DOE expands SunShot program after hitting original cost goal 3 years early

The new program aims to cut utility-scale solar costs to $0.03/kWh and boost durability and lifetimes in panels. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2017

Brattle: Regulatory barriers prevent stacking of battery benefits

Even in California's nation-leading storage market, stacking battery benefits still faces regulatory and rate design challenges, a new report finds. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 13, 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

California Dems look to restart CAISO regionalization with 11th hour amendments

With only days left in the state's legislative session, lawmakers are pushing bills that would create a planning process for a full ISO across the western United States. 

By Gavin Bade , Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

Arizona Public Service wants to boost customer storage incentive funding 50%

The utility this month proposed a slate of new energy programs and rates that will help customers conserve energy and control their usage.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2017

Vivint, ChargePoint to pair home solar with EV charging

The companies plan to offer a suite of energy tools, including solar arrays, an EV charger, a home battery and an intelligent energy management system.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

Utilities see benefits in energy storage, even without mandates

Greater operational flexibility, customer savings, frequency response and black start capability were among the advantages cited by utilities in pursuing storage absent any legal requirement.  

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

California energy interests set to square off over Puente natural gas plant

Solar and storage can meet power needs cheaper than outdated capacity analyses suggest, clean energy advocates will tell regulators this week. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2017

Bill to California governor would direct utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

SB 338 would compel utilities to include considerations for peak demand management with storage, efficiency and DERs in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 11, 2017

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

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