Efficiency & Demand Response
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OpinionAn unexpected twist to the cannabis revolution
Agriculture production is being shifted to greenhouses and larger production factories and contributing to new demands on the power delivery system.
By Francisco Neto and Doug Houseman • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Deep DiveWhat will electricity pricing look like in 2040?
Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019 -
New CPUC efficiency goals are equivalent to reducing 658,000 cars-worth of GHGs
California's revised targets reflect declining potential in energy efficiency savings from utility rebate programs, due to lighting improvement savings.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2019 -
California OKs $100M SDG&E commercial EV charging plan, testing electric buses as grid assets
The school bus pilot program will test the ability to use electric vehicles as a distributed energy resource to improve the utility's load factor and reduce local air pollution.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019 -
EPA details renewables, efficiency health benefits as DOE slows energy savings progress
The agency says the report's purpose is to give state and local officials a clearer roadmap when developing policies around renewables and energy savings.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Seattle City Council passes resolution advancing Green New Deal
Council members' decision, which lays out various climate-friendly development strategies, was met with a standing ovation from spectators.
By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveRenewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility
New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019 -
OpinionLeading by example: Lawmakers should step up performance contracts on federal buildings
Bills introduced by four members of Congress could send a powerful pro-energy efficiency message across the country.
By Charles Hernick • Aug. 08, 2019 -
What's the best role for utilities as EVs proliferate? With Pepco, DC aims to find the right balance
A Public Service Commission order raises questions about how and if third-party charging companies should be regulated.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 07, 2019 -
OpinionAre codes and standards the missing pieces to drive DR market transformation?
Codifying demand response-ready technologies will help increase their market penetration, reduce implementation costs for DR programs, and provide vendors with clear and standardized technology requirements.
By Lucas Schroyer • Aug. 07, 2019 -
California opens $1B in efficiency funding to electrification
The California Public Utilities Commission used to discourage substituting electricity for gas. Now, advocates say that's exactly what the state must do.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 02, 2019 -
OpinionUtilities' embrace of DER technologies previews the coming decade of DSM
The utility of the future must actively engage customers through demand side management initiatives, according to Navigant, which identified eight key drivers for evolving energy efficiency and demand response programs.
By Jessie Mehrhoff • July 31, 2019 -
Senate committee unanimously approves $1 billion for EV, natural gas and hydrogen fuel infrastructure
President Trump tweeted support for the bill Tuesday morning, saying "it will have BIG IMPACT on our highways and roads all across our Nation."
By Max Witynski • July 31, 2019 -
Senators propose national efficiency standard to save 22% of electric utility energy by 2035
The measure could generate $150 billion in net savings by 2030, according to efficiency advocates.
By Robert Walton • July 26, 2019 -
Bipartisan efficiency legislation targets buildings, industry and federal government
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, have introduced efficiency legislation together for years with little success. Advocates say the new bill is the best yet, but it faces builder opposition.
By Robert Walton • July 22, 2019 -
Cincinnati to add more EVs to its city fleet
The city is also engaging in programs to increase citizens' awareness of and exposure to EVs through partnerships with local and regional bodies.
By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2019 -
Rockefeller grant to tackle 'energy poverty' in emerging economies
Four universities split the $3.8 million grant to use data to predict electricity demand in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
By Jason Plautz • July 17, 2019 -
Colorado regulators cancel Black Hills Energy TOU pilot amid concerns for low-income customers
The PUC chairman suggested combining TOU with demand side management could better empower low income customers to take control of their bills.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 17, 2019 -
Toyota to partner with world's largest electric car battery supplier
The partnership will help Toyota secure supply in an increasingly competitive race to scale up EV production in the next five to 10 years.
By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2019 -
Tendril targets utility customer care trend, merges into a new platform
The company shifted its strategy from acquiring market leaders to providing end-to-end service to customers through a more integrated load management platform.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 16, 2019 -
VW and Ford expand partnership on EVs, AVs
Volkswagen will invest $2.6 billion in Argo AI, signaling the latest collaboration between major automakers adapting to new mobility trends.
By Jason Plautz • July 15, 2019 -
Arizona's new EV growth plan could save customers billions, groups say
State regulators on Thursday approved guidelines for electric vehicle pilot programs that include a focus on infrastructure, education and outreach as well as an analysis of where to locate charging stations.
By Robert Walton • July 12, 2019 -
US Green Building Council seeks proposals to strengthen new LEED standard
The council wants input on how to shape the next version of its rating system following the April release of v4.1.
By Kim Slowey • July 12, 2019 -
Home Energy Reports: Still the 'biggest, baddest way' to drive customer behavior
Tweaking customer behavior is becoming more imperative and a combination of solutions basically tells customers, "You suck at using energy. Come buy a smart thermostat."
By Robert Walton • July 10, 2019 -
National parks get EV chargers through BMW partnership
One hundred EV chargers are being installed at parks across the country with industry-standard plugs for use across different brands.
By Jason Plautz • July 10, 2019
