California ISO board approves measures to propel energy storage, DERs

CAISO's Board of Directors approved changes to how behind-the-meter energy storage resources participate in the ISO and measures to facilitate the use of demand response resources in the wholesale market.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2018

California EV integration strategy to focus on cost efficiency, cybersecurity

The developing Vehicle-Grid Integration Roadmap will help to prioritize specific actions as California works to meet its goal of bringing five million EVs on the road by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Duke Energy petitions South Carolina regulators to extend solar net metering

While Duke Energy Carolinas reached its net metering cap in July, the utility said a temporary extension will provide "consistency and certainty" to customers while stakeholders reach consensus on a long-term solution.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 6, 2018

In first, US residential energy storage overtakes front-of-meter installations

For the first time, residential energy storage outpaced front-of-meter deployments, according to a Wood Mackenzie-Energy Storage Association report.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2018

Greenlots to demo real-time interaction between EV charging and power grid

The company will partner with Burns & McDonnell to test an open standards charging technology, which will allow real-time visibility into the network and data collection, to move into the utility sector.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

Sonnen aims to unify all aspects of the smart home

Through its new smart energy management system, Sonnen will unite home automation, residential solar and energy storage with intelligent load control.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

US residential storage capacity sees 317% growth

A survey compiled by the Smart Electric Power Alliance shows rapid growth in the deployment of residential storage resources, but relatively steady numbers in other storage sectors.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

Iowa launches electric vehicle infrastructure proceeding

While the state had less than 2,000 EVs on the road last year, a potential rulemaking on charging infrastructure from the Iowa Utilities Board signals a greater focus on electrified transportation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2018

California's BTM energy storage moves forward, but is it good for the climate?

Legislators extended the state's self-generation incentive program, but regulators want to improve its GHG reductions.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 4, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

Cyberthreats require strengthened standards, increased government collaboration

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan and former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson wrote about the importance of establishing cybersecurity compliance standards at the distribution level.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Robert F. Powelson • Sept. 4, 2018

Energy storage gets a boost as California legislature extends SGIP

Extension of the Self Generation Incentive Program ​program could help the growth of rooftop solar in California.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2018

Distributed solar saved ISO-NE consumers $20M during July heatwave, report says

Customer-sited solar in New England can reduce peak demand by up to 1 GW, according to a new analysis by Synapse Energy Economics. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Oregon projects incorporate solar output insurance in financing

Hedges against solar output could help lower cost to finance projects.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2018

Two roads diverging: Pennsylvania lawmakers rethink their renewables mandate

A new plan for solar is pushing Pennsylvania lawmakers to rethink the state's energy sector and utilities are fighting for their share.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2018

Exclusive: Ohio PUC details utility reform roadmap in PowerForward initiative

The plan, a product of a year-long business model investigation, aims to create a level playing field for innovation on the utility distribution system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 29, 2018

Renewables push CAISO prices lower, threaten inflexible generation

A new report finds uneven price distribution in utility-scale solar disproportionately affects baseload generation, such as coal and nuclear. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2018

FERC says SCE can't treat storage customers differently in service

Southern California Edison sought authority to curtail electricity service to storage customers first during times of peak demand, but FERC said that would be "unduly discriminatory."

By Gavin Bade , Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

Face the heat: Should EV incentives be restructured for battery degradation?

A new study advocates scaling electric vehicle incentives based on how quickly batteries wear out, but critics say it misses the bigger picture. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 28, 2018

Oklahoma AG opinion clears way for third-party solar ownership

Oklahoma's solar industry could see a boost from an opinion by the state's attorney general, which concludes third-party ownership and leasing arrangements are allowed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

PacifiCorp, Idaho Power agree to make CAISO their reliability coordinator

As the California grid operator draws closer to filing at FERC for approval of its Reliability Coordinator services, two more utilities have signed on following a commitment by the Balancing Authority of Northern California in July.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 24, 2018

New York unveils new toolkit to drive solar on brownfields

The procurement guidelines aim to spur community solar development on landfills and other underutilized land, advancing the state's 50% renewable generation goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 24, 2018

Tucson Electric proceeding lays groundwork for customer solar+storage rate

Residential solar advocates wonder what sort of solar-plus-storage rate can sweeten the deal for TEP customers in the "post net metering paradigm."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 22, 2018

Does your utility have a survival strategy?

Faced with a changing competitive landscape and an uncertain regulatory environment, utility organizations are increasingly employing new cloud and digital strategies to ensure not only success, but survival.

By Michael O’Donnell • Aug. 22, 2018