S&C Electric to exit storage business

The company has been developing storage systems for a decade, but will now procure storage for its grid projects rather than building that component.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2018

'Year of the grid': DER management takes center stage at DistribuTECH

The distributed energy revolution hinges on the development of new software platforms that can help utilities make sense of a deluge of grid data.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Storage

The proliferation of energy storage in everything from utility-scale batteries to electric vehicles is a driving force in the transition to a cleaner, more distributed power system. This trendline includes the best Utility Dive reporting on this dynamic sector.

By Utility Dive staff

Will the country's first mandatory residential demand charge slow the Massachusetts solar boom?

Opponents of the charge, approved as part of an Eversource rate case, say it could harm the growth of solar and other distributed energy resources by significantly increasing costs for customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2018

Mercom: Battery storage dominated funding in grid edge technologies in H1 2017

A new report shows battery storage, smart grid and efficiency companies attracted $1.03 billion in the first half of last year, compared with $807 million the year before. Much of the increase, however, came from one large infusion of cash into a storage company.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2018

6 months after target adoption, Massachusetts sees energy storage growth, challenges

Hurdles remain in integrating the technology in the state and into the wider ISO New England.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 23, 2018

Audi and Nissan join ranks of automakers making energy storage mainstream

Automakers are looking to extend the life of batteries that are no longer useful in an electric vehicle but have enough juice left to store power for a household or provide residential backup power. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2018

There once was an energy storage system on Nantucket...

When the island's summer population swells, peak energy demand doubles. That's a recipe for disaster in a town dependent on tourism. But energy storage may be the answer.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

California regulators broaden rules for energy storage

The rules are interim, however, and delineate how to evaluate energy storage resources providing multiple services to wholesale markets, distribution grids and other venues. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

Begin with the end in mind: Used and useful utility-integrated energy storage starts with a program approach

The procurement process in an ESS program approach should be deliberately examined with step-by-step methodology to best balance both risk and cost for the utility.  

Jan. 17, 2018

Franklin Energy asks FERC to reverse Idaho decision on PURPA energy storage contracts

The company sought 20-year contracts for four storage facilities on Idaho Power's system, but state regulators said the projects qualify for the new shorter PURPA contract terms since the primary energy source is solar. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

Renewable plus storage bids in Xcel Colorado solicitation could set low-price benchmark

Preliminary results from the company's all-source RFP have been hailed as "really impressive." But a lack of details makes cost comparisons with current benchmarks challenging.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 16, 2018

AES-Siemens joint venture unveils new solar+storage platform

The new energy storage platform will enable solar facilities to sell up to 50% more energy per site, and helps eliminate solar production variability across the day.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2018

Puerto Rico Gov. Rosselló proposes overhaul of energy regulator

The new plan came only days after the Puerto Rico Energy Commission proposed new rules for microgrid development on the island.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • Jan. 10, 2018

Could Florida be the next hot spot for energy storage?

One of the best new markets for energy storage might be the Sunshine State, a bastion of traditional, regulated utilities.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 9, 2018

Predictions 2018: Energy storage growth shows no sign of slowing down

Other trends spurring energy storage growth include an expected boom in electric vehicles, distributed energy resource aggregation and solar-plus-storage in Puerto Rico.   

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 9, 2018

EIA: 700 MW of utility-scale battery capacity installed in US

The total amount of storage makes up just a small fraction of the United States' overall generating capacity, but could increase by 10% this year as more projects are announced.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2018

Xcel solicitation returns 'incredible' renewable energy, storage bids

Bids for wind and solar energy combined with battery storage could be the lowest yet, analysts said on social media. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2018

Florida lawmaker proposes to study solar+storage for grid recovery

The bill would develop a pilot program within Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to "encourage and demonstrate the effectiveness" of distributed energy generation and storage. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2018

New York clean energy proposal seeks 1.5 GW of storage, coal phaseout

The plan also calls for solicitations in 2018 and 2019 for 800 MW of offshore wind and new energy efficiency targets by April.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2018

Energy storage safety set to move forward in 2018 with new fire standards

New York City and the National Fire Protection Association are developing new safety standards, while UL is updating the world's first such requirements.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 2, 2018

Navigant: Energy storage for renewables integration to reach $23B by 2026

Utility-scale and behind-the-meter storage applications are expected to show the strongest growth, with peak shaving and incentive programs driving the latter.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2018

Report: Tesla's Australian battery project steps in after coal units fail

The Hornsdale Power Reserve project has now stepped in twice to maintain grid reliability when a major coal plant unexpectedly dropped offline, according to Australian media reports.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2018

NOPR, nukes and taxes: The top 10 Utility Dive stories of 2017

It's been a frantic year of energy news. Here's a recap of what Utility Dive readers found most important.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 20, 2017

Chasing the Holy Grail of battery storage, scientists test solid state magnesium electrolyte

Scientists at Argonne and Berkeley labs say they have found a compound that could improve battery safety and energy density.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2017

Will batteries and solar have a place in Puerto Rico's reimagined grid?

Reimagining the island's electric grid is an opportunity to modernize, but the need for poles and wires remains, say power sector experts. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017