BMW to deploy used EV batteries in residential storage market

BMW announced plans to work toward deploying used EV batteries in the residential storage market.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2016

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

FERC upholds right of cooperatives to buy from independent generators

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has upheld the right of cooperatives to buy power under PURPA.

By Peter Maloney • 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

California regulators update interconnection rules for renewables

The decision would cap some costs associated with a utility making upgrades to accommodate the new resources, allowing developers greater capital certainty.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2016

The DER pivot: Grid Edge Forum illustrates utility shift toward a distributed grid

Momentum is gathering behind a utility sector turn to distributed energy resources, attendees at the annual conference said this week. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 23, 2016

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

Morgan Stanley: Australian utilities underestimate disruptive power of solar+storage

With electricity prices rising, storage costs falling and solar incentives phasing out, the stage could be set for significant load defection in Australia as consumers increasingly deploy their own batteries and PV.

By Peter Maloney • 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

White House initiative targets storage growth for demand management, renewables integration

The Obama administration is hosting a summit on how best to scale up renewable and storage technologies, and how to most effectively integrate them into smarter electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • June 17, 2016

Beyond rate reforms: Bundling strategies could resolve net metering battles

While no silver bullet is found in a single strategy, an NREL study suggests bundling several approaches could address both solar and utilities' concerns about rooftop solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 16, 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

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

Hawaii officials plan changes to struggling renewables program

The Green Energy Market Securitization program has awarded about 1% of its $150 million in funds so far. 

By Robert Walton • 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

ARPA-E: Data centers targeted for $25M in energy efficiency funding

Data centers in the United States consume 2.5% of the country's energy.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 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

Xcel Colorado rate plan draws ire of solar interests for higher fixed charges

The plan would lower volumetric rates and increase fixed charges, following a utility strategy that's played out across the nation.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 9, 2016

Combined heat & power: The grid's 'best kept secret?'

It's the most efficient generation many people have never heard of. But as systems get smaller, the United States may be poised for a second co-generation growth spurt.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

Texas firm pushes into C&I microgrid projects, secures funding

 Enchanted Rock, a Houston-based developer of microgrids, is preparing to scale up development of its gas-based systems.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 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