California could see far lower costs to prepare grid for electrification than prior estimate, state research finds

Preliminary research from California’s Public Advocates Office estimates the costs at up to $20 billion by 2035, compared with $50 billion projected by Kevala, in part because of different forecasts on EV charging. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 13, 2023

DOE announces $192M for battery recycling, says lithium storage market could grow tenfold by 2030

Rapid growth in the lithium battery market is being driven by growing adoption of electric vehicles and the need for stationary storage, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

As states differ on the benefits of Bitcoin, is there a solution to its climate and power-system impacts?

Bitcoin miners’ 24/7 electricity need and financial focus raise red flags for climate activists about increased fossil fuel use, but some miners are starting to see a new solution in clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2023

US residential heat pump sales pass gas furnaces for first time as interest in efficiency tech surges: IEA

The International Energy Agency also said in its report, Energy Efficiency - The Decade for Action, that electric vehicle sales in the U.S. rose 55% last year.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2023

As states vie for billions in EV investments, how can they ensure the transition is equitable for all?

Policymakers should consider providing robust transition support for longtime autoworkers by creating a transition support fund and rapid response team to address job losses and supporting retraining opportunities.

By Devashree Saha and Dan Lashof • June 7, 2023

EPA memo clarifies handling and permitting requirements for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion battery disposal should be managed as hazardous waste as more of the batteries are produced and more companies expand to manage the end-of-life material, EPA said.

By Megan Quinn • June 6, 2023

Colorado sets building electrification goals for Xcel Energy, phases out subsidies for some gas appliances

Xcel said it plans to propose a demand-side management and beneficial electrification plan later this year to meet the new targets.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2023

Full industrial electrification could more than double US power demand. Here’s how renewables can meet it.

Accelerating industrial electrification requires policymakers to ensure increased electricity demand is supplied with new least-cost clean generation in rural areas with high-quality renewable resources.

By Eric Gimon • May 31, 2023

$400M for low-emission school buses available from EPA grant program

The zero- and low-emission school bus funding has a “particular focus on reducing air pollution in disadvantaged communities overburdened by dirty air," said David Cash, EPA New England regional administrator.

By Stephen Singer • May 30, 2023

With $200M for electric vehicles, Minnesota aims to boost ownership, charging infrastructure

To increase EV adoption, the new state budget provides consumer rebates, auto dealer grants and more funds for the statewide EV charging network.

By Dan Zukowski • May 26, 2023

Biden’s new EV mandate needs private sector participation to succeed

Private businesses will always be at a competitive disadvantage so long as utilities remain free to levy demand charges and box out their competitors.

By Jamey French • May 26, 2023

Xcel Energy plan to build 460 EV fast-charging stations in Colorado angers retailers, other charging proponents

The utility’s plan includes a “rental option” for battery energy storage systems to pair with third-party-owned fast-charging stations.

By Robert Walton • May 25, 2023

PG&E, BMW expand managed charging partnership to focus on V2X technologies

Pacific Gas and Electric wants to use electric vehicles in virtual power plants to help meet peak demand using only renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2023

Energy Department cancels $200M Microvast battery grant

Republican lawmakers accused the Houston-area battery maker of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

By Sara Samora • May 24, 2023

DOE funds $87M of EV projects from GM, Deere, others; details additional $99.5M opportunity

The largest award went to General Motors: $7.5 million to develop a new kind of multilevel inverter integrated electric drive system.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2023

California truck emissions rules appear poised to spread across North America

EV truck makers Hyliion and Lion Electric believe many states will adopt similar regulations to those drawing industry concerns.

By David Taube • May 19, 2023

AlphaStruxure partners with Maryland county on first East Coast bus depot to produce green hydrogen

Construction on the depot, which will serve a fleet of 200 hydrogen buses through an electrolyzer, is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2025.

By Patrick Cooley • May 18, 2023

NREL energy audit tool may help cities meet climate, building decarbonization goals

Local governments often lack the staff and resources to conduct energy audits on thousands of buildings, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Lab said, but technology can help overcome those challenges.

By Joe Burns • May 17, 2023

Biogas groups, lawmakers jockey for changes as EPA nears final rule to bring EVs into biofuel RIN market

Republicans expressed skepticism in an April 25 letter to EPA about the agency’s authority to create a new branch of the Renewable Fuel Standard related to electricity markets rather than traditional fuels.

By Jacob Wallace • May 12, 2023

Hawai’i leads the way on advanced rate design with default time-of-use rates, fixed charge innovations

Hawai’i’s planned granular cost study still must prove to other states that the new TOU rates, fixed charge framework and new way of defining costs will allocate costs accurately, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2023

US, South Korea sign EV battery deal

Last week, GM and South Korea-based battery manufacturer Samsung SDI jointly announced partnering to build a $3 billion U.S. battery production plant.

By Sara Samora • May 4, 2023

Affordable, all-electric and energy-efficient housing gets $15M boost from NYC initiative

The initiative “will demonstrate to the affordable housing market a highly replicable new construction solution,” said Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 3, 2023

EnergyHub, Synop partner to expand revenue opportunities for commercial EV fleets

The partnership will offer utilities a “full, vertically integrated solution” to manage load associated with electric vehicle chargers, said Mark Braby, chief commercial officer at Synop.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2023

Edison International CEO Pizarro backs Western RTO, highlights SCE efforts to prep grid for heavy duty EVs

“We are seeing customers really start to embrace and adopt EVs today, including operators of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets,” Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, said during an earnings call.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 3, 2023

Why EV operations minutiae, not big strategic announcements, will decide the success of the EV transition

The “announce first, solve barriers later” mindset so predominant in the vehicle electrification industry today is a drag on progress.

By Matt Lichtash • May 2, 2023