Despite technological advances, flow batteries struggle against market giant lithium-ion

To compete with li-ion batteries, flow technologies would benefit from economies of scale, according to SSR analysts.

By Peter Maloney • March 14, 2017

PJM Market Monitor: State plant subsidies 'threaten the foundations' of power markets

Once implemented, a series of state subsidies for nuclear plants could make it "virtually impossible" to preserve competitive wholesale power markets, the monitor said. 

By Peter Maloney • March 14, 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

Massachusetts seeks proposals for energy storage demo projects

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center issued a solicitation for energy storage demonstration projects, offering up to $10 million in awards. 

By Peter Maloney • March 13, 2017

Elon Musk: Tesla could solve South Australia's power crisis within 100 days

Tesla is in talks with South Australian officials to install batteries to address power problems stemming from blackouts. 

By Peter Maloney • March 13, 2017

Tesla's dispatchable solar+storage project in Hawaii brought online

The 52 MWh battery project will feed energy into Kauai's grid to meet peak demand in the evening hours.

By Robert Walton , Krysti Shallenberger • March 13, 2017

The art of the compromise: Inside the APS solar rate design settlement

After years of contention, Arizona Public Service and solar interests reached a critical deal on rate design and solar compensation last week. Here's how it happened. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 10, 2017

Storage company Aquion Energy files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Aquion Energy has let go of 80% of its staff, halted manufacturing and is no longer selling its products.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2017

New York PSC directs utilities to deploy 2 or more grid-scale storage projects

Utilities should now be deploying batteries as part of their "normal course of business,” regulators wrote.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2017

California regulators propose doubling funds for Self-Generation Incentive Program

A proposed decision from the CPUC would increase funding for the Self Generation Incentive Program by $249 million over three years. 

By Gavin Bade • March 8, 2017

How ConEd's mobile battery REV demo could build a new storage business model

The company may not break even on a pilot to deploy mobile battery systems to stressed parts of the grid, but sees the project as a test of new market models for utilities and private vendors alike. 

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2017

GTM: Long-duration battery boom spurs over 300 MWh of storage additions in 2016

The Aliso Canyon methane leak marked a "turning point" for the industry, driven by an increase in longer-duration batteries.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2017

Report: Lack of mandates, incentives holding solar+storage back in New York City

Ancillary service rules in the NYISO market were also listed as an impediment to battery deployment in the new report from CUNY and NREL. 

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2017

Tesla quietly halts sales of its DC Powerwall 2 outside US

In Europe and Australia, Tesla will only offer an AC version of its residential battery, which includes a built-in inverter. 

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2017

ZEN Energy of Australia proposes 50 MW storage project to counter blackouts

With a large battery system in place, rolling outages in South Australia last month "would not have happened," company leaders told government officials. 

By Peter Maloney • March 3, 2017

Commodities giant Vitol taps NEC to build 50 MW UK storage project for National Grid

NEC will build two battery facilities with a combined capacity of 50 MW, 35 MWh to provide frequency response to the U.K. utility. 

By Peter Maloney • March 3, 2017

E.ON to build nearly 20 MW of battery storage at Texas wind farms

The two energy storage projects will be sited at E.ON’s Pyron and Inadale wind farms and are slated to come online by the end of 2017. 

By Peter Maloney • March 2, 2017

SimpliPhi Power, CivicSolar team up to target California's behind-the-meter storage market

The companies plan to take advantage of the re-opening of California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program this April. 

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

ConEd, NRG partner on 4 MWh mobile battery storage demo for REV docket

The mobile battery system will allow ConEd to deploy storage to different locations depending on system needs. 

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

Kentucky utilities team up with EPRI for battery storage testing

A 1 MW battery sited at a Mercer County coal plant will allow the utilities to evaluate the potential benefits of utility-scale battery technologies.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2017

Primus Power begins production of 5-hour flow battery

The company says the flow battery will be used by Puget Sound Energy as an alternative to distribution system upgrades.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 28, 2017

Younicos to install 3 MW storage system on Kodiak Island, Alaska

The new lithium-ion batteries will replace a lead-acid system installed in 2012. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 28, 2017

FERC proposed storage rulemaking draws familiar concerns over jurisdiction, access

Sector players largely support storage in wholesale markets, but are wary of double compensation for batteries and creeping FERC authority.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2017

California regulators recommend approval of 1,040 MW gas plant from AES

The Alamitos gas plant will displace less efficient generation and help integrate more renewables, the California Energy Commission said in a proposed decision.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 27, 2017

NREL picks RES to test storage applications for wind power

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will use multiple applications of RES’ 1 MW, 1 MWh RESolve system to test frequency regulation and renewable energy integration.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 27, 2017

SDG&E, AES bring world's largest lithium ion battery storage online in California

The 30 MW, 120 MWh storage facility in Escondido and a smaller, 30 MWh battery array were part of the utility's Aliso Canyon storage solicitation. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 24, 2017