DOE issues draft plan for speeding up, improving grid interconnections

The draft road map goes beyond the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent interconnection reform rule, in part by calling for fast-track interconnection options.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 26, 2023

Bloom Energy, Google, others back microgrid tax credit extension

The push for the microgrid controller investment tax credit extension comes amid growth but also emerging challenges for the sector.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

The U.S. energy transition is facing challenges around grid interconnections, project permitting and power system reliability, but state, federal and other solutions are emerging.

By Utility Dive staff

New ERCOT battery rule could limit energy storage use in grid emergencies, operators say

New state of charge rules “will substantially reduce energy storage participation in the ancillary markets and reduce competition,” Eolian CEO Aaron Zubaty said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2023

White House points to nationwide clean energy jobs growth as IRA success story

The Biden administration has issued three recent reports showing growth in clean energy jobs as well as record investment in the sector.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 24, 2023

Plus Power raises $1.8B for Texas, Arizona battery projects amid reliability, load growth challenges

“We’re solving problems in slightly different fashions depending on the market,” said Joshua Goldstein, Plus Power’s chief financial officer.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 24, 2023

Battery storage boost to Texas reliability is an example for the whole country

The rapid buildout of energy storage in Texas — increasing roughly tenfold in three years — played a key role in helping the state avoid power shortages and brownouts this past summer amid record power demand.

By Patrick Meyer • Oct. 23, 2023

Failing to expand the grid may be biggest threat to US energy transition: National Academies

A panel of experts urged FERC to “expeditiously” issue its pending transmission planning and cost allocation reforms and to make sure wholesale power markets can support a shift to 100% clean energy.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 19, 2023

NineDot Energy signs Starbucks as anchor customer for NYC community battery storage

The company says it is on track to develop 400 MW of battery storage capacity in New York City by 2026.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2023

How to decide on oversizing or augmenting energy storage projects

Battery degradation is inevitable but can be managed with careful planning and consideration.

By Giriraj Rathore, Senior Business Development Manager, Energy Storage & Optimisation, Wärtsilä • Oct. 16, 2023

2024 US power sector conferences to watch

Start planning for this year’s events, which will cover the clean energy transition, state and federal energy policy and more.

By Larry Pearl • Updated Feb. 16, 2024

Green Mountain Power proposes energy storage for all Vermonters

The utility has proposed spending $280M to harden the grid and provide customers with storage, after spending $45 million restoring its system following major storms last winter.

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 10, 2023

SRP explores emerging long-duration storage tech to meet ‘explosive growth’ in Arizona

The utility is seeking information about potential demonstration projects from 5 MW to 50 MW, capable of delivering energy 8-12 hours.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2023

Battery storage failures highlight reliability challenges of inverter-based resources: report

The analysis is the latest data point in the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s investigation of IBRs tripping offline or reducing output in response to grid disturbances.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2023

ERCOT, NYISO, Southwest show potential for energy storage expansion: Deloitte

The California Independent System Operator is the strongest region for energy storage in the U.S., with a 43.7 GW pipeline of projects, according to the consulting firm.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 3, 2023

Honeywell invests $27.5M in ESS to advance iron-flow battery storage

Under this new partnership, Honeywell will also be buying and reselling $300 million of ESS products over the next six years as part of its broader offerings to the market. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 27, 2023

US energy storage capacity additions rise 161% in Q2, set new record: report

The U.S. energy storage industry added a record 5,597 MWh in the second quarter of this year, reversing two quarters of declining growth.

By Diana DiGangi • Sept. 26, 2023

Alliant, NextEra, Xcel in line to receive part of $325M in DOE long-duration storage funding

The funding will help the Department of Energy reach its goal of cutting long-duration storage costs 90% by 2030, the DOE said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2023

The future of work in the energy and utilities industry: Embracing automation and digital transformation

In the energy and utilities sector specifically, automation has led to a dual effect – the elimination of certain job roles and the creation of new ones.

Sept. 25, 2023

Dominion Energy turns to lithium-ion battery alternatives as it builds out offshore wind, solar fleet

A proposed project would test two storage technologies: Form Energy’s iron-air batteries and Eos Energy’s zinc-hybrid batteries.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 22, 2023

BASF, Nanotech Energy team up to produce lithium-ion batteries with recycled metals

The companies will also work with American Battery Technology Co. and Toda Advanced Materials to build a North America-based battery value chain.

By Sara Samora • Sept. 20, 2023

KORE Power, Nidec sign 2.2 GWh deal amid focus on domestic energy storage manufacturing

KORE Power will provide Nidec North America with up to 600 MWh of lithium-ion battery cells, modules and racks in 2024.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 19, 2023

Emerging firm and peaking clean energy tech can slash carbon-free power costs: Google

Corporate clean-energy buyers can help commercialize emerging technologies like next-gen geothermal, carbon capture and storage, advanced nuclear, hydrogen and long-duration storage, Google said.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 15, 2023

MISO: 49 GW has received interconnection approval, but projects face major delays

The roughly two-year delays in building generation and storage come as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator faces looming capacity shortfalls.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 14, 2023

Tripling virtual power plant capacity by 2030 could save $10B, meet 20% peak demand: DOE

With electric vehicles and other distributed resources surging, virtual power plants may be at an inflection point, the Department of Energy said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 13, 2023

Geothermal energy storage is cost competitive with lithium-ion batteries, pumped hydro: pilot

While the pilot tested the technology for up to 18 hours of storage, Sage Geosystems is confident it could operate on a weekly cycle, or even provide seasonal storage, CEO Cindy Taff said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 13, 2023