Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

From provider to adviser: Opower launches suite of tools for utilities

The Opower Marketplace Suite, built in partnership with Enervee, is designed to help utilities match programs and incentives to customers.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

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

Former FERC Chair Wellinghoff: Utility gas investments risky as energy storage prices fall

The falling prices of wind, solar and energy storage pose a real threat to utility gas investments, according to former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

California water agency to use Tesla battery to slash peak demand by up to 14%

The utility plans to go "'gridless' by 2020 with almost no capital outlay."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

Coming soon to affordable housing: Solar-plus-storage?

Combining solar and storage at affordable housing projects can pay for itself if the conditions are right, according to a new report.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 10, 2015

Researchers identify new storage tech for concentrated solar power plants

Researchers in Oregon and Florida have identified a storage medium that could widen the reach of concentrated solar power projects.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 10, 2015

Swiss researchers developing cheap alternative to lithium-ion battery storage

A new report in the Journal Chemistry of Materials highlights research into storage options based around sodium and magnesium ions, potentially cheap alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

BP technology report sees solar's biggest gains in storage

BP's Technology Outlook sees faster prices declines for storage technologies than any other sector in the energy industry.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2015

Greens slam SoCal Edison plan for 3 new gas plants in $12B grid modernization

While SCE is one of the nation's leading utilities in energy storage, it wants to construct three new gas plants it says are needed to integrate more renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

Invenergy adds 31.5 MW battery to booming PJM frequency regulation market

PJM is now on track to reach an energy storage capacity of over 550 MW next year, with almost all of that providing frequency regulation, among other services.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 4, 2015

Hawaii's largest solar array, complete with storage, now online

REC Solar has brought a 12 MW solar system online for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, which is paired with a lithium-ion battery system to smooth renewable integration.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2015

Ice, ice energy: The hot market for cooled liquid energy storage

Ice Energy and CALMAC are proving their value while newer technologies wrestle with cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

The day after: How solar can thrive in the post-net metering era

With storage, TOU rates and control tech, solar can boom in the absence of net metering and benefit utilities as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

Xcel proposes 2 solar-storage projects in Denver

The two solar+storage projects aims to test out battery operations paired with solar systems for future "smart" and "sustainable" cities, officials said. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2015

New Enphase solar-storage product combines monitoring, control in a single device

Enphase Energy is introducing an all-in-one solar storage and control system in December.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2015

Report: Global grid storage hits 1 GWh milestone for 2015

Lux Research reports the lithium-ion battery market has been growing faster than the overall storage market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 30, 2015

Inside the first fully dispatchable utility solar-storage project in Hawaii

SolarCity is combining solar panels and storage in a single project on Kaua'i, but the most innovative part of the deal could be how it is structured.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 29, 2015

Bipartisan coalition launches Congressional Battery Storage Caucus

The new group in the U.S. Congress aims to educate lawmakers about storage and push legislation to boost the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

California's new demand response future begins

The state's new Demand Response Auction Mechanism could bring a vast array of resources into the power management fold.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

Pennsylvania PUC approves PECO's $274M reliability, microgrid program

The Philadelphia-based utility's proposal includes up to $100 million for a microgrid pilot to enhance grid resiliency. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2015

What comes after net metering: Hawaii's latest postcard from the future

Hawaii regulators offered two new remuneration schemes for rooftop solar in a landmark decision last week, along with new guidance on time of use rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 22, 2015

Stem, HECO partner on 1 MW battery storage pilot in Hawaii

Installations will be aimed at cutting commercial-industrial scale customers’ peak demand charges and providing grid support services.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

What's the value of energy storage? It's complicated

Experts at ESNA's conference last week discuss the complications of valuing storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015