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

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

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

Vestas, Windlab to launch world's first hybrid wind, solar and storage project in Australia

The 60.2 MW hybrid project in Queensland will feature 43.2 MW of wind turbines, 15 MW of solar panels and a 2 MW, 4 MWh lithium-ion battery.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2017

AEP, Greensmith team up for storage+hydro project in Virginia

It will be one of the first new energy storage systems since PJM’s adoption of new frequency regulation signals and requirements for regulation service.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2017

Enel is looking for energy storage acquisitions, CEO tells Bloomberg

Enel CEO Starace tells Bloomberg energy storage is becoming "commercially viable," but it's unclear where the company sees the biggest market opportunities.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 19, 2017

Tight lithium market likely to ease up in near term, BNEF says

Demand for lithium, a key component of the batteries that dominate today's storage market, has led to soaring prices for the mineral.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 18, 2017

AES: Batteries helped keep lights on in Dominican Republic during Hurricane Maria

The company says its battery arrays were able to provide critical services to power plants, freeing them up to operate optimally during the storms.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2017

Energy storage will disrupt transmission and distribution investments

Energy storage systems that lead to the deferral of T&D upgrades allow for a more efficient deployment of capital to meet evolving grid needs and can enable the development of new business models.

By Alex Eller • Oct. 17, 2017

California allocates $55M for energy storage in low income neighborhoods

The California Public Utilities Commission assistance program is providing 25% of the funds collected by the state’s Self Generation Incentive Program.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2017

California utilities finding their way on renewables integration

High levels of renewables can make utilities look good but also strain their systems, with potential solutions requiring vetting by regulators.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 16, 2017

Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging

Utilities are offering new community solar customer segments with no upfront costs and combining it with demand response and storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 16, 2017

Sonnen plans solar+storage virtual power plant in Arizona home development

Mandalay Homes has partnered with Germany's Sonnen to install smart residential energy storage systems in a new Arizona community.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2017

Washington utilities need to consider storage in resource planning, regulators say

The state utility regulators issued a policy statement outlining expectations for utilities to invest in and incorporate storage into resource planning.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 13, 2017

California Gov. Brown signs bill directing utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

The new law, SB 338, requires utilities to develop carbon-free alternatives to gas generation for meeting peak demand in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 12, 2017

A bipartisan view on modernizing the US electric grid

Congress must incentivize power industry innovations yielding cleaner and more customized energy services, the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives write.

By Robert E. Latta, Jerry McNerney • Oct. 11, 2017

Hawaiian Electric takes first steps to utility-scale commercial energy storage

The utility has big plans for the technology, but wants to see lower costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

Hurricane Nate takes out power to 60K in Southeast

The Category 1 storm made landfall twice in the northern part of the Gulf Coast, slamming Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and leaving more than 100,000 in the dark at its peak. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 9, 2017

Massachusetts starts inquiry into energy storage eligibility for net metering

Regulators will also examine the qualification of net metering facilities to bid into ISO-New England’s forward capacity market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

Updated: Illinois Power Agency seeks comments on new procurement rules

IPA is seeking comment on revisions to net metering policies, a new rebate for smart inverters for photovoltaic projects and new compliance obligations for Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Puente gas plant should not be approved, California energy committee says

A California Energy Commission committee said the proposed NRG Energy project would spark "significant unmitigated environmental effects" and fail to align with several policies and laws. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

Elon Musk says Tesla can help rebuild Puerto Rico's grid. Governor says 'let's talk.'

Elon Musk issued another Twitter challenge saying his company could rebuild the island's decimated grid with solar-plus-storage systems. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

California grid operator urges less fossil-fuel use in new report

The decline of gas-fired generation, decentralizing electrical service and regional coordination are among the eight trends identified by CAISO.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017