Efficiency & Demand Response
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Rocky Mountain Power proposes 600-battery apartment building among trio of Utah DSM projects
In a filing with state regulators earlier this month, the utility also proposed an intermodal charging station that would meet the needs of light rail, bus, passenger, truck and ride hailing services.
By Robert Walton • March 20, 2019 -
OpinionWhat happened to agricultural demand response?
Agricultural loads, with their potential flexibility, can help improve grid stability and reduce costs for utilities and ratepayers as energy markets move into a future of increasingly distributed, 100% renewable energy generation.
By Arian Aghajanzadeh • March 20, 2019 -
Kansas regulators reject mandating smart meter opt-out programs
The State Corporation Commission also determined the use of smart meters "cannot pose a threat to a customer's personally identifiable information," and would not create health risks or fire hazards.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 19, 2019 -
Podcast
EPS Ep. 9: DOE renewables chief vows support for office amid proposed budget cuts
Assistant Secretary Dan Simmons used to work for an organization that advocated the elimination of the office he currently heads. Now he says he supports DOE's renewable energy mission.
By Gavin Bade • March 19, 2019 -
Smart Electric Power Alliance launches EV research program
Members of the Transportation Electrification program will work to ensure EVs' long-term success, with the likes of Ford involved in the effort.
By Chris Teale • March 13, 2019 -
Trump budget again seeks deep cuts to EPA, DOE renewables research
The budget would eliminate ARPA-E and cut the DOE energy efficiency and renewables office by more than two-thirds — proposals Congress has already twice rejected.
By Gavin Bade • March 11, 2019 -
OpinionBQDM program demonstrates benefits of non-traditional utility investments
Con Edison's Brooklyn Queens Demand Management project creates a win-win-win scenario for the utility, third-party companies and customers, highlighting advantages of non-traditional solutions.
By Coley Girouard • March 11, 2019 -
Michigan ALJ proposes solar compromise in DTE rate case
The administrative law judge recommended eliminating the fee requested by the utility for solar users while lowering the compensation rate for rooftop solar.
By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019 -
DOE plans to complete 13 of 16 delayed efficiency standards in 'coming months'
A spokesperson said the standards include rules for clothes dryers, cooking products and electric motors, but did not provide further details.
By Gavin Bade • March 07, 2019 -
DER integration to fuel energy efficiency growth, reports find
Growing synergies between distributed energy resources and efficiency programs will drive spending, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 4.6% over the next decade, according to new research from Navigant.
By Robert Walton • March 06, 2019 -
ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer
The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 06, 2019 -
AEP launches electric utility tech accelerator to identify 'compelling' startups
American Electric Power's initiative with innovation specialist L Marks will be a 10-week bootcamp-style energy summit focused on accelerating the development of grid solutions.
By Robert Walton • March 05, 2019 -
New resource library helps cities boost buildings' energy efficiency
The scalable guidelines from the Institute for Market Transformation and the Natural Resources Defense Council are based on results from strategies tested in 20 U.S. cities.
By Katie Pyzyk • March 05, 2019 -
Sponsored4 things businesses need from their energy provider
Retail energy providers are uniquely positioned to offer industry innovation. Here’s what businesses should look for in 2019.
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Deep DiveHow new ideas of mobility will shape public EV charging infrastructure
The future of mobility will be autonomous and electric, with more people opting not to own a vehicle. That means ride- and car-sharing services will need to play a role in helping utilities roll out charging infrastructure.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2019 -
TVA staff sees no need to add solar capacity until 2023
"There was a strategy in the draft IRP to promote efficient load shape and it emphasized energy efficiency, demand response, electrification and storage," said Jane Elliott, part of TVA's enterprise planning group.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 27, 2019 -
Deep DiveSEU 2019 survey: Uncertainty mounts in the clean energy transition
Utilities are still moving to a cleaner, more distributed power system, but our annual survey shows they are increasingly unsure about what types of regulation and market structures they want to foster the transition.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2019 -
Maine settlement could pave way for Canadian hydro in New England
The New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line faces a challenging road to approval, despite the support of Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2019 -
Seattle mayor proposes EV readiness requirement for all new buildings
Jenny Durkan said they should be equipped for EV charging, and a certain number of new parking spaces must have the wiring and outlets to be ready for chargers.
By Jason Plautz • Feb. 21, 2019 -
Brattle study shows utilities could save billions through competition on transmission revamps
Only 2% of transmission infrastructure projects went through a competitive process, but higher savings could be achieved.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: March 1, 2019 at 2:26 p.m. -
SponsoredStorage + efficiency for C&I demand management
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) adds 26% efficiency and sheds 300-500 kW for 13 hours/day in commercial & industrial facilities.
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Iowa regulators OK significant cuts in MidAmerican efficiency spending
The Iowa Utilities Board approved a $256 million, five-year plan — less than half the amount approved for MidAmerican in 2013 — following passage of a law last year that capped utility efficiency spending.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 20, 2019 -
Senate bill targets significant savings from gas demand response amid supply challenges
The legislation, introduced by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Angus King, I-Maine, includes $10 million for pilot programs aimed at reducing market price volatility.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019 -
DOE proposal to change how it sets efficiency standards creates new hurdles, advocates say
Updates to the Process Rule would give manufacturers a "carte blanche to write the rules for how efficiency is measured," according to Appliance Standards Awareness Project's Andrew deLaski.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019 -
Ameren files $6.3B grid transformation plan with Missouri regulators
The largest line item in the proposal is a $1.9 billion investment in "smart, reliable grid operations," which covers a wide range of initiatives, including distributed solar and energy storage.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019
