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

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

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

DOE releases highly anticipated grid study, faults natural gas for baseload retirements

The study found cheap natural gas to be the greatest driver of plant retirements — and most notably, did not find renewables to be a threat to grid reliability. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 23, 2017

California nets $640M for greenhouse gas fund in latest cap and trade auction

All allowances in the state's greenhouse cap and trade auction are sold above minimum prices.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 23, 2017

Alevo's bankruptcy illustrates the pitfalls newcomers face in energy storage markets

Stationary energy storage is a commodity market, and it is not kind to new entrants.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2017

California utilities plot ways to prep grid for coming EV boom

Utilities are rolling out comprehensive pilot programs to boost EV deployment to meet the state's ambitious transportation goals and leverage grid benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 22, 2017

Battery storage manufacturer Alevo files for bankruptcy

The company cited "significant production challenges" and "insufficient revenue to continue operations" as primary factors. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2017

Los Angeles muni speeds deployment of 20 MW battery storage project

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power accelerated the timeline for a proposed storage project to come online in 2018 instead of 2020. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 21, 2017

Grid modernization efforts heat up in Q2, but more are on the way

The latest quarterly report from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center sheds light on policy debates surrounding efforts to boost grid reliability and new technologies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2017

Bloom claims largest fuel cell data center deployment with Equinix

The deal, which is between Southern Co., Equinix and Bloom Energy, will provide 37 MW of power through a phased installation that begins this year and stretches through 2019. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2017

New Mexico regulators amend resource plan to include energy storage

The amendment separates energy storage from demand response in the integrated resource planning rules.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 15, 2017

Platts: US has more than 550 MW of grid-connected energy storage in Q2

Almost half of that amount (277 MW) is used for frequency regulation, though utilities are eyeing storage for other applications. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 11, 2017

ESNA 2017: How storage enables SCE to avoid siting new gas plants

Southern California Edison President Ron Nichols says battery advancements are reshaping how the utility thinks about generating resources new and old. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 10, 2017

Sierra Club challenges Oklahoma's electric vehicle fees

Earlier this year, the state established a $100 fee for the purchase of an electric vehicle and $30 for the purchase of a hybrid. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2017

Rhode Island clean energy gets boost as governor signs bills

The bills streamline the permitting process for solar projects and extend the state's renewable energy growth program, among other steps.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 10, 2017

APS to deploy 8 MWh of battery storage to defer transmission investment

The utility says the project demonstrates how batteries can offset the need for costly, long-term infrastructure projects. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 9, 2017

Stem, CPower will pair DR, energy storage for dispatchable virtual power plants

The partnership will give utilities access to dispatchable virtual power plants, with both companies eyeing California as one of the first markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 9, 2017

California issues RFP for $44.7M in microgrid grants

The solicitation focuses on the deployment of microgrids that will help the state transition to a grid with more distributed energy resources.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 8, 2017

Valuing storage: A closer look at the Tucson Electric solar-plus-storage PPA

Solar-plus-storage is becoming more cost competitive, but a closer look shows the numbers aren't as simple as advertised.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 8, 2017