In ‘unusual’ move, DOE proposes rule to expand FERC’s authority over large loads

Reactions were mixed. Analysts said they expected investor-owned utilities and possibly some states to object, while a former FERC chair questioned the impact on grid reliability and costs for other customers. 

By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 24, 2025

Renewing the case for energy efficiency: a grid resource, customer trust tool and economic engine

Efficiency and broader demand-side management strategies are powerful tools for grid planning that offer flexibility, speed and cost control, writes ICF’s Justin Mackovyak.

By Justin Mackovyak • Oct. 24, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

Maryland’s EmPOWER efficiency program not meeting low-income goals: OPC

Most utilities in the state are on track to meet emissions goals associated with the efficiency program. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is not.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2025

US energy storage market looks resilient amid global growth: BNEF

Despite new foreign sourcing restrictions, reduced policy and trade uncertainty has brightened the outlook for U.S. storage players, the energy research firm said Monday.

By Brian Martucci • Oct. 21, 2025

To keep power affordable, regulators must rethink who pays — and when

A growing body of evidence shows that widespread residential electrification can actually reduce average rates, but only under the right conditions, write Becky Li and Joe Daniel of RMI. 

By Becky Li and Joe Daniel • Oct. 20, 2025

Portland General Electric invests in AI-powered flexibility to speed data center connection

The utility is working with startup GridCARE to help data centers plug into transmission-constrained grids without waiting for new infrastructure, executives said.

By Brian Martucci • Oct. 20, 2025

A customer-centric vision for meeting future demand growth

As data center growth pressures the electric grid, customer relationships will be critical for utilities, write Nathan Shannon of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative and Sharon Talbott of Salesforce.

By Nathan Shannon and Sharon Talbott • Oct. 17, 2025

VPP Convergence Project aims to educate states on virtual power plants

Tesla, Sunrun, Leap, Voltus and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners are involved in the effort.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 15, 2025

Honeywell to supply new power solutions for data centers

Working with industrial automation firm LS Electric, Honeywell will offer AI-driven power management solutions, including battery energy storage systems, to help meet the sector’s energy demand.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 10, 2025

Why data center operators should pay for residential electrification upgrades

Upgrading households is the fastest way for hyperscalers to obtain all the electricity they need, writes Ari Matusiak, founder and CEO of Rewiring America.

By Ari Matusiak • Oct. 10, 2025

Xcel Minnesota proposes ‘first-of-its-kind’ distributed capacity procurement

Xcel requested the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approve the program with a budget range of $152 million, based on a minimum procurement of 50 MW, to $430 million if it deploys all 200 MW.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2025

Energy efficiency is reducing Northeast peak demand, electricity bills: Acadia

“It is more important than ever for policymakers, advocates, program administrators, and consumers to understand the value ... of energy efficiency resource acquisition,” said Acadia’s Jamie Dickerson.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2025

Distributed energy resources can accelerate data center interconnection

Solutions that help local utilities find or create spare grid capacity by harnessing distributed energy resources could help bring more AI compute capacity online faster.

By Jen Downing • Oct. 6, 2025

Newsom vetoes energy bills on virtual power plants, load management and interconnection

Trade and environmental advocacy groups said adopting a virtual power plant deployment plan could have saved Californians $750 million a year. The governor vetoed it, citing financial strains on the state energy commission.

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 6, 2025

The week in 5 numbers: DOE slashes clean energy funding following coal ‘investment’

Plus PJM’s data center woes, record storage deployment and new generation additions.

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 3, 2025

Newsom vetoes bill to codify load flexibility in California grid planning

The governor said the bill does not align with the state’s existing resource adequacy framework. Clean energy advocates called it a missed opportunity. 

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 3, 2025

Utility conferences to watch in 2026

See our annual list of notable power-sector conferences where industry leaders will share knowledge in a rapidly-changing landscape. 

By Meris Lutz • Oct. 1, 2025

For data center contracts, it’s all about the fine print

Regulation, tariffs, labor shortages, supply chain issues and “sophisticated power and utility needs” are complicating data center development, say contract attorneys.

By Sebastian Obando • Oct. 1, 2025

World’s carbon-neutral aspirations may hinge on appliance efficiency: CLASP

“There is such a huge disconnect between what our research shows is needed ... and what the U.S. government is saying would be good for the world,” said Ari Reeves, CLASP senior director of research.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2025

Heat pumps could be affordable for most — if rates were fair

Massachusetts is making a good start by offering seasonal discounts for heat pumps. But it could do more, write authors from Green Energy Consumers Alliance and the Acadia Center.

By Larry Chretien and Kyle Murray • Sept. 25, 2025

Heat pump, solar and storage deployment could offset AI load through 2029: report

Subsidies of 50% for heat pumps and 30% for solar and storage would free up well over 100 GW of grid capacity at a cost comparable to new gas generation, Rewiring America said last week.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 24, 2025

Utilities are backtracking on climate commitments: Sierra Club

The report named six utility companies reversing course on emissions reductions: Entergy, Duke Energy, Evergy, Cleco, American Electric Power and Arizona Public Service.

By Robert Walton • Updated Sept. 23, 2025

Data center demand drives 33% jump in VPP deployments: Wood Mackenzie

But virtual power plant capacity rose more slowly than deployments last year, highlighting barriers to broader adoption, WoodMac said.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 22, 2025

AI’s electricity demand is a challenge utilities can’t ignore, but subsidies aren’t the solution

Utilities need portfolios that balance renewables and natural gas with long-duration storage, writes Stefan Pastine, CEO of semiconductor materials company Thintronics.

By Stefan Pastine • Sept. 22, 2025

The future of virtual power plants is technology agnostic

Interoperability is crucial for deploying certain consumer technologies efficiently at scale, writes Molly Podolefsky, a managing director at Clarum Advisors.

By Molly Podolefsky • Sept. 19, 2025