Utilities in hot water: Realizing the benefits of grid-integrated water heaters

Water heaters offer storage capabilities at a fraction of the cost of batteries. The challenge is getting everyone a piece of the returns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 20, 2017

Genbright, Ice Energy team up for non-wires alternative storage on Nantucket

The thermal storage project aims to provide 1 MW of peak load reduction to avoid the need for a new undersea transmission line.

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 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

Navigant sees hybrid storage installations growing to 2.1 GW by 2026

Battery-battery and battery-capacitor combinations are expected to dominate the hybrid market for the next decade. 

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2017

Powin and Hecate to install storage projects totaling 52.8 MWh in Canada

The projects, at two sites in Ontario, are all contracted with Canada's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) as part of its long-term energy plan.

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2017

Nevada governor vetoes popular RPS, community solar bills

The renewable portfolio standard would have mandated 40% renewables by 2030 and included a carveout for energy storage. 

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2017

SMUD's holistic DER planning process could set new standard for utilities

Even solar advocates are praising the distributed resource planning done by Sacramento's municipal utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 16, 2017

A new study defends ARPA-E in wake of Trump's proposed budget cuts

A congressionally mandated study found the Department of Energy's APRA-E secured $1.25 billion in private funding and 74 patents so far. 

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2017

Illinois researchers are trying to create a self-healing battery

The researchers published a study that says their experimental technology made it possible for a lithium ion battery to retain 80% of its initial capacity after 400 charging cycles.

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2017

Massachusetts bill would compel utilities to consider non-wires alternatives

Under H. 1725, utilities would have to submit any plans for system upgrades to a newly created Grid Modernization Board, which would evaluate the viability of NWAs.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • June 14, 2017

Energy storage hits record growth in Q1 2017, but slowdown likely

Energy storage deployment grew nearly 1,000% in Q1 2017. But a new GTM Research report says that pace will probably not last the rest of the year. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2017

SaltX, Aalborg team up to develop CSP project with storage

A prototype using SaltX’s EnerStore technology is scheduled to be built later this year with the aim of securing a commercial pilot plant in 2018.

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2017

US could lag on battery research if Trump's proposed budget clears, researchers warn

Budget cuts to the Department of Energy could result in an outflow of U.S. research talent to countries with better-funded programs, such as China, Japan and South Korea. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2017

Wordwide appetite for power sector M&A is rising, new reports find

An EY survey says 59% of power and utility CEOs expect to pursue an M&A deal this year.

By Peter Maloney • June 12, 2017

LG subsidiary will install 40 MW of batteries on Guam

The two storage facilities are expected to help reduce intermittent power outages and integrate more solar energy for the U.S. territory. 

By Peter Maloney • June 8, 2017

Duke files for grid modernization rider in Ohio, proposes 10 MW storage pilot

The battery project would be located to allow it to provide ancillary services to the grid and backup power to critical infrastructure.

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2017

Maryland, Hawaii turn to storage incentives as state markets gain momentum

A new GTM Research report examines Hawaii and Maryland as examples of a trend in state energy storage incentives.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2017

California Senate passes bill for residential energy storage incentives

The new storage incentives would be modeled after the California Solar Initiative and provide an alternative to the Self-Generation Incentive Program. 

By Peter Maloney • June 5, 2017

EIA: Batteries, pumped storage, 'other' renewables make up 4% of US capacity

Hydroelectric pumped storage still dominates the Energy Information Administration's "other" generation category, but batteries, flywheels and smaller renewable energy fuels are catching up. 

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2017

Stem tapped by Austin Energy for up to 1MWh of aggregated energy storage

The partnership is part of Austin Energy's SHINES grant from the Energy Department, which assists in integration of renewables and distributed energy. 

By Peter Maloney • June 2, 2017

Nevada Gov. Sandoval signs storage, electric vehicle bills

A measure that would resurrect retail net metering is still being considered by the Nevada Senate, however. 

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2017

More than 30 states embrace grid modernization, new policy tracker finds

A new quarterly report from the folks who brought you "50 States of Solar" aims to chronicle grid modernization initiatives across the U.S.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2017

Younicos, Austin Energy sign deal for 1.75 MW, 3.2 MWh energy storage system

The project is part of the Department of Energy’s Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar PV program. 

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2017

Fuel cell developer snags $3M in ARPA-E funding

The Department of Energy has slowed research funding, but FuelCell Energy's announcement is a sign some investments are still moving ahead.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2017

How can Tucson Electric get solar + storage for 4.5¢/kWh?

Subsidies and aggressive pricing strategies are key to the stunning Arizona PPA price, analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • May 30, 2017

How water can save solar: Using bulk storage to flatten the duck

While batteries are making progress toward providing low cost energy storage, bulk storage facilities are currently the best suited technologies for solving the Duck Curve.

By Charles Janecek, Dave Cherney and Mark Repsher • May 30, 2017