Clean energy journalism for a cooler tomorrow

Grid edge

California’s patchwork push to scale up virtual power plants

The state has created more ways for solar-and-battery-equipped homes to get paid to help the grid — but not enough to save the crashing rooftop solar market.

By Jeff St. John . 22 February 2024

An aerial view of a subdivision of single-family homes, many with solar panels visible on the roof — The Chatsworth neighborhood in Los Angeles, California (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Grid edge

Can a new way to pay for behind-the-meter flexibility help prevent rolling blackouts in California?

Marin Clean Energy’s Demand FLEXmarket merges efficiency and demand response to capture the value of behind-the-meter resources. Could it be the start of a statewide trend?

By Jeff St. John . 19 April 2021
Long-duration energy storage

Long-duration storage roundup: News, players and technology

Long-duration storage keeps on slipping into the future.

By Eric Wesoff . 12 April 2021
Grid edge

How distributed energy can harden the Texas power grid

Natural-gas microgrids and battery-backed solar can hedge against climate change risk — maybe even without major policy changes.

By Jeff St. John . 7 April 2021

Grid edge

California’s patchwork push to scale up virtual power plants

Can a new way to pay for behind-the-meter flexibility help prevent rolling blackouts in California?

Long-duration storage roundup: News, players and technology

How distributed energy can harden the Texas power grid