Efficiency & Demand Response

Tesla works with suppliers to source alternative chips for EVs amid semiconductor shortage

The approach helped the automaker produce and deliver 200,000 electric vehicles in Q2, but it warned the workaround could be difficult to sustain.

By Max Garland • Aug. 02, 2021

Despite limited participation, advocates see potential for Northeast transportation cap-and-invest plan

Only four of the over a dozen original participants in the Transportation and Climate Initiative signed on to a final program to cut transportation emissions. Backers say there's still a bright future.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 02, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management

Utilities are using a variety of new resources and connected devices to balance the grid and meet demand, drawing on everything from smart thermostats to large-scale batteries.

By Utility Dive staff

Biden DOE continues to undo Trump efficiency rule changes with proposed testing revisions

The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed removing changes that made it easier for appliance makers to receive waivers from energy efficiency testing.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2021

Milton fraud charges deal another blow to electric truck maker Nikola's reputation

Federal authorities' indictment of the original equipment manufacturer's founder is unlikely to test the market's faith in electric trucks.

By Jim Stinson • July 30, 2021

Murkowski highlights potential boost to US critical minerals ahead of bipartisan infrastructure deal

Senators voted 67-32 to advance the latest version of the bipartisan infrastructure deal, securing the support of 17 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 29, 2021

Indiana DOT, Purdue developing wireless EV charging for highways

The aim is to create the first paved highway segment that contains contactless, wireless technologies to charge electric vehicles as they drive over it.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2021

Tesla further delays Semi production amid component shortages

UPS has the largest single pre-order for 125 Semis, but the logistics provider said it is "waiting on the market."

By S.L. Fuller • July 28, 2021

DOE says new building codes to cut energy costs by $138B, but EV backers see failure to advance charging

A requirement that new homes be wired for electric vehicle charging was not included in the final version after the National Association of Home Builders argued such provisions are outside the scope of the codes.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2021

Hyzon targets regional hauls for hydrogen trucks, begins trading on Nasdaq

The company has focused on rolling out trucks in Europe, but CEO Craig Knight expects "substantial uptake in the U.S. market" next year.

By S.L. Fuller • July 20, 2021

ERCOT releases plan to boost reliability after blackouts, as report outlines gas, electric failures

Former PUCT officials called the plan "a good start," but said the state still needs to think about how it can improve demand response and energy efficiency programs.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 14, 2021

DOE to propose first efficiency standards for manufactured homes in almost 25 years

The changes could reduce energy bills for millions of homeowners in mostly rural areas.

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2021

Energy equity depends on data, and experts say there isn't enough of it

Energy testbed Pecan Street is expanding its residential network into Detroit to gather more insights from communities of color regarding the clean energy transition.

By Robert Walton • July 08, 2021

DOE proposes 2nd round of process rule changes to navigate 'maze of obstacles' left behind by Trump

Efficiency advocates say the Trump administration made a series of rule changes that must be undone in order to meet statutory requirements, address climate change and save consumers billions.

By Robert Walton • July 06, 2021

'Electric is not easy': LA, NYC look to build capacity for more battery EVs in refuse fleets

"If I ordered a truck and I got it in nine months, it may sit for 14 months waiting for the ability to plug it in," one Los Angeles sanitation official said at WasteExpo, highlighting the need to focus on the electricity poised to power upgraded fleets.

By Maria Rachal • July 06, 2021

Decarbonize the power sector by 2035? 'I'm skeptical,' NRG VP says of Biden plan

President Joe Biden's administration will spur the growth of renewables and other clean energy technologies, but wholly eliminating power sector emissions by 2035 is a tall order, experts say.

By Robert Walton • July 02, 2021

Groups protest PG&E plan to move away from diesel, as utility forecasts $7.4B in fire investments

Clean energy groups and ratepayer advocates say the utility's plan to reduce the use of temporary diesel generation during public safety power shut-offs through existing demand response programs doesn't go far enough.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 02, 2021

Deep Dive

As utilities risk missing carbon reduction targets, analysts stress need for organizational change

Sierra Club and the Smart Electric Power Alliance published separate analyses on the shortcomings of utilities in their net zero emissions pledges, finding a common solution in new organizational approaches.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 01, 2021

California braces for energy resource shortfalls amid extreme heat and drought

Customer conservation and demand response "are going to be critical to getting through the year," California Independent System Operator President and CEO Elliot Mainzer said Friday.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2021

NYC removes EV exemption cap, blocking Revel ride-hailing service

The Taxi and Limousine Commission voted Tuesday to remove the EV exemption for new for-hire vehicle licenses, which could have allowed the company to put 50 Teslas on city streets.

By Chris Teale • UPDATED: June 24, 2021 at 10:16 a.m.

'Reports of energy efficiency's death are greatly exaggerated.' The cost keeps falling as the resource grows

Energy efficiency can be the least-cost resource in a procurement, and it is increasingly helping utilities select and optimize clean energy portfolios, experts say.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2021

FERC pauses ruling that would prevent states from blocking demand response under Order 2222

FERC also on Thursday established a joint federal-state task force on transmission development that will address planning and cost allocation issues.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 18, 2021

As California steels for summer months, storage and demand response efforts could avert blackouts

High temperature forecasts have prompted CAISO to warn of the possible need to conserve energy, although it does not expect outages at this point. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 16, 2021

ConEd 'uniquely positioned' to lead clean energy transition, CEO says, laying out broad path

Consolidated Edison will spend billions on energy efficiency and building electrification throughout New York City with programs to encourage the use of geothermal and air source heat pumps.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2021

Hawaii OKs emergency demand response to avoid energy shortfalls following AES coal plant closure

Th order will be "a good jolt to the market for the next couple of years, to meet this emergency need," one solar advocate said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 10, 2021

Nuclear capacity increases by 4.5 GW in long-delayed 'MOPRed' PJM auction, coal loses 8 GW

Total costs dropped $4.4 billion and prices dropped to $50/MW-day during PJM’s years-delayed capacity auction, due to lower load forecasts, which translate to lower reliability requirements, according to the grid operator.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 03, 2021