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

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

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

GTM: More than 21 states pack energy storage pipelines with over 20 MW

There are more than 10 GW of projects in the U.S.'s energy storage pipeline, according to GTM Research.

By Peter Maloney • March 29, 2017

Why utilities don't think Trump will stop the clean energy transition

The next generation utility business model will rely on a cleaner, more distributed energy system regardless of what happens in Washington, according to our new 2017 State of the Electric Utility Survey.

By Gavin Bade • March 28, 2017

Mercedes eyes North American market to get ahead of energy storage curve

The CEO of Mercedes' new North American energy storage unit lays out his strategy in an interview with Utility Dive. 

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2017

CAISO notches record, serving 56.7% of demand with renewable energy in one day

Solar and wind power combined also hit a peak on the same day by serving 49.2% of demand.

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2017

IHS: More global storage could save industry hundreds of billions of dollars

Increasing energy storage in the global electric grid could save hundreds of billions of dollars, according to a new report from IHS Markit.

By Peter Maloney • March 28, 2017

Old German coal mine will be converted into a hydro storage plant

The 200 MW hydro pumped storage project would store renewable energy by using wind and solar power to pump water into a storage reservoir that could be released when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun shining.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

German company to transform aluminium smelters into 'virtual battery'

The virtual battery would be able to provide 1.12 GWh of energy capacity.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

In search of a quorum: 3 potential FERC nominees bring deep business and energy backgrounds

The potential candidates for three open spots at FERC would restore a quorum and possibly align the agency more closely with big business interests. 

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

'Million rate bases': TFC makes the case for a new IOU business model in Hawaii

A fledgling holding company wants utilities to connect their customers with distributed resources — and earn a rate of return for doing so.

By Gavin Bade • March 24, 2017

11 New York microgrid projects snap up $11M in state funds

Eleven projects advanced to the second stage of New York's microgrid competition to conduct more detailed engineering and business analysis. 

By Peter Maloney • March 24, 2017

Hawaii PUC chair lifts lid on NextEra rejection, ongoing DER dockets

Chairman Randy Iwase says he has "no regrets" over his decision to reject NextEra's proposed merger with Hawaiian Electric Co. 

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2017

HECO partners with University of Hawaii for energy storage pilot project

The project will test how storage can help the university save money by reducing or avoiding charges associated with peak demand. 

By Peter Maloney • March 23, 2017

Hawaii's energy storage tax credit bill fails to pass out of committee

But a Hawaii Senate committee is set to hear a bill proposing a cash rebate for energy storage today.  

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2017

Fire safety issues dog battery storage growth in New York City, slowing deployment

A lack of consensus on fire safety codes for battery storage is limiting deployment for storage projects in the Big Apple. 

By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2017

California bills propose 'clean peak' standard to boost renewables deployment

The proposed legislation would help California meet its aggressive greenhouse gas and renewable energy goals. 

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2017

Have California's efforts to value distributed resources hit a roadblock?

Just about the only thing parties in the state's DER valuation working group can agree on is that the tool they developed is "not yet ready."

By Herman K. Trabish • March 21, 2017

EDF Renewable Energy wades into the C&I DER space with new business unit

The company created a business unit focusing on distributed solar and storage projects of up to 30 MW for C&I and utility customers. 

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2017

SDG&E, Sumitomo partner to install 2 MW flow battery

The flow battery system is part of a 4-year pilot program as SDG&E tests its use for providing voltage frequency, power outage support and shifting energy demand.

By Peter Maloney • March 20, 2017