Behind-the-meter storage has record quarter, GTM-ESA report says

Despite the large uptick in one category, the overall number of new storage deployments declined from the first to the second quarter.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 8, 2017

Choosing the right grid infrastructure in the wake of the DOE grid study

Rocky Mountain Institute's Mark Dyson says the grid study failed to highlight the opportunities to boost resiliency with distributed energy resources. 

By Mark Dyson • Sept. 7, 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

Idaho PUC says storage projects only eligible for 2-year PURPA contract

Franklin Energy sought 20-year PURPA contracts for four storage facilities, but regulators said those resources should be granted two-year contracts. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2017

Fuel cells get $10M funding boost from DOE

Some 16 research projects will address cost and reliability issues with solid oxide fuel cells, which DOE calls ideal for carbon capture.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2017

PJM mulls capacity repricing strategies to tackle subsidy programs

Issues under debate include whether repricing should be triggered only when a subsidy occurs in a capacity delivery year and if retriggering would apply to carbon dioxide pricing schemes.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2017

Arizona Public Service goes beyond LEDs with new efficiency proposals

Priorities include incentives for smart thermostats, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, energy storage and water heater timers.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2017

Massachusetts utilities take divergent approaches to grid modernization

The state Attorney General's Office gave a qualified endorsement to National Grid's plan while roundly criticizing Eversource's plan. But approval of any plan is going to require a lot more work.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2017

Texas cooperative to build solar-plus-storage project in Liberia

Bandera Electric Cooperative in Texas is building the 70 kW solar-plus-storage project in Totota.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

Is the bloom off the RegD rose for battery storage in PJM?

Changes in PJM's frequency regulation have soured the market for battery storage there.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

South Australia calls for storage, renewable energy projects

A portion of the Australian province's $150 million (AUD) Renewable Technology Fund is already earmarked for Tesla's 129 MWh storage project. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

SEPA: US utilities added 257 MWh of storage in 2016

California, Ohio and Indiana led the way with storage installations in 2016, according to a new Smart Electric Power Alliance report.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

Tesla, Vestas pair up to develop ways to combine storage and wind

The deal moves the market for Tesla's batteries beyond its electric vehicles and Powerwall batteries designed for use in homes and businesses.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

DOE grid study will shift and accelerate energy regulatory initiatives

R Street Institute's Devin Hartman analyzes the DOE's grid study's impact on regulatory agencies and nationwide energy initatives. 

By Devin Hartman • Aug. 31, 2017

New Jersey regulators to study impacts of widespread EV adoption

State regulators want to examine what infrastructure developments can be expected in the coming years, as well as what goals should be established.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2017

Resilience or flexibility? DOE's grid report lays bare the struggle between past and future

Energy Innovation's Mike O'Boyle analyzes how the DOE grid study's recommendations could help flexibility.

By Mike O'Boyle • Aug. 30, 2017

How Ocracoke Island's microgrid kept (most of) the lights on during last month's outage

At the height of the summer season, a construction accident severed the island's power. While backup generation failed, most residents still had power.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2017

What you need to know about microgrids

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By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 29, 2017

Microgrids are poised to grow as large utilities see a growth vehicle

These facilities could be going mainstream as big utilities ramp up C&I services. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2017

Case study: APS invests in microgrid as Phoenix metropolitan area grows

The 63 MW microgrid can swiftly pivot into operating on solar and storage. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 28, 2017

When the power goes out, sometimes the lights stay on

Microgrids are best known for the backup generation they provide, but the evolving electric grid means there are many more uses.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2017

NREL: 5 million commercial customers could benefit from BTM storage

The study identifies areas where customers have the greatest potential to benefit from investing in battery storage.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2017

DOE grid study sparks mixed reviews from power sector

The study's findings did not go against the broad industry consensus, as some feared they might. But the study still drew mixed reactions and disappointment, especially with its recommendations.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 25, 2017

Battery storage startup Romeo Power secures $30M in seed funding

California-based Romeo Power was founded by engineers from SpaceX, Tesla, Apple, Amazon and Samsung. The company will begin shipping battery packs next year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2017

RGGI states propose to cut power plant emissions another 30%

The proposal would set the regional cap at 75.1 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2021, which will decline by 2.275 million tons of CO2 in each succeeding year. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 25, 2017

NREL: Solar-plus-storage could be competitive by 2020

The findings are specific to a variety of circumstances, including how the storage system is coupled to the solar arrays and the overall degree of solar penetration.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 24, 2017