Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response

  • Podcast cover for 'How Utilities Are Planning for Demand' featuring logos for WSP, POWER Engineers, and Utility Dive. The background shows power transmission towers and lines under a starry sky with an orange horizon.
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    William Walker/Utility Dive
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    Sponsored by POWER Engineers, member of WSP

    [Podcast] How Utilities Are Planning for Demand

    This podcast explores how utilities are meeting rising power demand with smart planning and strategies for the grid of tomorrow.

    By Utility Dive's studioID • Nov. 27, 2025
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    New York faces ‘significant reliability shortfalls’: NYISO

    The report doesn’t identify actionable reliability needs, but NYISO warned that this doesn’t guarantee long-term system adequacy and suggested changing its procedures for identifying reliability needs.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    AI in the Power Sector

    Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

    By Utility Dive staff
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    Permission granted by University of Rhode Island / Seth Pilotte
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    University of Rhode Island to use geothermal system after test success

    The university used a grant from its utility to drill a test well that showed a geothermal system could potentially cut heating and cooling costs in half or more.

    By Joe Burns • Nov. 24, 2025
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    Retrieved from House Energy and Commerce Committee.
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    Bills to weaken DOE efficiency programs advance

    Republican lawmakers say the proposals will make housing and appliances more affordable and improve consumer choice. Energy efficiency advocates say they will raise consumer energy costs.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    PJM stakeholders fail to agree on data center interconnection rules

    The PJM Interconnection’s board may develop a proposal for new rules to interconnect large loads to the grid, but the timing is unclear.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
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    Some load forecasts using ‘unrealistically high load factors’: Grid Strategies VP

    “It's very challenging, at this point in time, for load forecasts to be accurate,” said Grid Strategies Vice President John Wilson.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
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    Julie Denesha via Getty Images
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    Winter peak demand is rising faster than resource additions: NERC

    Batteries and demand response make up the bulk of new resources heading into this winter, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Tuesday. Following capacity changes in some markets, wind resources declined.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
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    Sponsored by nVent

    How engineered building solutions support data center technologies to deliver AI workloads

    Modular control buildings drive scalable growth for AI-ready data centers.

    By Damian Mannino • Nov. 17, 2025
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Constellation Energy looks to demand response to accommodate load growth

    A lot of Constellation’s customers have shown interest in demand response products, and the pipeline for that “looks really strong right now,” said Chief Commercial Officer Jim McHugh.

    By • Nov. 12, 2025
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    Opinion

    Data centers can stack sustainability, energy innovations

    Data center developers should seize opportunities to benefit communities and the environment, write a former Ohio member of Congress and a sixth-generation farmer.

    By Tim Ryan and Shawn Cutter • Nov. 12, 2025
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Opinion

    How we talk about next-gen electric vehicles matters for key regulations

    To reduce the administrative burden on all parties, regulators and utilities must explicitly distinguish between an EV that is merely “capable” of bi-directional charging and one that is actively enabled, writes Bill Crider of Ford Motor Co.

    By Bill Crider • Nov. 10, 2025
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    Igor Borisenko/iStock

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    Sponsored by Sierra Wireless

    How network diversity protects utility operations in an evolving landscape

    Comprehensive network diversity is essential for utilities to enable reliable grid communications today while protecting long-term investments as networks evolve.

    Nov. 10, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    The week in 5 numbers: Gas valuations soar, but solar leads new capacity

    Other figures show a continued contraction in manufacturing, rising wind prices and interest in 765-kV power lines.

    By • Nov. 7, 2025
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    DOE rules banning sale of non-condensing water heaters and furnaces can stand, court says

    Gas industry groups say they’ll challenge the decision. Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, called the ruling “a triumph for consumers.”

    By Robert Freedman • Nov. 6, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    CPower says its load relief more than doubled, to 38 GWh

    With about 6.7 GW of distributed energy resources under contract, CPower, which is owned by LS Power, is one of the largest virtual power plant platforms in the country.

    By • Updated Nov. 6, 2025
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    Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive
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    Deep Dive

    What the last gas boom (and bust) says about today’s rush to build

    Gas power M&A valuations have doubled since 2024, but new generation remains a risky investment, analysts say.

    By , • Nov. 4, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    US falls 1 place in ACEEE’s global energy efficiency rankings

    The country improved its total score in the organization’s recurring ranking by making “significant reductions in energy intensity and substantial investments in energy efficiency,” but it lost ground as other countries made larger gains. 

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    In an era of rising rates, policies to strengthen power system flexibility can lower costs

    The right policies can provide grid flexibility, which reduces demand-driven rate spikes and protects consumers while allowing utilities to build out the grid, experts say.

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Mainstreaming AI data center flexibility

    Software solutions can protect AI workload service-level agreements and still allow data centers to respond to grid needs, writes Arushi Sharma Frank, adviser to Emerald AI.

    By Arushi Sharma Frank • Oct. 29, 2025
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    In ‘unusual’ move, DOE proposes rule to expand FERC’s authority over large loads

    Reactions were mixed. Analysts said they expected investor-owned utilities and possibly some states to object, while a former FERC chair questioned the impact on grid reliability and costs for other customers. 

    By • Oct. 24, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Renewing the case for energy efficiency: a grid resource, customer trust tool and economic engine

    Efficiency and broader demand-side management strategies are powerful tools for grid planning that offer flexibility, speed and cost control, writes ICF’s Justin Mackovyak.

    By Justin Mackovyak • Oct. 24, 2025
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    Maryland’s EmPOWER efficiency program not meeting low-income goals: OPC

    Most utilities in the state are on track to meet emissions goals associated with the efficiency program. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is not.

    By • Oct. 22, 2025
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    Courtesy of NineDot Energy
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    US energy storage market looks resilient amid global growth: BNEF

    Despite new foreign sourcing restrictions, reduced policy and trade uncertainty has brightened the outlook for U.S. storage players, the energy research firm said Monday.

    By Brian Martucci • Oct. 21, 2025
  • Nissan and Volkswagen electric cars sit parked at a Charge Point EV charging station.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    To keep power affordable, regulators must rethink who pays — and when

    A growing body of evidence shows that widespread residential electrification can actually reduce average rates, but only under the right conditions, write Becky Li and Joe Daniel of RMI. 

    By Becky Li and Joe Daniel • Oct. 20, 2025
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    Courtesy of Google
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    Portland General Electric invests in AI-powered flexibility to speed data center connection

    The utility is working with startup GridCARE to help data centers plug into transmission-constrained grids without waiting for new infrastructure, executives said.

    By Brian Martucci • Oct. 20, 2025