Energy Capital Partners secures $6.7B to invest in clean energy industry

The New Jersey-based private equity firm said its fifth flagship fund would invest in companies focused on power generation, decarbonization and renewable and storage assets.

By Zoya Mirza • June 5, 2024

Thermal and compressed air storage cheaper than lithium-ion batteries for 8-plus hour durations: BNEF

However, non-lithium-ion storage costs are unlikely to decline as rapidly as costs for lithium-ion batteries through the end of the decade, BNEF said.

By Brian Martucci • June 4, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Duke to offer expanded suite of clean energy options to Amazon, Google, other large customers

The proposed framework — developed in collaboration with Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Nucor — includes “innovative financing” to support emerging technologies like advanced nuclear and long-duration storage in the Carolinas.

By Ethan Howland • May 30, 2024

With storage interconnection requests up 540 GW since the IRA’s passage, DOE, others weigh solutions

Most proposed storage projects never get built due to long interconnection delays and high grid upgrade costs, said Todd Olinsky-Paul, senior project director at Clean Energy States Alliance.

By Brian Martucci • May 28, 2024

Batteries saved Texas consumers $683M during 2-day January freeze: Aurora Energy Research

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas could utilize about 20 GW of battery energy storage in 2035, up from roughly 4 GW today, according to a report commissioned by battery developer Eolian.

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2024

Battery, critical mineral producers face inventory glut amid slowing EV demand

The oversupply, however, is likely to be short-lived, with experts urging diversified sourcing and increased investments to avoid future shortfalls.

By Kate Magill • May 23, 2024

Cells and modules not responsible for most battery energy storage system failures: study

The report by the Electric Power Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and battery software firm TWAICE found a 97% global drop in grid-scale battery failures between 2018 and 2023.

By Brian Martucci • May 21, 2024

We need long-duration storage for a cleaner and reliable grid. Here’s how policymakers can help.

States could require utilities to procure long-duration energy storage resources to help meet resource adequacy requirements.

By Rich Glick • May 21, 2024

Residential solar + storage surged in California after NEM 3.0: LBNL

Other trends include an increase in inflation-adjusted costs for storage attachments, decreases in average system size and notable market share growth among the state’s top installers.

By Brian Martucci • May 20, 2024

Hybrid projects dominate Western solar proposals, reflecting higher curtailment rates: S&P Global

Co-locating battery storage with new solar developments is “almost a requirement,” said Adam Wilson, senior energy research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2024

Stand out from the crowd: How solar installers can build trust with new customers

Solar installers looking to develop a trustworthy reputation should adopt these innovative strategies.

May 20, 2024

DTE seeks 120 MW of standalone energy storage in Michigan

The utility plans to have almost 3 GW of energy storage online by 2042, more than doubling its current capacity.

By Robert Walton • May 14, 2024

Biden hikes tariffs on China-made EVs, batteries, solar cells

The tariffs align with U.S. efforts to get ahead of China in clean energy and advanced technology manufacturing while also increasing supply chain control.

By Kate Magill • May 14, 2024

Fluence pipeline jumps $2.9B from Q1 to Q2

The company downplayed political risk ahead of the U.S. election in November, revealed plans to ship its first “domestic-content” batteries next year and debuted its most energy-dense Gridstack Pro offering yet.

By Brian Martucci • May 13, 2024

New Pennsylvania PUC policy sparks debate over who can own energy storage assets

PECO Energy and Duquesne Light urged the commission to allow utilities to own energy storage assets, while the Solar Energy Industries Association and others sought a path for third-party ownership.

By Patrick Cooley • May 9, 2024

Clean energy, gas generation in PJM may take longer to come online than expected: report

“Absent significant reforms or market innovations, most projects entering PJM’s queue today are unlikely to come online before 2030,” the report’s authors said.

By Ethan Howland • May 9, 2024

DOE requests public input on challenges with scaling energy storage manufacturing

A recent Department of Energy analysis indicates that up to 15 GW per year of manufacturing capacity will be needed by 2035 “to support mature technology deployment at scale for long duration energy storage.”

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2024

4-hour batteries best replacements for aging Maine peaker plants: study

An analysis by Clean Energy States Alliance found 4-hour battery systems more economical than a new F-frame gas turbine when considering the social costs of carbon and local pollution.

By Brian Martucci • May 3, 2024

CMBlu’s batteries competitive with Li-ion after 5 hours, but more data, experience needed: US head

After taking over as president of Germany-based CMBlu Energy’s U.S. subsidiary in January, Giovanni Damato aims to prove the company’s organic flow technology for utility and commercial/industrial users.

By Brian Martucci • April 30, 2024

15 questions to ask your energy storage or solar-plus-storage partner

As utilities evaluate partners to meet growing demand—it is important to ask key questions that will help you select the right folks to support the energy transition.

April 29, 2024

Another hot summer increases the urgency for energy storage

Forecasts suggest this summer is likely to be just as hot or hotter, which means the demand for electricity will again be intense, and utilities will be looking for solutions.

April 29, 2024

Energy storage for grid reliability can increase carbon emissions: University of Michigan study

Energy storage is often pitched as a way to make renewables more reliable and reduce the use of planet-warming fuels, but researchers at the University of Michigan found that it can encourage the use of coal over gas.

By Patrick Cooley • April 23, 2024

Corporate funding in energy storage rises 432% in Q1 driven by 2 deals: Mercom

Two battery manufacturers claimed 83% of the total funding raised in Q1, but the need for new long-duration storage technologies is fueling an overall upward trend, Mercom said.

By Emma Penrod • April 23, 2024

EV, battery projects lead clean energy manufacturing sector in March: E2

Last month showed over $2 billion in investments promising at least 1,660 jobs across five states.

By Joelle Anselmo • April 22, 2024

New England states seek federal funds for large-scale transmission, storage buildout

The funding “would be transformational for the development of renewable energy and grid resiliency across the entire Northeast region,” said Massachusetts Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey.

By Robert Walton • April 19, 2024