Efficiency & Demand Response

Deep Dive

2021 Outlook: The DER boom continues, driving a 'reimagining' of the distribution system

The rise of distributed resources will require a renewed distribution system that gives utilities more visibility of what's going on at the customer level to cut costs and protect reliability. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2021

RMI details urgency of ride-hailing electrification

In an insight brief, the nonprofit listed technological capability, financial competitiveness and charging infrastructure as the three major barriers to TNC electrification.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 08, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Electrification and EVs

The trend toward increased electrification in transportation, buildings and other sectors continued to increase in 2020, but while momentum is growing, various challenges lie ahead.

By Utility Dive staff

Massachusetts Gov. Baker vetoes climate legislation, citing unsupported mandates

The bill sets a statewide net zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, includes new renewable energy targets and efficiency standards, and codifies environmental justice provisions into state law.

By Robert Walton • UPDATED: Jan. 15, 2021 at 10:09 a.m.

Lion Electric's journey to the NYSE, explained

Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, are trendy, and they have been helping green truck companies go public.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 06, 2021

Deep Dive

Two barriers to utility and customer savings with flexible loads and how regulators can help

Utilities, regulators and load flexibility authorities say better distribution system control technologies and compensation are needed to increase the use of flexible customer-sited resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 06, 2021

Top Utility Trends of 2020

Amid significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the power sector's transition to a cleaner, more distributed future continues.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 05, 2021

Northeast states, DC sign MOU to reduce transportation emissions

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, DC, are the first jurisdictions to implement the Transportation and Climate Initiative's cap-and-invest program.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 23, 2020

California tops ACEEE energy efficiency scorecard

This is the first report since 2010 in which Massachusetts has not held the No. 1 spot, falling to second as California "continued to set the pace in energy savings."

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 17, 2020

Amazon subsidiary Zoox gives first look at its autonomous electric robotaxi

The company said the vehicle is built for "dense, urban environments" and can reach up to 75 miles per hour in both directions.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 16, 2020

South Carolina directs Dominion to model early coal fleet retirement, pre-2026 additions of solar and storage

State regulators ordered the utility to analyze early coal plant closures amid considerations to retrofit its Williams and Wateree plants, as well as adding demand side management and clean energy resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Jan. 5, 2021 at 9:33 a.m.

Electric vehicle models expected to triple in 4 years as declining battery costs boost adoption

Electric vehicles are approaching cost parity with traditional gas-powered vehicles, but experts disagree on just how much further battery prices must drop.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2020

Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say

President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to 1 million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2020

Opinion

Utility regulators wake up to the long-term risks of gas

Regulators are open to changing the status quo and pushing for building electrification, writes Rocky Mountain Institute Principal Mike Henchen.

By Mike Henchen • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

San Jose, Oakland join growing list of California cities to ban natural gas construction

These measures add to more than 40 California cities that have updated building electrification codes — yet a "controversial exemption" in San Jose could turn the tide.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 04, 2020

Trump 'midnight regulations' may hinder Biden efforts to advance energy efficiency, advocates say

Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., says updating energy efficiency standards will be a "top priority" but warns comprehensive legislation may not pass with the narrow balance of power in Congress.

By Robert Walton • UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2020 at 1:32 p.m.

Accelerated electrification inevitable, but tech, deployment must meet local needs: report

California cities San Jose and Oakland each banned natural gas in new building construction this week, but experts warn policies must be developed carefully.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 03, 2020

Boston roadmap details 10-minute EV access for all

The roadmap hinges on three key goals: widespread adoption of electrification, affordable and convenient access to charging infrastructure, and electrification of Boston's municipal fleet.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 25, 2020

Making the case to the C-suite for electric trucks

Fleets have work to do before electric Class 8 trucks hit the mass market — and company culture is part of that.

By Heather Larson • Nov. 25, 2020

Deep Dive

​From Maryland to California and beyond, rate design innovations are boosting the energy transition

Success with time-of-use rates can allow utilities to start integrating more variable and distributed generation, leading to more sophisticated time-varying rates that allow for the further expansion of such generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 25, 2020

Climate progress in power, 5 other sectors too slow to limit global warming: report

The World Resources Institute and ClimateWorks said efforts to bolster electrification and renewable energy must accelerate, while deforestation and agricultural production raised red flags.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 23, 2020

Deep Dive

Why capital markets are continuing to finance utilities facing rising flood and other climate change impacts

In a sample of 18 utility disclosures on climate risks analyzed by Utility Dive, 13 stated flooding and heavy storms were a short-to-mid term threat.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2020

Fleets lack motivation to invest in electric trucks

Many fleets are waiting for the market to mature, and unknowns make it difficult to calculate the total cost of ownership.

By Sarah Fuller • Nov. 19, 2020

Energy efficiency advocates see $1.1T in savings potential with Biden directing DOE

Under a Joe Biden presidency, efficiency advocates say the U.S. Department of Energy could move swiftly to strengthen appliance standards.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2020

California begins to shape vehicle-grid integration strategy, considers using EVs during power shut-offs

A proposed decision to create a framework is the biggest tangible action that regulators have taken on vehicle-grid integration, an attorney said ahead of CPUC approval.  

By Kavya Balaraman • UPDATED: Dec. 21, 2020 at 9:59 a.m.