National Grid plans to install a 48 MWh battery storage system on Nantucket

The Massachusetts island is currently experiencing a rise in power demand and aging diesel generators, which provide partial backup power. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017

Getting on top of the next wave in energy storage: The utility-integrated era

Why is energy storage so important to managing ever-growing levels of distributed energy resources?

Nov. 9, 2017

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

Heating and A/C company Trane acquires ice energy storage company CALMAC

Previously, CALMAC focused on building owners by using its technology to control high demand charges during peak usage from air conditioners. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2017

Energy storage gets a bigger seat at the utility planning table

The growing inclusion of storage in integrated resource plans is, to some extent, the next step in the evolution of the technology at utility-scale.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

Uncertainty reigns in renewables sector as tax package, NOPR loom

At the RPS Summit in Arlington, Virgina, experts said the renewables sector is closely watching developments from a new tax reform package and the DOE's cost recovery rule. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 7, 2017

Energy storage could hit 35 GW by 2025, new white paper says

The technology only makes up 0.5 GW of market share in the United States. But that's set to change, according to a new white paper.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

AEP to invest $1.8B in renewable energy

The utility also plans to invest $18 billion in T&D and boasts a 3,570 MW pipeline of wind and solar projects over the next seven years. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

Moody's: Regulated utilities stable, but unregulated power sector outlook remains negative

Potential market reforms, such as the Energy Department's cost recovery proposal, could bolster coal and nuclear in the competitive markets, but delay closing uneconomic plants. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017

House GOP tax package boosts nukes, slashes wind, EV credits

The long awaited tax package includes an estimated $6 billion credit for nuclear power but would cut the wind PTC and end incentives for electric vehicles.  

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017

Despite earnings tumble, Tesla deploys 110 MWh of storage in Q3

The company said it is on track to deliver its 100 MW, 129 MWh energy storage project in South Australia, which it promised to build in 100 days.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017

Portland General to spend up to $100M for 39 MW of energy storage

The utility's plan will help it comply with Oregon's energy storage mandate, requiring major utilities to deploy a minimum of 5 MWh of energy storage by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

Lazard: Falling clean energy costs don't yet spell the end of baseload generation

The firm said alternative energy systems alone "will not be capable of meeting the baseload generation needs of a developed economy for the foreseeable future."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2017

PNM issues RFP for 456 MW of resources, pushing for renewables and storage

The utility announced earlier this year that it plans to phase out coal-fired generation completely, replacing it with natural gas, storage, solar and its stake in the Palo Verde nuclear facility. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

SoCal Edison looks to decarbonize grid, transportation in new climate plan

The utility devised a framework that would help California meet its goal to slash emissions 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2017

Is solar+storage eligible for net metering in Massachusetts? Tesla and others want to know

The state could become the first to provide comprehensive guidance on pairing energy storage with solar installations.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 31, 2017

Technology, markets and contracts — oh my! The keys to profiting from California's duck curve

California policymakers look to address renewables over-generation through smart investments in supply- and demand-side resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2017

Uptown Funk: Where will NYC get its peak demand capacity?

Few new peak providers have come online for the city because short-term market rules don’t offer investors the certainty they need.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2017

PSE&G brings solar+storage online for resilience at New Jersey wastewater plant

Public Service Electric & Gas now has three solar-plus-storage systems online in New Jersey — all aimed at providing power during extended grid outages. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2017

Tesla's first Puerto Rico battery project is a microgrid at a children's hospital

Small renewable energy and battery-based projects are being deployed on the island while work continues to rebuild the bulk power grid.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Hydro-Quebec, DOE to explore collaboration on storage, EVs

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Canadian utility may partner to accelerate development of next-generation battery materials, processes and methodologies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Storage, smart grid and energy efficiency companies see jump in VC funding: Mercom Capital

The technologies are on track to beat the $1.3 billion secured in 2016 after a 35% year-over-year increase in funds raised through the first nine months of 2017.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2017

Storage or generation? AEP case could help answer the question in Texas

The utility proposed two storage projects in North Texas to defer transmission and distribution upgrades. But opponents worry the projects would distort market signals in ERCOT and violate the market's competitive rules. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 24, 2017

Hawaii expands rooftop solar, storage options for residential customers

A “Smart Export” program offers a new compensation option for customers installing the distributed energy resources.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2017

Greening the ramp: California looks to carbon-free resources to combat the 'duck curve'

A new law directs utilities to plan non-emitting resources to serve peak demand, sparking new debates about resource adequacy and the future of gas generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2017

New Florida muni solar program cuts NEM rates, includes battery storage incentives

Jacksonville Electric Authority's new program seeks to procure 250 MW of utility-scale solar and provide battery storage rebates, while trimming the net metering rate for new customers to equal the utility's fuel rate. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2017