Efficiency & Demand Response

NACFE envisions more electric trucks for regional hauls

Electric trucks get another boost with a three-year grant.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 24, 2020

Opinion

Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world

Utilities believe they are best positioned to manage the grid if they own and control the data directly, without intermediaries, but Tesla, SunRun and others want to collect and manage the data for their own platform benefits.

By Dan Goldman • Feb. 21, 2020

APS partners with clean energy business group to reach 100% carbon-free target

The utility will work with Advanced Energy Economy and 13 companies to develop clean energy solutions that include electrifying transportation, grid flexibility and expanding low-carbon generation capacity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020

Bipartisan energy efficiency bill targets national building code to save consumers an estimated $51B

Despite the potential consumer savings, the legislation is facing criticism from the National Association of Home Builders for the potential harm to housing affordability.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2020

Ameren's hourly pricing program could reduce EV charging costs 50%, study finds

The dynamic pricing program, based on day-ahead prices in the Midcontinent ISO, has already saved Illinois residential consumers more than $12 million, according to the utility.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2020

Lime pledges zero-emission operations fleet by 2030

The company is looking to further its sustainability efforts following a 2019 study that called out operators' use of gas-powered re-distribution vans.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 10, 2020

State regulators need cyclical reviews to get the most out of utility performance incentive mechanisms: Report

Upending utility business models is more easily done with complementary state policies and continuous improvement of incentives, according to Energy Innovation and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 04, 2020

Largest EV charging study pinpoints grid risks, solutions for utilities

Charge the North is examining grid risks from a rising number of EVs, while a recent SEPA study assessed which factors increase enrollment in utilty EV rates, experts said at Distributech.

By Larry Pearl • Feb. 03, 2020

ACEEE: Honolulu, NYC lead clean energy resilience plans

A study found few cities include comprehensive initiatives for energy efficiency or renewable power in their resilience strategies.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 03, 2020

House Dems put climate at center of $760B infrastructure plan

The Moving Forward Framework would invest heavily in roads, transit and water systems, with efforts to cut emissions woven throughout.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 31, 2020

Xcel assesses non-wires alternatives to distribution upgrade as it enters new proceedings in Colorado, Minnesota

The utility teamed up with the Electric Power Research Institute, finding the use of storage and demand response could defer the need to upgrade a feeder on its system, Distributech attendees heard Jan. 28.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 30, 2020

Los Angeles commits to 100% electric sanitation fleet by 2035. Other cities aren't ready to follow

LASAN Director Enrique Zaldivar pledged to procure only electric vehicles in two years and gradually convert the fleet. While the market continues to evolve, adoption is far from widespread.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

Seattle to test paying for commercial building efficiency through long-term PPAs

Seattle City Light will pay around $0.08/kWh for "efficiency energy" under long-term power purchase agreements similar to contracts for renewables.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2020

Automakers: New tech, battery advances will curb EV range anxiety

Automakers including Ford, Volkswagen and Chevrolet gathered at the Washington Auto Show on Thursday to display new EV offerings and discuss consumer outreach strategies.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 24, 2020

New Jersey proposes utilities recover lost revenues, earn bonuses for beating energy savings targets

Utilities would recover lost revenues attributable to energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs, while earning bonuses (or incurring penalties) for performance around targets.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2020

Amazon, Lime part of new alliance to accelerate EVs

The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance will demand production of new EV models and infrastructure, especially in the delivery and shipping sectors. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 23, 2020

Deep Dive

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

Wide gap seen in energy efficiency costs between public utility customer classes, but overall spending rising

A recent study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory pegs the overall cost of public power energy savings at $0.024/kWh — but for residential customers, costs are significantly higher.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020

Deep Dive

2020 Outlook: From light bulbs to dishwashers, court battles to continue on DOE's efficiency moves

The U.S. Department of Energy's appliance standards program turned into a policy lightning rod in 2019. Experts anticipate more of the same.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020

Mercom: VC funds are increasingly investing in energy storage

Meanwhile, venture capital spending on energy efficiency dipped from $1.5 billion in 2018 to $298 million last year, though the 2018 results were skewed by a single mega deal and funding has been on an overall downward trend.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 21, 2020

New York regulators recommend charging infrastructure plan expected to deliver $2.6B in net benefits

The program will cover up to 90% of costs for "make-ready" charging stations to lower cost barriers for developers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2020

DOE energy efficiency thresholds will endanger appliance standards, critics say

Trump says he wants to make dishes "beautiful" again, but efficiency advocates warn his administration is gutting regulations that could save billions in energy costs.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020

New York says new renewables financing option to reduce developers' financial risk, save $4.6B

In addition to updating how renewable energy projects in the state are funded, the Public Service Commission directed $2 billion in utility energy efficiency and building electrification spending.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 17, 2020

New Jersey sets high standard with passage of EV incentive bill, advocates say

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy promised to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in two weeks detailing how the state would reach its goal of a 100% clean energy economy by 2050.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 15, 2020

Most utilities aren't getting full value from smart meters, report warns

Utilities are spending billions on smart meters, but most are not taking full advantage of their energy-saving capabilities, according to a new analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2020