Massachusetts utilities ordered to modernize the grid

Massachusetts electric utilities must start planning for a future with rooftop solar, electric vehicles, energy storage, microgrids and more.

By Claire Cameron • June 16, 2014

FERC seeks en banc review of demand response ruling

At issue is FERC's arguably "indirect" regulation of retail markets.

By Claire Cameron • June 13, 2014

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Minnesota introduces statewide off-peak EV charging rate

Regulators have required utilities to offer a discounted, overnight refueling rate.

By Claire Cameron • June 13, 2014

Hawaii provides U.S. utilities a glimpse of the future

“While states are starting to debate these questions and looking to five to 10 years down the road, we are dealing with these challenges in real-time.”

By Davide Savenije • June 11, 2014

FirstEnergy, AEP seek regulatory relief from falling sales, rising costs

FirstEnergy takes issue with the role of demand response in PJM's most recent capacity auction.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2014

Why an energy services management marketplace for customers matters

In a guest post, Manifest Mind CEO Carol Stimmel shares her perspective on why an energy services management marketplace can bring utilities closer to their customers.

June 9, 2014

New MN rate plan would reward Xcel customers for conserving energy

If consumers use lots of electricity, they will pay for it at a higher rate.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2014

Energy efficiency's future is uncertain in Indiana

Ending the state's energy efficiency initiative early has put Indiana in a worse position to meet new EPA emissions targets, according to a consumer watchdog.

By Claire Cameron • June 6, 2014

Hawaii regulators kick off financing programs for rooftop solar, energy efficiency

The programs will make efficiency and solar more affordable to customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2014

Regulators approve Westar Energy's prepaid electricity pilot

The utility's customers would be allowed to pay in advance.

By Claire Cameron • June 2, 2014

Apple enters smart home race with new app

The company's new app will enable consumers to control smart home devices from a single control point.

By Claire Cameron • May 28, 2014

Jon Wellinghoff: Vertically-integrated utility business 'will break down completely'

Former FERC Chairman says utilities will have to change their business model if they want to remain competitive in the near-future.

By Claire Cameron • May 28, 2014

Is New York the future of the utility industry?

Coming soon to an electrical grid near you: The disruption of customer choice.

By Davide Savenije • May 27, 2014

Power prices double in PJM's capacity auction

Good news for generators.

By Claire Cameron • May 26, 2014

Court strikes down FERC's demand response order

A Washington D.C. federal appeals court has overturned a federal order to incentivize demand response in retail markets.

By Claire Cameron • May 26, 2014

Solar fills peak demand gap in California's heat wave

Nearly 10% of peak load came from solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 26, 2014

SMUD pilot shows customers don't like fixed rates

Customers prefer time-of-use and critical peak rate plans over standard flat charges, according to Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

By Claire Cameron • May 23, 2014

New details emerge on Xcel-solar industry Solar*Rewards settlement

The agreement does not address the controversial net energy metering debate that is widely considered crucial to further solar growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2014

ConEd CEO outlines T&D, efficiency investments

The utility is investing $2.5 billion annually to upgrade and maintain facilities, CEO John McAvoy told shareholders.

By Claire Cameron • May 19, 2014

How New York is reinventing the electric utility

NY PSC: "Distributed System Platform Providers" are the utility of the future.

By Claire Cameron • May 16, 2014

California grid wrestles with heat, rising demand and constrained supplies

California spot electricity prices hit the highest seasonal level in six years. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 15, 2014

PJM says it can meet summer peak demand

PJM Interconnection says it has enough capacity for the summer.

By Claire Cameron • May 14, 2014

Do utilities know what their customers really want?

Deloitte: Energy companies that figure out "behavioral connectivity" will be winners.

By Davide Savenije • May 14, 2014

FERC approves changes to PJM's demand response rules

But federal regulators have asked PJM to justify certain points before they give the full go-ahead.

By Claire Cameron • May 14, 2014

PJM power prices expected to rise as regulations take hold

FERC has capped the amount of imported power and limited demand response programs in a bid to drive up prices at the PJM Interconnection capacity auction this week.

By Claire Cameron • May 14, 2014