ABB shifts from heavy electrical manufacturing to distributed energy

ABB is turning to distributed generation in Europe, stepping back from the Asian market for heavy electric equipment through the sale of its power transmission business to Hitachi.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2018

As grid mod accelerates and regulators push back, Duke and others retool proposals

Within this whirlwind of activity, some utilities are responding well and some are struggling to meet pressure from regulators and stakeholders to justify spending proposals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2018

New York Gov. Cuomo pledges 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040

The announcement comes days after the state Public Service Commission approved the third phase of its clean energy standard as well as a 3 GW energy storage goal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2018

As California looks to power shut-offs to prevent fires, Sunrun touts microgrids

As utilities are being directed to cut off power during high wind and dry conditions to prevent the start of deadly wildfires, state regulators opened a proceeding to look at unintended effects.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 17, 2018

New York sets 3 GW storage target, doubles efficiency goals for utilities

The Public Service Commission has set the most ambitious state energy storage target in the country, while also requiring investor-owned utilities to more than double their energy efficiency reductions by 2025.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2018

Long-duration energy storage R&D: An opportunity for American climate leadership

A U.S.-led international initiative to accelerate progress on this storage technology would bend the curve of carbon pollution downward toward zero.

By David M. Hart and Spencer Nelson • Dec. 14, 2018

'Voluntary demand' for renewables pushes utilities to new technology, business models: Deloitte

As renewable energy growth accelerates, utilities are taking a more active role in embracing the enabling technology.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 12, 2018

With US EV sales forecast to explode, Southern says grid will be prepared

A November power industry report projects a rise from 1 million EVs on U.S. roads now to 18.7 million by 2030, resulting in only about a 2% increase in energy sales.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 12, 2018

As grid operators file FERC Order 841 plans, storage floodgates open slowly

It will be at least a year before new rules for energy storage take hold for most ISOs and RTOs.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 11, 2018

JP Morgan enters $200M joint venture to fund solar+storage developer

8minutenergy Renewables received capital commitments from the investment bank and an affiliate of Upper Bay Infrastructure Partners to support its project pipeline of over 10 GW of utility solar and energy storage.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 11, 2018

C&I case study: 43% reduced consumption for 13 hours

Industrial warehouse drops 4,000+ kWh & 250+ kW over 13 hours daily with Thermal Energy Storage (TES).

Dec. 11, 2018

Schumer to Trump: For infrastructure deal, make storage and renewable tax credits permanent

To help fight climate change, the Senate Minority Leader also called for more investments in the electric grid, transmission and clean emissions technology.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 10, 2018

US storage market to reach 3.9 GW, $4.5B by 2023: Wood Mackenzie

More than 61 MW of energy storage was deployed in the third quarter, dominated by behind-the-meter installations, and the firm says the market will double in 2019 and 2020.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2018

North Carolina energy storage market could exceed 1 GW by 2030, says study by universities

The state currently has 1 MW of battery storage, and the new study mandated by state law laid out potential use cases for energy storage technologies.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 6, 2018

California utilities prep nation's biggest time-of-use rate rollout

Over 300 time-varying rates in 62 pilots have shown consumers can "understand and respond," but California’s three IOUs are dealing with more than 20 million people.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 6, 2018

Grid operators file plans with FERC on integrating storage into wholesale markets

There is wide variance in grid operators' responses to FERC's Order 841, such as different proposals on how to manage the charge/discharge state of a battery storage system.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 4, 2018

Policymaker of the Year: Kevin McIntyre, FERC

The work that McIntyre started during his tenure as FERC chairman will define the legacy of the commission under this administration.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 3, 2018

The Utility Dive Awards for 2018

The awards recognize the utility industry's top disruptors and innovators. These executives and companies are key leaders in the sector's pivotal transition.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 3, 2018

New Hampshire settlement moves 'cutting-edge' utility BTM storage pilot forward

The Liberty-led pilot will be the second regulator-approved program for utility-owned behind-the-meter storage, and phase 2 will be the first to include the private sector.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 27, 2018

Energy storage industry pushes for clarity on tax credit eligibility

Confirming whether energy storage can qualify for the Investment Tax Credit could help clean energy firms obtain financing, compete internationally and grow, the Energy Storage Association and other groups said.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2018

Customer demand drives SRP to add 1 GW new solar by 2025

By the end of Fiscal Year 2025, Salt River Project plans to have more than 1,200 MW of solar capacity and will be in the market to add battery storage.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2018