Microgrids on the table as DC stakeholders look to boost reliability in nation's capital

The District of Columbia is about three weeks away from kicking off a workshop examining how microgrids can help power stability in the nation's capital.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2015

Energy Storage Assn: Renewable tax breaks not optimal, but necessary

Until the U.S. market properly values clean energy and renewable generation then some subsidies will be required, according to the head of the Energy Storage Association.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 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

Is variable pricing the way out of Hawaii's solar wars?

Rates that vary with the grid’s needs may change customer behaviors, but will they settle the cost shift question?

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

SolarCity wants to help utilities plan better for distributed resources

The leading national solar installer has a new, innovative framework to modernize utilities’ interconnection, planning, procurement, and data sharing practices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Siemens to construct islanding microgrid on northern California reservation

The microgrid, designed for the Blue Lake Rancheria reservation, will test microgrid management software to predict power needs and control the grid without an operator present.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How demand flexibility is about to transform electricity delivery

For utilties, when consumers use energy could become just as important to their bottom lines as if they generate it themselves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2015

GE inks deal to provide 30 MW of battery storage for CA utility

It is GE's third lithium ion storage project announced in recent months.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

In SolarCity's 'new paradigm' for distribution planning, DERs come first

Top solar installer calls for new distribution system planning with priority on distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

California regulators propose framework to put a value on DERs

Establishing value appears to be the first step to creating a distributed energy marketplace.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

German utility giant invests in behind-the-meter storage startup Stem

Companies expected to target commercial storage and solar plus storage applications.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2015

Elon Musk: Demand for Tesla batteries 'has been really crazy'

Tesla has hinted it may further expand its Gigafactory and said it is in talks with utilities about how storage will be integrated into their distribution grids.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Report: Storage boom to rival solar as battery prices drop 40-60% by 2020

Falling battery storage prices will open up a wide range of options for consumers, but the new technology comes with its own set of risk and rewards.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2015

Interest grows for pumped hydro storage options in Hawaii

At least one utility, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, has opted against battery storage and is exploring a 25 MW pumped hydro facility.

By Robert Walton • July 29, 2015

AMS, SunEdison partner on 50 MW of strategic storage for SCE

The batteries will perform peak shaving and load shifting to relieve distribution system stresses.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 16, 2015

San Diego Gas & Electric proposes unique customer-sited energy storage rate

The utility wants regulators to approve discounts for customers who allow the utility to utilize their home batteries for grid services. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

IPL breaks ground on 20MW storage facility for MISO ancillary services

AES Energy Storage installation will provide MISO with system balancing ancillary services.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 14, 2015

NRG, Ice Energy partner on 25.6 MW of behind-the-meter storage for SCE

SCE gets the jump on other California utilities in meeting AB 2514 storage requirements.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 8, 2015

Hawaiian Electric delays energy storage project

The utility confirmed that a plan to install 200 MW of battery storage will be delayed a year and is likely to come online in 2018.

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2015

Storage update: Inside the sector's hot Q1 and what's next for utilities & suppliers

Storage capacity is on track to triple this year, grow 13 times over by 2019, GTM Research predicts.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2015

Ballot initiative, falling costs, energy storage drive Florida utilities into solar

The right policies could make the Sunshine State a solar state, activists say.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2015

New York funds 7 energy storage projects for REV initiative

New York continues to transform its utility industry through its Reforming the Energy Vision intiaitive.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Massachusetts launches $10 million energy storage initiative

Gov. Charlie Baker wants Massachusetts to support storage demonstration projects as well as study how the resource can benefit the state.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

PG&E flooded with 5,000 MW of applications for energy storage

SDG&E and SCE also working to meet California’s 1,325 MW by 2020 energy storage mandate.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

What's next in the energy storage boom, and what utilities need to know

Storage is growing fast, but where and how depends on the right mix of regulations and utility involvement.

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2015

Where is the U.S. energy storage market going?

Storage deployments could triple this year and open big new markets.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2015