Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response
-
Jaskaran Kooner via Getty Images
Deep Dive3 big advances coming as distributed energy resources take newer, bigger roles in 2023
Analysts foresee DER growth in 2023 at the wholesale market and retail distribution system levels as communities and local leaders demand more reliability and resilience.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2023 -
Maria Turova via Getty Images
Louisiana, North Carolina, Colorado would benefit most from stronger building energy codes: ACEEE
Updated building codes could cut energy costs in new homes by at least 20% in 16 states, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2023 -
Explore the Trendlineā
simpson33 via Getty Images
TrendlineCustomer Engagement/Service/Behavioral Energy Efficiency/DSM
Utilities are using a variety of new resources and strategies to engage with customers, drive energy efficiency and manage demand, drawing on everything from electric vehicles to new rate designs.
By Utility Dive staff -
Courtesy of Kiwi Power
RMI partners with General Motors, Google Nest for initiative to promote and support virtual power plants
A coalition launched Tuesday aims to spur broader adoption of the virtual power plant concept by bringing together distributed energy industry stakeholders and policymakers.
By Emma Penrod • Jan. 11, 2023 -
Samsungās home energy management system is 1st mass-market offering to receive ENERGY STAR certification
Smart energy management systems will allow homeowners to “track and automate everything from their lighting to their thermostat use to optimize for energy savings,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2023 -
DOE proposes new efficiency rules for distribution transformers, potentially saving consumers $15B
Because so much electricity passes through transformers, experts say that even small efficiency improvements can significantly reduce emissions and create savings.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2023 -
Aranga87/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
OpinionThe hidden barrier to V2X: How states and utilities can open the floodgates for bidirectional EV charging
Avoid reinventing the wheel, minimize unnecessary review, and provide flexible service connection and interconnection options.
By Ed Burgess and Dan Bowerson • Dec. 22, 2022 -
onurdongel via Getty Images
US smart meter penetration continues steady growth, tops 100M in operation: FERC
Growth in smart meter penetration means utilities will likely continue to increase enrollments in demand response and dynamic pricing programs.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2022 -
Sens. Shaheen, Portman urge Biden administration to update efficiency standards for federally-backed homes
“It makes no sense for the federal government to continue supporting the construction of unsustainable, inefficient housing,” said Elizabeth Beardsley, senior policy counsel for the U.S. Green Building Council.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2022 -
simpson33 via Getty Images
Opinion
Prioritizing energy efficiency to combat the climate crisis
The lack of focus on energy efficiency as a solution is not new but is becoming increasingly problematic, writes Metrus Energy CEO Bob Hinkle.
By Bob Hinkle • Dec. 20, 2022 -
istockphoto.com/Kriangsak Koopattanakij
Department of Energy proposes 120 lumens/watt standard for general service light bulbs
Consumers would save up to $20 billion across a 30-year span if the rule is finalized, DOE estimated.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2022 -
EPA proposes rule to cut HFC use, speed transition to efficient heating and cooling technologies
The cost savings “largely result from improved energy efficiency and lower cost refrigerants,” EPA said.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2022 -
Westend61 via Getty Images
Sponsored by OracleILLUME Report: Behavioral programs provide enduring decarbonization results
What really influences behavioral performance success at scale? Illume has answers.
By Paul McDonald, Senior Director for Product Strategy, Oracle Energy and Water • Dec. 10, 2022 -
onurdongel via Getty Images
Florida PSC approves Dukeās fixed bill offering with demand response component
To participate, customers must have “a load profile that can be modeled with reasonable predictability,” the Public Service Commission said, along with meeting other requirements.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2022 -
Getty Images
California tops ACEEEās energy efficiency scorecard as states shift focus to equity, decarbonization
States falling behind in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s annual rankings are not increasing their energy savings annually and do not have a strong focus on energy equity.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2022 -
Stein Photo via Getty Images
SCE mismanaged energy efficiency program, California regulators find, ordering $76M customer rebate
The California Public Utilities Commission concluded that the utility “failed to ensure that efficient light bulbs were tracked and sold as intended by the program design.”
By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 2, 2022 -
Permission granted by Christi Lofton
Biden administration makes $80M available to lower energy consumption of public schools
The initial round of funding by the $500 million Renew America’s Schools grant program is available to the “highest-need K-12 districts across the country,” the U.S. Department of Energy said.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 30, 2022 -
iStock/Getty via Getty Images
New York and 4 other US cities target building energy use, emissions with fines, Moodyās reports
San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston and St. Louis are also poised to implement penalties to curb building-level greenhouse gas emissions or energy use.
By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 30, 2022 -
Elenathewise via Getty Images
Deep DiveHigh electricity rates impede crucial but costly technology investments to manage rising DER levels: utilities
Utilities want distribution system technologies for more DER visibility and control. But advocates want a new national stakeholder dialogue about the timing of spending for DER integration.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 29, 2022 -
Getty Images
Biden administration makes $550M available for community-based clean energy projects
The funds must be used to implement energy efficiency and conservation strategies but can include a range of investments, from electric vehicle infrastructure to energy audits to building code development.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2022 -
House lawmakers, advocates want $5B to help Puerto Rico install rooftop solar, storage systems
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers in the House have called for an emergency supplemental spending bill to provide clean energy for underserved Puerto Rican households.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 22, 2022 -
Utilities are spending more on low-income efficiency programs, but disparities remain: ACEEE
The group wants to see energy efficiency programs reach all eligible low-income households with comprehensive energy upgrades over the next 20 years.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2022 -
Cindy Shebley via Getty Images
Texas moves ahead with expanded 80 MW distributed energy resource pilot designed to boost grid reliability
Initial discussions had considered a 10 MW limit on the pilot. “What it shows to me is that we're conservative in the way we think about how we ensure reliability,” said Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2022 -
Sunrun to develop 17-MW virtual power plant for Puerto Ricoās electric utility, connecting 7,000 homes
Sunrun says the virtual power plant will be the first large-scale distributed solar resource on the island and is expected to be operational in 2024.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2022 -
roc8jas via Getty Images
Electric utilities arenāt doing enough to address inequities in todayās power system, advocates say
How are companies, regulators, NGOs and others ensuring that the energy transition is equitable?
By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2022 -
Bilanol via Getty Images
Clean energy supply bottlenecks hit overburdened communities the hardest, utilities and advocates say
The Inflation Reduction Act and an equity focus should help reverse the trend, however.
By Elizabeth McCarthy • Oct. 27, 2022
