Portland General to spend up to $100M for 39 MW of energy storage

The utility's plan will help it comply with Oregon's energy storage mandate, requiring major utilities to deploy a minimum of 5 MWh of energy storage by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

Lazard: Falling clean energy costs don't yet spell the end of baseload generation

The firm said alternative energy systems alone "will not be capable of meeting the baseload generation needs of a developed economy for the foreseeable future."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

PNM issues RFP for 456 MW of resources, pushing for renewables and storage

The utility announced earlier this year that it plans to phase out coal-fired generation completely, replacing it with natural gas, storage, solar and its stake in the Palo Verde nuclear facility. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

SoCal Edison looks to decarbonize grid, transportation in new climate plan

The utility devised a framework that would help California meet its goal to slash emissions 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2017

Is solar+storage eligible for net metering in Massachusetts? Tesla and others want to know

The state could become the first to provide comprehensive guidance on pairing energy storage with solar installations.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 31, 2017

Technology, markets and contracts — oh my! The keys to profiting from California's duck curve

California policymakers look to address renewables over-generation through smart investments in supply- and demand-side resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2017

Uptown Funk: Where will NYC get its peak demand capacity?

Few new peak providers have come online for the city because short-term market rules don’t offer investors the certainty they need.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2017

PSE&G brings solar+storage online for resilience at New Jersey wastewater plant

Public Service Electric & Gas now has three solar-plus-storage systems online in New Jersey — all aimed at providing power during extended grid outages. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2017

Tesla's first Puerto Rico battery project is a microgrid at a children's hospital

Small renewable energy and battery-based projects are being deployed on the island while work continues to rebuild the bulk power grid.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Hydro-Quebec, DOE to explore collaboration on storage, EVs

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Canadian utility may partner to accelerate development of next-generation battery materials, processes and methodologies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Storage, smart grid and energy efficiency companies see jump in VC funding: Mercom Capital

The technologies are on track to beat the $1.3 billion secured in 2016 after a 35% year-over-year increase in funds raised through the first nine months of 2017.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2017

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

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