Is grid defection still a threat to the utility business model?

Three studies debate solar-plus-storage economics, but all agree the technology will disrupt the power sector.

By Peter Maloney • April 18, 2017

SoCal Edison, GE complete first hybrid gas-storage turbine

The 10 MW/4.3 MWh battery and gas turbine system will provide fast-start and ramping services, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions in Southern California Edison's service territory.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 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

Despite lack of agreement, New Hampshire groups say solar struggle is 'worth it'

Months of negotiation over a net metering successor failed to produce a settlement, but did reveal ample common ground between utilities and solar advocates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2017

Ice Energy, NRG installing new energy storage solutions for SoCal Edison

The installations on some commercial and industrial buildings is part of Southern California Edison's mammoth 2015 storage procurement.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2017

Maryland passes 30% energy storage tax credit for residential, C&I installations

The bill now goes to Gov. Larry Hogan (R), but passed with more than enough votes this week to override a veto. 

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2017

Wal-Mart taps AMS to install 40 MWh of energy storage at California stores

Advanced Microgrid Solutions will put batteries at 27 of the retail giant's locations, helping reduce peak demand and providing grid services to Southern California Edison. 

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2017

First BTM li-ion battery project approved in New York City

Fire safety concerns had blocked deployment of lithium-ion batteries in New York, despite the city's 100 MWh energy storage mandate. 

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2017

Is battery energy storage at a 'turning point' for US utilities?

Speedy deployments of long-duration storage last year in California could mark a watershed moment for the sector, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2017

'Enabler of the smart city': CPS Energy's CEO on democratizing distributed energy

Electric utilities have a central role to play in spreading the energy technologies that make smart cities possible, Paula Gold-Williams, CEO of San Antonio's municipal utility, told Utility Dive. 

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2017

Vermont bill would direct PUC to draw up energy storage recommendations

Sponsor Rep. Laura Sibilia (I) says she is concerned Vermont could fall behind neighbors like Massachusetts, which is implementing a storage target for utilities. 

By Peter Maloney • April 11, 2017

California PUC approves doubling of SGIP funding, tilted toward storage

Utilities will allocate $83 million annually for three years to help fund customer-sited storage and renewable energy generation.

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2017

North Carolina approves Duke's renewable microgrid project in the Smoky Mountains

The solar and battery microgrid will power a remote communications tower in the national park currently served by an overhead transmission line.  

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2017

How New York is incentivizing utilities to interconnect DERs under REV

Regulators want to reward utilities for better performance on key tasks like DER interconnection — the question is how.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2017

Battery, tech companies urge Congress to include storage in infrastructure plans

The Energy Storage Association joined more than 50 other companies and groups in signing the letter to lawmakers. 

By Peter Maloney • April 6, 2017

Michigan regulators plan EV conference after utility withdraws 800-charger plan

Consumers Energy, car companies and charging station developers will work together this summer to devise a charging plan that works for both the utility and the private market. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2017

Greensmith software updates AEP storage facility to sell frequency regulation

A 14 MWh battery previously only used for backup power was reconfigured to sell into PJM markets. 

By Peter Maloney • April 5, 2017

New NREL report provides missing metric for valuing solar+storage facilities

The report uses NREL's solar cost methodology to identify a single benchmark for paired resources.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2017

Tesla patent application outlines design to scale battery systems to 1 GWh

By isolating small blocks of cells, the company says it could build battery systems that use cells of different types, ages, voltages or chemistries.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2017

Primer: Technology, consumer sentiment push utilities to new business models

The move to a cleaner, more distributed energy system is pushing wholesale changes to how utilities make money and plan their power grids. 

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

The top 5 states for utility grid modernization and business model reform

From expansive sector redesigns to step-by-step DER dockets, states across the nation are rethinking the grid and how utilities make money off it. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 3, 2017

Pushed by REV, ConEd tests new utility business models in New York

The nation's largest city is the proving ground for a slate of REV pilot projects aimed at modernizing operations and diversifying revenue.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

How Connecticut's nuclear bill could open a new front in the plant subsidy debate

A bill to support the Millstone plant would include nuclear facilities in renewable energy solicitations in an attempt to skirt legal challenges facing similar efforts in New York and Illinois. 

By Peter Maloney • April 3, 2017

Lyon Group plans to build the world's biggest solar+storage project in South Australia

The developer said the 330 MW solar storage facility will be paired with a 400 MWh battery system. 

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

How California lawmakers plan to align renewable generation with power demand

Two new bills present distinct approaches to align wind and solar output with the state's electricity load.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2017

Macquarie, CIT close project financing for AMS' 50 MW energy storage fleet

Macquarie bought the projects in August 2016 from Advanced Microgrid Solutions, which will serve as the projects’ asset manager.

By Peter Maloney • March 30, 2017