ESS, SB Energy reach major deal for flow battery technology with 2 GWh agreement

A recent study projected that the worldwide market for flow batteries would grow from an estimated $290.5 million in 2020 to $962 million by 2026, with particular growth in the utility and industrial space.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 4, 2021

Meet the utility labor shortage challenge through a true training culture

Understanding and meaningfully addressing the expectations of employees entering the profession is an all-too-often overlooked strategic priority.

Oct. 4, 2021

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

As California's solar net metering battle goes to regulators, a focus on reliability may be the best answer

The reliability value of solar plus storage in ensuring resource adequacy might be the key to solar's future, according to Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Executive Director V. John White.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2021

AES-Siemens joint venture Fluence joins raft of storage firms moving to go public

As the storage market booms, firms like ESS, Stem and Energy Vault have all gone public.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 29, 2021

With forward capacity auction success, batteries are winning in New England

Battery storage is now able to compete head-to-head economically — without subsidies — against incumbent fossil fuel generation in New England, the author writes.

By Todd Olinsky-Paul • Sept. 28, 2021

State, federal actions show growing push for a nuclear role in reaching net zero emissions

Former critics of nuclear power agree, financial support may be justified for firm power options to tackle climate change and get over the net zero emissions finish line.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2021

DOE eyes AI, machine learning to accelerate long-duration energy storage research

A proposed research plan could "validate technology faster than time runs on the calendar," said Eric Hsieh, DOE director for grid systems and components.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 27, 2021

New technology needed to meet utility decarbonization goals, EEI, others warn

The last 20% of the energy sector will depend on further development of green hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, advanced nuclear and other technologies, said the chair of the Edison Electric Institute.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Sept. 22, 2021

Advancing the energy transition requires an honest discussion of costs, outages and land, analysts say

Customers will tolerate the power system transformation's problems and challenges if they understand stakeholders will be "careful about the transition," one analyst said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2021

New York authorizes National Grid to serve retail, bid into wholesale market with upstate battery project

A utility-owned 3 MWh battery will bid into the New York ISO wholesale market as well as serve retail customers to demonstrate storage's role and potential.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 17, 2021

Gravity-based storage firm Energy Vault to go public in SPAC deal as market continues to boom

The Energy Information Administration predicted in August that large-scale battery storage installations could grow tenfold between 2019 and the end of 2023, with some 10,000 MW of new storage installed between 2021 and 2023.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 14, 2021

Hyzon and Chevron-backed fuel company to make hydrogen in California

Two processing sites Raven SR plans to operate in the state could produce enough hydrogen to power an estimated 200 heavy-duty trucks per day.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 10, 2021

Generator manufacturer Briggs & Stratton acquires energy storage firm SimpliPhi Power

The acquisition "establishes a strong position for Briggs & Stratton in the high-growth energy storage system market," said CEO Steve Andrews.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 9, 2021

Vistra's 1.2 GWh Moss Landing storage facility remains offline after overheating incident

The facility in Monterey, Calif., experienced an overheating incident earlier this month, but no fire or injuries were reported. 

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 7, 2021

Demand for interactive content is rising. Can utilities catch up?

In today's digital world of mobile video games and viral TikTok videos, interactive content is now an expectation for utility customers of all ages.

Sept. 7, 2021

Utility provider shows why effective training is key to the energy transition

Utilities everywhere face challenges and demands that extend well beyond integrating and managing new technologies.  

Sept. 7, 2021

Time running out for Exelon's Byron and Dresden nuclear plants as Illinois Senate passes major energy bill

The state Senate's clean energy package, which still needs to pass the House of Representatives, would provide nearly $700 million over five years for the nuclear power sector.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Sept. 2, 2021

Duke explores shutting coal-fired plants by 2030 in South Carolina plans

The revised plans come after South Carolina regulators voted in late June to reject the utility's previous proposals and send the company back to the drawing board.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Sept. 1, 2021

California's growing storage fleet is beginning to impact energy markets as envisioned, says grid operator

Storage advocates, meanwhile, say California should move away from its "just-in-time" procurement cycle to account for processes like interconnection and permitting.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 31, 2021

DOE-backed battery technology promises much faster charging than lithium-ion devices

Conductive materials being researched at Tulane University could combine the rapid charging of supercapacitors with the density of lithium-ion batteries. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 31, 2021

As battery storage booms, investors spend big on startups

Long-duration energy storage firm Malta announced a $60 million fundraising round, while FlexGen notched $150 million in equity. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 27, 2021

Battery storage is on a growth spurt that's about to get even bigger, EIA says

Battery storage could contribute 10 GW to the grid between 2021 and 2023, a U.S. Energy Information Administration report concludes. But storage advocates say that estimate could be even bigger given recent industry growth.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 26, 2021

Generators, labor groups urge New York to develop incentives for nonrenewable generation

The effort could lead to investments in carbon capture and other low-emissions technology, but conservation advocates call it misguided and urge a focus on more renewables, transmission and storage.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2021

Will hydrogen usher in a new era of collaboration between gas and electric utilities?

With hundreds of businesses from dozens of industries eyeing hydrogen as a key opportunity for future growth, gas utilities have started to make a case for their role in the clean energy economy. But not everyone shares their vision.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 19, 2021

UL, Hyundai to partner on evaluation of EV batteries for energy storage

The project will focus on second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries. The companies say their partnership could also offer valuable data on lithium-ion battery safety risks.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 18, 2021