Sustainability tops utility concerns, as SEU survey sees discrepancies on cybersecurity, stranded assets

Some 50% of utility respondents to Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility Survey expect their organization to significantly increase the amount of grid-scale solar by 2030, a stronger forecast than for any other resource.

By Larry Pearl • Feb. 12, 2020

DOE's Oak Ridge lab licenses technology to startup Sparkz to reduce cobalt in lithium-ion batteries

Another technology licensed by the lab aims to overcome existing limitations on energy density in order to make electric vehicles charge much more efficiently. 

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 11, 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

FERC's Order 841 'essential' for energy storage to cut emissions, attorneys general argue

FERC's order requiring storage to participate in wholesale markets is undergoing a challenge in federal court, and attorneys general of California, D.C., Massachusetts, Michigan and Rhode Island are siding with federal regulators.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 11, 2020

Utility regulators need to look beyond 'cash flow' when assessing storage: DOE policy chief

In particular, the investor-owned utility model has traditionally been "not about cost. It was about making investments that are right and that will eventually pay themselves out when we do it."

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 10, 2020

How ConEd and National Grid are experimenting with energy storage in New York

Consolidated Edison is in the middle of several major projects to advance the state's distributed grid, while working to add 300 MW of energy storage by 2023.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 3, 2020

Q&A: GE CTO on adapting to the clean energy transition

Utility Dive caught up with GE Grid Solutions' Chief Technology Officer Vera Silva to discuss the shifting technology space in the utility industry, as well as short and long-term solutions for decarbonizing the power grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 3, 2020

This is no Hollywood tale: SimpliPhi CEO Catherine Von Burg is taking on storage's 800-pound gorilla

The California company has roots in the movie industry, and wants to use its systems to displace cobalt-based lithium-ion as the top storage solution while helping provide universal access to energy. 

By Larry Pearl • Feb. 3, 2020

At a crossroads: The connected future of EVs, solar, energy storage and software

The need for partnership across industries is increasing as the EV market continues to expand and challenge a static electric grid, driving industry forward to a clean, connected future, the authors write.

By Wes Doane and Lior Handelsman • Jan. 31, 2020

SPP approves $545M in transmission upgrades, eyes storage to help reduce costs

Southwest Power Pool is considering how energy storage could diminish transmission costs, although the pumped storage and batteries on its system are considered only as generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2020

Geothermal's surprise: Cheap renewables could keep states from achieving climate goals

Planners must think beyond the levelized cost for renewables to the value that each resource brings to the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2020

NYPA turns to zinc-air storage amid lithium-ion safety concerns

The utility is working with Zinc8 Energy Solutions to install a 100 kW/1 MWh zinc-air system in western New York and intends to scale up the project over time.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 27, 2020

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

8minute forms equity partnership with Capital Dynamics for largest US solar + storage project

The facility will deliver 400 MW of solar and 1,200 MWh of energy storage to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at a fixed solar cost under $0.02 per kilowatt-hour.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 23, 2020

Mercom: VC funds are increasingly investing in energy storage

Meanwhile, venture capital spending on energy efficiency dipped from $1.5 billion in 2018 to $298 million last year, though the 2018 results were skewed by a single mega deal and funding has been on an overall downward trend.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 21, 2020

Proposed 2.2 GW storage project plans to use Navajo coal station power-lines

If the project receives regulatory approval, it will deliver power to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix in 10-hour durations.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 21, 2020

2020 Outlook: Renewables, resilience and reliability needs will drive storage

The storage industry will face its fair share of challenges, including increasing safety regulations, regulatory barriers and market uncertainty, experts say.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 21, 2020

The new yardstick: How to optimize operations and economics in a high-renewables grid

In a three-part series, learn how Austin Energy and Doosan GridTech are maximizing the value of integrated storage and DERs through the DOE-funded Austin SHINES program. 

Jan. 21, 2020

2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector

From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020

DOE unveils plan to make US global storage leader by 2030

To build a domestic storage supply chain and ensure the department's broad goals are met, experts say the government-led initiative will need to provide regulatory certainty.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 10, 2020

Maryland regulators urged to consider climate, grid benefits of energy storage

A group of stakeholders has outlined the next steps to monetize an energy storage pilot program in Maryland.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 8, 2020

California has big clean energy ambitions, and is looking for better energy storage to realize them

The California Energy Commission has launched a solicitation for non-lithium ion storage technologies like flow batteries, flywheels, compressed air systems and electrolytic hydrogen.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 6, 2020

Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions

Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2020

Tax credit, net metering declines strike distributed solar, but falling costs, storage offer new hope

With tax credits and net metering threatened, previous withdrawals of financial support mechanisms show what the distributed solar industry may soon face.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 19, 2019

First US long-duration liquid air storage project planned in Vermont

The technology faces the challenge of competing with lithium-ion batteries and establishing itself in the storage market.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 18, 2019

House foregoes new tax credits for storage, offshore wind as it approves $1.4T spending bill

The Senate passed the spending bills on Thursday, which included a one-year tax credit extension for onshore wind, and incentives for geothermal, biodiesel and Native American-owned coal plants.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 20, 2019