Energy storage

Virtual power plants

Xcel Minnesota looks to mimic power plants with solar and storage

The utility’s “virtual power plant” proposal taps an emerging model to replace retiring fossil fuel generation, but advocates say the devil is in the details.

By Frank Jossi . 28 August 2024

(Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Energy storage

This startup has a plan to clean up industry: electrified bricks

Calectra is the latest startup vying to decarbonize heavy industry using thermal energy storage. Industrial heat accounts for a quarter of global energy use.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 August 2024
Energy storage

Heat-based batteries are a surprisingly versatile tool

Brenmiller Energy’s boxes of hot rocks are being deployed to turn electricity into steam heat, boost campus heat-and-power systems, and make power plants more efficient.

By Jeff St. John . 26 August 2024
Energy storage

Tesla’s battery business is booming

Though its EV business is contracting, the company's energy storage segment is growing fast, helping it reap the benefits of surging demand for batteries.

By Dan McCarthy . 24 July 2024
Solar

Puerto Rico could soon build its biggest solar and grid battery plants

A new $861M Department of Energy loan guarantee would help finance 200 MW of solar and 285 MW of grid storage — a huge boost in renewable capacity for the island.

By Akielly Hu . 22 July 2024
Energy storage

Intersect Power to build $837M worth of grid batteries in Texas

The three Texas battery installations are expected to be up and running in 2024, helping provide more capacity to the state’s booming storage market.

By Jeff St. John . 17 July 2024
Energy storage

Chart: The US battery market is on track for its best year yet

Overall storage installations — meaning utility-scale, home, and commercial projects — grew 84 percent in Q1. Grid battery installations grew even faster.

By Dan McCarthy . 5 July 2024
Electrification

Ask these 7 questions before you buy a home battery

Rooftop solar combined with a battery can turn your home into a mini clean energy power plant. Here’s how to figure out if a home battery is right for you.

By Alison F. Takemura . 12 June 2024
Batteries

Is adding a battery to your rooftop solar worth it? Here’s how to decide

Although expensive upfront, batteries can help you get through power outages and lower your utility bills. Federal and local incentives can sweeten the deal.

By Alison F. Takemura . 30 May 2024
Energy storage

How Texas became the hottest grid battery market in the country

Battery developers love the freewheeling ERCOT system, and all the new energy storage is helping to bolster the grid. But will the good times last?

By Julian Spector . 13 May 2024
Batteries

This California city is trading an old gas plant for a giant grid battery

Calpine’s billion-dollar, 680-megawatt project in Menifee will be one of the biggest batteries in the U.S. when it comes online this summer.

By Julian Spector . 4 April 2024