De-energize and DERs: The tough options wildfires pose for California utilities

California IOUs’ wildfire mitigation plans will cost billions and take years, but distributed generation can give customers power during protective shutoffs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2019

Developer eyes world's largest solar+storage facility for Texas

Listed in the ERCOT interconnection report, the project would combine 495 MW of solar with 495 MW of energy storage in 2021, if completed.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 19, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Ameren files $6.3B grid transformation plan with Missouri regulators

The largest line item in the proposal is a $1.9 billion investment in "smart, reliable grid operations," which covers a wide range of initiatives, including distributed solar and energy storage.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019

As New York utilities file storage plans, interconnection hurdles loom

Utilities laid out "reasonable" timelines for procuring the rights to schedule and dispatch storage by 2022, but NYISO needs to address the long interconnection process, according to industry-focused coalition NY-BEST.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 14, 2019

PGE, NextEra team up for largest wind-solar-storage project in US

The 300 MW wind, 50 MW solar and 30 MW storage project "will be a model for integrating renewable generation and storage" to economically reduce emissions and maintain reliability, PGE CEO Maria Pope said.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2019

Tesla, others question storage hourly requirements, charges in FERC Order 841 compliance plans

As the comment period on FERC Order 841 compliance fillings closed, various utilities and regulators also asked to play larger roles on storage interconnection requirements.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2019

Hawaiian Electric works against the clock to add storage, renewables

While the utility is eager to secure new generation to replace retiring plants, state regulators have hit pause on the process while they consider how to move forward and prepare guidance for the utility.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2019

AEP to buy Sempra Renewables for $1B, including 724 MW wind and battery assets

The acquisition follows parent-company Sempra's announcement last summer that it plans to spin off its nonutility operating renewable assets.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2019

Congressional Democrats push FERC to act on aggregated DERs

Seventeen House members and 18 Senators urged FERC to issue a decision "as soon as possible" that "enables all [distributed energy resources] the opportunity to participate in … wholesale markets."

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 11, 2019

With 288 storage and generation projects lined up, California eases interconnection process

The California ISO Board of Governors approved network upgrade definitions, minimum acceptance criteria and validation procedures for interconnection requests, as a result of a year-long stakeholder process.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2019

Residential solar+storage breaks new ground as Sunrun wins ISO-NE capacity contract

With a strong regulatory bedrock to develop distributed resources in Northeast states, Sunrun's bid represents 20 MW from the solar and battery systems of approximately 5,000 New England customers expected in 2022.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 8, 2019

Propelling clean energy innovation forward: What does the industry need from regulators?

As utilities, corporations and states accelerate their goals, new technology will be necessary to support the clean energy transition, and the government's role in R&D and market incentives will be vital, a new report says.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 7, 2019

Puerto Rico proposes largest solar, storage buildout in US with 20-year draft resource plan

Adding over 2,220 MW of solar and 1,080 MW of battery storage over the next two decades, PREPA would also phase out its use of coal and bunker oil, expensive energy fuels the island imports.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 6, 2019

Massachusetts opens revenue stream to advance solar-plus-storage

Regulators issued orders to clarify net metering and capacity ownership rights for such projects, which are expected to unlock the potential of a commercial storage market in the state.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 5, 2019

Advanced batteries may be only solution for C&I backup power needs: Navigant

The consulting firm expects the annual global market for deploying advanced batteries for critical Infrastructure will reach 9.6 GW by 2027, largely driven by the need for uninterruptible power supplies.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2019

Low prices, not legislation, driving Xcel renewables push for now

Bills in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and other states are not expected to significantly drive capital expenditures in the short term, but will be key to becoming 100% carbon free, analysts say.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 31, 2019

GE restructures renewables business to include solar, storage

The company will move its hybrid renewables and grid solutions work into its division that develops wind and hydro power.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2019

As solar-plus-storage surges, can smart devices help overcome deployment barriers?

As utilities move to reap the benefits of solar-plus-storage, manufacturing and interconnection barriers threaten to impede growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2019

Vermont regulators advance first of 3 Green Mountain Power solar-plus-storage projects

The utility seeks to use these projects to lower regional system costs and forward capacity market costs in the ISO-New England region.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 29, 2019

Corporate clean energy PPAs doubled to 13 GW in 2018: BNEF

Corporate PPAs are driving wind and solar growth, while energy storage isn't yet cost competitive enough to be paired with renewables for those agreements, according to BNEF.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 29, 2019

Consumers Energy begins to experiment with solar-plus-storage

The utility has rolled out the first solar-plus-storage project in Michigan, calling it a "critical part" of the state's energy future.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2019

DistribuTECH: Next-gen smart meter takes grid intelligence to new dimensions

Efforts to implement efficient billing has pushed smart meter innovations over the last couple of years. What will the next wave of smart meters bring the industry?

Jan. 24, 2019

Department of Energy commits $20.5M to spark lithium-ion battery recycling

Secretary Rick Perry recently announced plans for a new R&D center — as well as multiple innovation prizes — to drastically increase recovery rates.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 22, 2019

Minnesota study finds it cheaper to curtail solar than to add storage

A report studies Minnesota's options for 70% renewable penetration and finds surprising results regarding energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2019

VC funding for storage, smart grid and efficiency companies almost doubled last year: Mercom

Companies raised a combined $2.8 billion across the three areas in 2018, compared to $1.5 billion raised in 2017, driven by a steep rise in energy efficiency interest.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2019