Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response
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Sponsored by ecobee3 steps to improving demand response participation for income-qualified customers
Clean energy is necessary for all communities, addressing energy equity is crucial for utilities.
June 5, 2023 -
Bipartisan group of senators warns DOE not to make transformer shortage worse with new efficiency rule
The Department of Energy is “open to exploring both supply- and demand-side solutions to encourage further manufacturing of distribution transformers,” an agency spokesperson said.
By Robert Walton • June 2, 2023 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Yujin Kim, Industry Dive
TrendlineElectrification and EVs
Transportation electrification is getting a major boost from the Inflation Reduction Act as well as various federal, state and local policies. But while momentum is growing, significant challenges lie ahead.
By Utility Dive staff -
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Treating power demand like supply in wholesale markets could boost grid reliability, lower prices: ESIG
Aligning grid needs with demand will become more important as renewable penetration increases and widespread electrification occurs, according to the Energy Systems Integration Group.
By Robert Walton • May 31, 2023 -
Tamir Kalifa/Stringer via Getty Images
As Texas eyes new gas power plants, ‘probably the most important bill for grid reliability is effectively dead’
The likely failure of a bill to expand energy savings targets for investor-owned utilities is a “significant disappointment,” said Cyrus Reed, conservation director of the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter.
By Robert Walton • May 22, 2023 -
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South Carolina could save electricity customers up to $362M a year by joining RTO: The Brattle Group
The current Southeast Energy Exchange Market is limited in benefits compared to a regional transmission organization, the consulting firm said in a report to a legislative committee.
By Diana DiGangi • May 15, 2023 -
Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
Efficiency, demand response could cut Texas winter peak loads 23.5 GW, save billions over new gas: ACEEE
The cost of the programs would be “substantially below” a Texas Senate plan to construct 10,000 MW of new gas-fired capacity, the report concluded.
By Robert Walton • May 12, 2023 -
New efficiency standards for electric motors will save consumers $8.8B over 30 years, DOE says
Along with finalized standards for electric motors, the U.S. Department of Energy announced proposed standards for new dishwashers that are expected to save consumers almost $3 billion.
By Robert Walton • May 10, 2023 -
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Deep DiveHawaii leads the way on advanced rate design with default time-of-use rates, fixed charge innovations
Hawaii’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 -
Insulation vital to electrification effort but ‘DOE completely ignoring’ new tax credits: manufacturers
Insulation manufacturers say the federal government must do a better job educating consumers about the value of multiple-measure efficiency improvements.
By Robert Walton • May 8, 2023 -
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Florida regulators reject adding new cost test to state’s energy efficiency goal-setting process
“There hasn't been a material change” to the state’s energy efficiency goal-setting process in almost 30 years, Andrew Giles Fay, Florida’s top utility regulator, said before the PSC vote.
By Robert Walton • May 4, 2023 -
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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 -
Adobe Stock/James Thew
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 -
Anatoliy Gleb via Getty Images
Rep. Casten, ex-FERC chairs eye DERs, more power sector competition to achieve net zero goals
"We're not going to get to where we need to go with a zero-carbon electric grid unless we have distributed demand-side resources supporting what we need to do on the supply side,” said former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff.
By Diana DiGangi • April 27, 2023 -
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Xcel launches microgrid-based resiliency service for large Minnesota commercial, industrial customers
In Wisconsin, where the Empower Resiliency program was already offered, Xcel reached a deal to develop energy assets to power the Bayfield County jail and courthouse.
By Robert Walton • April 26, 2023 -
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Sponsored by Questline DigitalMultifamily buildings: An untapped opportunity for managing load shifts
Hear how utilities like LADWP, Austin Energy, Seattle City Light and Alliant Energy are successfully engaging with this underserved audience.
April 24, 2023 -
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EPRI launches 3-year initiative to address grid constraints, develop tools to serve coming EV loads
EVs2Scale2030 will develop a timeline of anticipated electric vehicle charging loads, down to the distribution circuit level, said EPRI Director of Transportation Britta Gross.
By Robert Walton • April 19, 2023 -
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Deep DiveWith looming EV load spikes, PG&E, Duke, other utilities adopt new rate design and cost recovery strategies
New dynamic time-varying rates and demand charge adjustments from California to the Carolinas could align customer usage with utility costs to make EVs a system benefit, rate design experts said
By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2023 -
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Sponsored by ecobeeHow to rescue TOU from no man’s land — and make it more useful
Utility companies can take full advantage of the energy savings TOU provides to their grids by integrating consumer retail signals and wholesale value provided by aggregators like ecobee — and help customers save.
April 17, 2023 -
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Climate, consumer groups request Florida PSC hearing to modernize utility efficiency rules
The groups want an “interactive process” for discussing the modernization of the state’s energy efficiency rules, said George Cavros, an energy policy attorney and director with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
By Robert Walton • April 11, 2023 -
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Sponsored by Copper LabsBeyond thermostats: Why behavioral load management will be essential for successful energy decarbonization
As the energy transition drives a need for greater load flexibility, behavioral strategies can be among the most scalable and equitable approaches to demand management.
April 10, 2023 -
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TVA and other Southeastern utilities underinvest in energy efficiency, but federal funding could help: SACE
The report, by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, calls out Tennessee Valley Authority’s lack of efficiency investment in particular. The utility says its programs “have achieved a proven track record of results.”
By Robert Walton • March 29, 2023 -
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New efficiency standards for air conditioners, air purifiers will save consumers up to $25B by 2055: DOE
The new standards will go into effect in two phases, beginning in 2024, and the U.S. Department of Energy expects them to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 106 million metric tons over 30 years.
By Robert Walton • March 27, 2023 -
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Record-high electricity prices fail to boost residential energy management programs: JD Power
Time-of-use rates can help to engage customers with energy conservation programs, but utilities must be careful to explain how the new pricing structure works.
By Robert Walton • March 22, 2023 -
Backyard Production via Getty Images
World hurtling toward critical global warming benchmark, but IPCC report highlights clean energy potential
For the electric sector, demand-side management technologies could play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by the IPCC.
By Robert Walton • March 21, 2023 -
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NREL to test real-time utility meter data as resilience solution amid rising renewable energy adoption
As larger percentages of renewables dominate the grid, access to real-time data will become more important for avoiding outages and maintaining reliability, said Dan Forman, CEO of project partner Copper Labs.
By Emma Penrod • March 9, 2023
