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

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

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

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

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