The new EV playbook: How utilities can gain from the coming boom in electric vehicles

Electric vehicles can offer power services at bargain prices if charging is done when and where utilities need it, a new RMI report notes. But getting the grid to that point is easier said than done.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2016

California PUC issues revised self-generation rules favoring storage

The California Public Utilities Commission has revised the rules for its SGIP program.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 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

Solar plus storage: With SolarCity deal, Tesla aims to speed clean energy transition

Elon Musk wants to create an all-in-one sustainable energy company to shape a "non-weird future." Will shareholders let him?

By Gavin Bade • June 22, 2016

How storage can help solve the distributed energy 'death spiral'

A new Navigant paper lays out three examples of how storage can facilitate the transition to a more distributed grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 21, 2016

ConEd virtual power plant shows how New York's REV is reforming utility practices

Usually thought of as a zero-sum game, the REV docket is finding ways to allow utilities, third parties and customers all benefit from the deployment of distributed resources. 

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2016

Hawaii PUC staff outlines bill credits for community renewable energy programs

The PUC staff was responding to proposals made by Hawaiian Electric and Kauai Island Electric Utility Cooperative in response to a state law. 

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2016

Study: Falling cost of solar and wind could limit energy storage profitability

A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology examines economics of combining storage with renewable resources.

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2016

Report: Energy storage market to reach $250B by 2040

Utility scale batteries are expected to reach 25 GW by 2028, a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance says. 

By Peter Maloney • June 15, 2016

CPUC approves extra demand response in wake of Aliso Canyon gas leak

The CPUC last week approved the 2017 demand response budgets for California's IOUs, along with special funding to address potential natural gas shortages in the SCE service area this summer. 

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 2016

As DERs proliferate, utilities ramp up investments in storage startups

These investments help utilities stay ahead of the technological curve as distributed energy resources are integrated into the grid. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

Con Ed rolls out $15M virtual power plant project for REV

At least 300 homes will be equipped with leased solar panels and lithium-ion battery storage in the Queens and Brooklyn areas of New York City. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

Carolinas industry group seeks to change up the utility business model

A trade group rolled out a white paper outlining ways to change the way utilities operate in North Carolina. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2016

Greater than the sum: How aggregation is making storage into a software business

Grouping customer-sited batteries can deliver the same benefits as grid-scale storage, DNV-GL says.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2016

Exelon VC arm invests in storage sector startup

More utilities are eying investments in distributed energy resources, especially the energy storage space. 

By Peter Maloney • June 9, 2016

Little less talk: With new revenue models, New York starts to put REV into action

The reforms to utility revenues in the Empire State could set the course for a new model of 21st century power providers.

By Gavin Bade • June 9, 2016

MISO: FERC approves first storage interconnection agreement

The agreement is for Indianapolis Power & Light’s (IPL) Harding Street Station Battery Energy Storage System. 

By Peter Maloney • June 8, 2016

GE Ventures invests in Tesla competitor Sonnen

Investing in Sonnen will help the battery storage developer expand its competitive presence in the United States.

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2016

As funding for California's SGIP process grows, regulators look to bolster energy storage

But proposed modifications could change how fuel cell and energy storage technologies compete in the process. 

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2016

APS rate case sparks concern beyond mandatory demand charge proposal

Along with a rate structure overhaul, the Arizona utility also wants to cut net metering credits to its avoided cost rate.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2016

New Jersey startup seeks to be the 'Uber' of battery storage delivery

Power Edison, a New Jersey startup, is offering grid-scale lithium-ion batteries as a plug and play strategy for utilities looking to defer new plant investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2016

Flow battery developer to build world's largest battery storage system

UniEnergy Technologies and Chinese company Rongke Power plan to install 800 MWh flow battery array in China, making it the largest one in the world. 

By Peter Maloney • June 2, 2016

Mercedes finally unveils cost of at-home battery, higher than Tesla Powerwall

It's more expensive than Tesla's offerings, costing between $9,000 and $10,000 including installation. 

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2016

Statoil to add battery storage to a Scottish floating wind project

Norwegian oil company Statoil plans to add 1 MWh battery storage to a floating wind farm off the Scottish coast.

By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2016

Tesla sets July 29 as grand opening date for Nevada gigafactory

The factory won't be 100% complete, but that won't stop Tesla from celebrating the opening of the 5.8-million-square-foot battery plant.

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2016

Energy storage's role in decarbonization will depend on duration, cost cuts

For a clean grid, "storage is not a requisite if a diverse mix of flexible, low-carbon power sources is employed," according to a new study by Argonne Laboratory and MIT.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2016