COVID-19 disrupts storage bidding processes for New York utilities, but state report shows progress

New York regulators' first State of Storage report shows the state is 47% of the way toward its interim goal of 1,500 MW of storage by 2025.

By Matthew Bandyk • April 3, 2020

Cheapest is not always best: Concentrated solar power could beat lower price PV with new market rules

With its zero-emissions mandate, California will need a diversity of renewable resources along with CSP, "particularly because of its long duration storage" potential, the state's Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said.​

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2020

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

Massachusetts is 3 months from implementing nation's 1st clean peak standard

While the new standard is expected to reduce ratepayer costs from avoided or deferred infrastructure upgrades, utilities remain concerned about the cost of the program.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 6, 2020

NextEra's secret recipe for energy storage: Planning

With the current and expanding opportunities for battery storage, utility planners and investors require appropriate analyses, valuation approaches, and tools to assess project value for this rapidly evolving technology.

March 25, 2020

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

Lead batteries make innovation push to better compete for energy storage projects

The Consortium for Battery Innovation believes more research can make lead-acid batteries cost-competitive for storage.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 19, 2020

New York taps developers for almost 1.3 GW of solar, wind and storage across upstate region

The 21 projects are expected to generate more than $2.5 billion in direct, private investments. Advocates say the announcement highlights the need for energy siting reform in the Empire State.

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2020

'An immediate and dramatic business concern:' How COVID-19 is disrupting the energy sector

The industry could face declines in demand, distracted regulators and disrupted supply chains, according to experts.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 17, 2020

Energy storage deployments to increase 7x between 2019 and 2021: WoodMac

Mega battery projects are driving quick growth in the storage sector, including a 182.5 MW, 730 MWh project from Pacific Gas & Electric.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020

Nuclear energy storage? Advanced reactor developers trying to expand nuclear power's selling points

Molten salt reactors have been trying to reach commercialization for several years, and developers are now emphasizing their potential storage capability. But that may not be enough.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020

Blackstone buys NRStor subsidiary, as financial sector increasingly moves into energy storage

Battery storage is quickly becoming a more stable investment, particularly as demand for renewable energy grows.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 9, 2020

Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value

Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2020

Comprehensive Senate energy bill draws industry, bipartisan support, but lags on tax credits, efficiency

The bill would include 17 demonstration projects for advanced nuclear, carbon capture, long duration storage and geothermal, moving away from the Trump administration's more research-focused funding approach.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 3, 2020

'A Swiss army knife': How developers and investors are looking at the storage sector

The global storage market will expand from 4 GW of annual deployments in 2019 to more than 15 GW in 2024, according to analysts at Wood Mackenzie.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 3, 2020

Green hydrogen gets real as utility business models and delivery solutions emerge

The fuel may be the only way to meet power system needs in zero emissions scenarios and the market signals to produce and use it are finally clear.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2020

'Beyond frustating' Senate dispute stalls bipartisan energy legislation

Adoption of the comprehensive package was disrupted over an amendment that would limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 10, 2020

Spending more on renewables 'inappropriate,' as technology is already viable: DOE Secretary

Dan Brouillette defended President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to energy efficiency and renewables to a House committee as a pivot toward emerging technologies that have not yet reached market maturity, such as energy storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 28, 2020

CPUC proposes optimal 2030 system portfolio tripling battery storage, more than doubling solar

The California Public Utilities Commission on Friday proposed a 46 million metric ton greenhouse gas emissions target for the electric sector in 2030.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 27, 2020

State of the Electric Utility 2020

Renewables and sustainability are top priorities for utilities, but there is room for improvement on cybersecurity, climate resilience and more, Utility Dive's seventh annual report finds.​

By Nami Sumida • Feb. 26, 2020

Dominion's first storage projects to test increased solar integration, fewer distribution upgrades

The utility plans to use the experience learned from operating four lithium-ion battery projects totaling 16 MW to meet new energy storage requirements, which could reach over 2 GW in Virginia by 2035.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 26, 2020

Beating China at the lithium game — can the US secure supplies to meet its renewables targets?

To meet its renewables targets, the U.S. needs to secure lithium supplies or find a different way to compete with Beijing’s mining and manufacturing prowess, the author writes.

By Teague Egan • Feb. 18, 2020

'This is going to be a very big deal' — coronavirus poised to disrupt storage, solar sectors

China's battery storage production could drop by 10%, or 26 GWh, from 2020 forecasts due to measures aimed at controlling the outbreak, according to Wood Mackenzie.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 18, 2020

Virginia approves 100% clean energy legislation, pushing state toward 2.4 GW storage, RGGI

Following a Senate push to get the Virginia Clean Economy Act to conference committee, the energy package is headed to the Governor's desk.

By Matthew Bandyk • Updated March 6, 2020

Glick joins grid operators' call for storage hybrid market construct

The FERC commissioner wants to see action on the measure and suggested a technical conference on how to treat storage collocated with energy generation in energy markets.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2020

Why is the utility industry less bullish on grid-scale storage?

This year, 27% of participants in the State of the Electric Utility survey said they expect their organization will significantly increase grid-scale battery storage in the next 10 years — compared to 34% last year.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 13, 2020