Third time's the charm? Inside Hawaiian Electric's new, new plan to get to 100% renewables

Stakeholders say the third edition of HECO's Power Supply Improvement Plan is a real improvement, but question its approach to DERs and $26.5 billion price tag.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 18, 2017

Italian utility company buys energy storage developer Demand Energy

Demand Energy focuses on behind-the-meter storage and has carried out two dozen projects thus far. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 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

Renewables, efficiency dominate robust job growth in energy sector

The solar and wind industries experienced the strongest growth, but the sector faces a number of workforce challenges — including retirements, skills gaps and a lack of diversity.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 17, 2017

Why surging lithium prices haven't stopped cost declines for battery energy storage

Lithium is one of the hottest commodities in the market today, but analysts see a muted effect on battery costs.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 17, 2017

Battery storage startup secures $6M for lead-acid development

Storage startup Gridtential is rethinking how traditional lead-acid batteries are structured for lower-cost storage systems. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2017

Samsung SDI unveils fast charging EV battery at Detroit show

Samsung SDI has introduced an electric vehicle battery with a 600 kilometer (372 mile) range that can charge in 20 minutes.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2017

Younicos finishes 2016 with 75 MW in storage contracts

But how many of those contracts are signed is unclear. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 10, 2017

A silver bullet? Inside FERC's landmark energy storage rulemaking

Federal regulators are tackling ways to open wholesale markets to energy storage. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 10, 2017

Hawaii co-op signs deal for solar+storage project at 11¢/kWh

AES will pair a 20 MW, 100 MWh battery system with a 28 MW solar array to deliver dispatchable generation to the Kauai Island Electric Cooperative. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 10, 2017

Nissan hints at release of EV with vehicle-to-grid capabilities

The automaker teased the release of a new Leaf plug-in EV this week at the Consumer Electronics Show, but offered few details. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 10, 2017

Navigant: Solar-plus-storage microgrid adoption 'more than just a fad'

The firm's most recent microgrid tracker identified nearly 1,700 projects worldwide, with more than half in North America. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2017

San Diego gauges interest in 500 MW pumped storage project

The City of San Diego and the San Diego County Water Authority issued a joint request for letters of interest for the project last week. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2017

In new QER, Moniz leaves path for Perry to follow at DOE

The new Quadrennial Energy Review lays out more than 70 recommendations for a cleaner, more secure energy system. How will the Trump administration respond?

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 9, 2017

Oregon PUC release guidelines for energy storage mandate

Under the law, utilities must have a minimum of 5 MWh of energy storage in service by 2020. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 6, 2017

Predictions 2017: 5 takes on what the new year will bring for renewable energy

More net metering debates and even higher corporate demand for wind and solar are on tap for 2017, according to sector insiders.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 5, 2017

Tesla Gigafactory begins mass battery cell production

By 2018, the Nevada factory will produce 35 GWh/year of lithium-ion battery cells.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2017

Predictions 2017: 8 sector insiders on what's next for power markets and regulation

Utility executives and analysts expect state clean energy policies and wholesale market changes to take center stage in the year to come.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 5, 2017

Predictions 2017: What the new year will bring for demand-side management

From mobile engagement to marijuana efficiency efforts and storage-as-a-service, sector insiders have bold predictions for the year ahead.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 4, 2017

The worst of times? The future of climate action in the Trump era

A renewable energy boom won’t be enough to stem the tide of global warming, but new decarbonization opportunities could be just around the corner.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 4, 2017

A storage bubble? High investment in nascent industry sows fears of a battery bust

Market reforms and continued innovation will be needed to see storage reach its potential, experts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 3, 2017

Ormat moves into storage, demand management with $35M Viridity acquisition

The geothermal developer will gain a platform to expand its project development experience into virtual power plants. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 3, 2017

Massachusetts DOER will set energy storage mandate targets by July

A law signed in August required the Department of Energy Resources to determine if a storage mandate is prudent for the state, which it did on Dec. 27.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 3, 2017

Rooftop solar permits in Honolulu fell 40% in November

Solar permits for the first 11 months of the year were also down 32% from the same period in 2015.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 23, 2016

How the Illinois energy reform 'fixed' the state's RPS, promising a renewables boom

A convoluted renewables standard stalled investment for years, but the new law aims for over 4 GW of wind and solar through a streamlined program.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 22, 2016

Early Tesla storage executive Jaramillo to leave company after 7 years

Jaramillo's departure coincides with a dramatic ramping up of Tesla's energy storage products. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2016