How IPL wants FERC to transform MISO energy storage tariffs

Current dispatch rules, designed for flywheels, could degrade batteries much quicker than anticipated, the utility argues.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2016

Energy storage firm Enphase releases modest earnings amid residential solar slowdown

The developer of microinverters and energy storage has struggled to maintain costs and grow market share as the residential solar market cools down. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2016

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

ScottMadden: California Duck Curve growing faster than expected

Utility-scale solar is contributing more to lower minimum daily loads than distributed generation, the consultancy said. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2016

Tesla: SolarCity merger will add to balance sheet in Q4, insulate against net metering changes

The battery company posted a lengthy blog post Tuesday outlining the financial health of SolarCity and its business plans for the combined companies.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 1, 2016

Younicos, Panasonic team up for 1 MW solar-plus-storage system in Denver

The storage system is being designed to tap into five revenue streams, including frequency regulation.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 1, 2016

5 unanswered questions after Tesla's big solar roof and battery announcement

As the dust settles, the details of Elon Musk’s new integrated solar-plus-storage offering and its effect on the sector remain unclear.  

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 31, 2016

Indiana utility files with FERC for changes to 'outdated' MISO storage tariffs

Current storage tariffs were designed for flywheel technologies, not modern lithium batteries, argues Indianapolis Power & Light. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 31, 2016

Tesla unveils residential solar roof and new Powerwall battery

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled an integrated solar roof and battery storage product at an event in Los Angeles.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 28, 2016

Tesla started shipping cheaper Powerpack 2.0 grid battery in September

The second version of Tesla's grid scale battery comes "at price points and functionality previously unknown," according to the company. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 28, 2016

Siemens says it can develop 36 MWh thermal storage project at $0.11/KWh

The process stores excess wind energy in a rock fill, which is later released to turn a steam generator. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2016

VC funding down for smart grid, efficiency firms, but BTM storage bucks the trend

Funding for smart grid, efficiency and storage firms was down in the third quarter, but residential and commercial battery applications were a bright spot for the sector. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 27, 2016

Updated: Sunrun partners with LG for home batteries, but will continue using Tesla as well

Sunrun will add LG to its residential battery suppliers for the Brightbox, where it had used only Tesla batteries before.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 27, 2016

Southern's Powersecure contracts with Bloom for fuel cell + storage solution

Powersecure will purchase 50 MW of Bloom fuel cells to supply customers like the Home Depot with a new backup power option.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 26, 2016

How Walmart is leveraging DERs for its 100% renewable energy goal

The retail giant is already a rooftop solar leader and is now applying its massive market power to energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2016

Lockheed Martin installs 1 MW battery at New York facility

The system will reduce the company's power bills and provide services to the state's grid operator.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2016

AMS installs 3.65 MW of battery storage at California water agency

Water treatment facilities are prime targets for battery storage due to high electricity consumption and the opportunity to cut demand charges. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 24, 2016

Hawaiian Electric rolls out TOU rate pilot program

The utility is beginning to sign customers up for a rate program designed to incentivize the consumption of solar energy during midday hours.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 24, 2016

Zinc-battery storage developer Eos Energy raises $23M in funding

The uptick in funding showcases the growing interest in energy storage space beyond lithium ion battery storage. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2016

Keep it simple, states: Community solar developers say complex regulations stifle growth

Community solar is supposed to be a renewable energy panacea, but developers say extensive rules could constrain deployment in major markets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2016

Fitch: Battery technology set to disrupt oil industry, boost renewables, autos

A new report from Fitch Ratings warns of disruption from advances in battery technology, particularly in transportation. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 20, 2016

PG&E teams up with Green Charge for aggregated grid storage project

Green Charge will develop and aggregate energy storage systems in San Jose to evaluate how they can support the grid during periods of high electric demand.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 19, 2016

How the coming boom in electric and self-driving vehicles will transform the grid

A new BNEF report imagines a world where fleets of autonomous electric vehicles provide services to the grid, but getting there requires utilities to be proactive. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2016

Amid IPO rumors, Sonnen secures $85M in equity capital

The German storage company announced a new round of funding as Bloomberg reported it is considering an IPO filing in the next two years.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 18, 2016

SolarReserve proposes 2 GW concentrated solar plant with storage in Nevada

The CSP project would be the second in the U.S. with molten salt energy storage and would sell power into the California market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2016

Sonnen taps AutoGrid software to broaden uses for its battery systems

The systems can be used as a virtual power plant and help customers participate in demand response programs.  

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 14, 2016