Spotlight: 6 key issues driving the utility sector today

The industry is undergoing a fundamental transition as it moves away from a centralized, baseload-focused past to a more distributed, renewable future.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 15, 2018

California strives to nix its natural gas habit without letting the lights go out

The state relies on natural gas for reliability, but won't reach its 100% zero emissions goal without looking to alternatives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Generation: Despite headwinds, natural gas reliance set to grow in much of US

Gas-fired generation has been called a bridge to a renewable future, but the length of the bridge depends on where it is.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 15, 2018

Hawaiian Electric plans 7 solar+storage projects, adding 260 MW solar

The projects, currently in contract negotiations, are the result of an "ambitious, expedited procurement effort" launched in February, said the utility.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2018

Duke Energy to spend $500M on battery storage in next 15 years

Duke Energy is planning a large battery investment in the Carolinas, and on Monday asked state regulators to approve a solar project as well.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2018

DOE energy storage grants look to the day when renewables rule the grid

DOE program aims at low cost, long duration storage to meet grid needs when renewable penetration rises above 50%.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2018

Are regulators hindering EV acceleration?

Utilities and regulators are starting to scale up charging infrastructure, but are finding it takes private vendor and utility "coopetition" to build the interoperable EV charging networks needed to satisfy drivers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2018

Montana case could set FERC precedent for paired storage treatment under PURPA

A utility and developer are battling at FERC over whether wind-plus-storage facilities qualify under the federal law, which compels utilities to purchase power from small renewable generators. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 9, 2018

Proposed Pepco substation highlights DC's grid modernization battle

Pepco's proposed substation faces pushback from district residents and environmentalists as the utility looks to modernize the capital's grid in response to changing demand and population growth. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2018

Brattle: Nevada could cost-effectively deploy 1 GW of energy storage by 2030

The state is revamping the planning process for its utilities, and the Public Utilities Commission is considering establishing an energy storage target.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2018

Electric utilities are working on a new frontier that promises to provide consumers with unprecedented energy choices

For the last fifteen years, HomeServe has helped homeowners protect against the expense and inconvenience of gas line, electrical, HVAC and other home emergencies by providing affordable coverage, with no deductibles, and quality repair service by local, licensed and insured technicians.

Oct. 4, 2018

Coal lobby pleased as Trump nominates ally McNamee to FERC

The Department of Energy official is expected to align closer with White House priorities than former Commissioner Robert Powelson, who stepped down in August. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Oct. 4, 2018

Connecticut agencies say Millstone 'at risk' as Dominion seeks boost in clean energy RFP

If the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority agrees Dominion's Millstone nuclear plant is 'at risk,' it could receive above-market rates in Connecticut's solicitation for zero emission resources.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 3, 2018

Ahead of FERC storage order deadline, new rules begin to take shape in PJM

PJM Interconnection's straw proposal gives a glimpse into how energy storage might participate more in wholesale markets.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2018

9 solar and storage executives share utility wish lists

From sharing system data to opening grid plans to DERs, distributed energy vendors have a long list of priorities for utilities to address.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 2, 2018

Johnson Controls, ConEd subsidiary partner to grow energy storage

The joint venture makes Consolidated Edison Solutions the exclusive provider of energy storage to Johnson Controls customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2018

True Value: To get to tomorrow's grid, DER grid services must be compensated right today

At Solar Power International 2018, the solar-plus-storage industry advanced new possibilities for the power system regarding storage and distributed resources, but also confronted new questions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2018

New solar hybrid combines energy storage with record system efficiency

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Saudi Arabia say they have developed a device that could help electrify remote areas.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2018

PSEG unveils 6-year clean energy plan, spending $2.8B on energy efficiency

The $4 billion plan includes investments in energy storage, smart meters and electric vehicle infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2018

'Not your grandma's DER': Distributed resources modernize, prove value to grid

Portfolios of DER are finally operating and showing how customer-sited resources can be of great value to utilities and system operators.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 27, 2018

Nevada approves 4-part plan to integrate more DER

The plans garnered support from clean energy advocates ahead of the state's ballot initiatives to spur renewable energy growth and to do away with regulated utility monopolies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2018

The top 3 headaches for behind-the-meter C&I storage

Executives working on energy storage deployment in the commercial and industrial market sound off on recent trends and changes in the sector, including the biggest difficulties for BTM.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 26, 2018

As residential energy storage booms, LG enters market with expandable battery

The company will offer a 5 kW AC-coupled system for homes where solar panels are already installed, and a 7.6 kW DC-coupled system for new installations.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2018

Bipartisan senators ask treasury secretary to expand storage tax credit eligibility

The IRS ruled this year that storage projects paired with solar systems that met internal investment tax credit qualification would also be eligible for the credit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 21, 2018

Sempra to sell $1.54B solar, storage assets to Con Edison

The sale is the first part of a multiphase, portfolio-optimization initiative for Sempra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 21, 2018