Record-high electricity prices fail to boost residential energy management programs: JD Power

Time-of-use rates can help to engage customers with energy conservation programs, but utilities must be careful to explain how the new pricing structure works.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2023

World hurtling toward critical global warming benchmark, but IPCC report highlights clean energy potential

For the electric sector, demand-side management technologies could play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by the IPCC.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Electrification and EVs

Transportation electrification is getting a major boost from the Inflation Reduction Act as well as various federal, state and local policies. But while momentum is growing, significant challenges lie ahead.

By Utility Dive staff

NREL to test real-time utility meter data as resilience solution amid rising renewable energy adoption

As larger percentages of renewables dominate the grid, access to real-time data will become more important for avoiding outages and maintaining reliability, said Dan Forman, CEO of project partner Copper Labs.

By Emma Penrod • March 9, 2023

Efficiency, demand response and EV charging are priorities for commercial building sector: GridPoint survey

Almost 80% of respondents reported energy cost increases in the last 12-24 months and 99% said they were concerned about the issue.

By Robert Walton • March 8, 2023

Florida regulators streamline energy efficiency goal-setting process as advocates push for broader reforms

The Public Service Commission last updated Florida’s energy efficiency rules in the early 1990s. Energy efficiency advocates say this latest iteration does not make substantial changes.

By Robert Walton • March 8, 2023

NARUC examines how states can make power grids more flexible with performance-based mechanisms

The analysis looks at Hawaii, which abandoned cost-of-service ratemaking in favor of a performance-based approach and now uses a menu of rewards and penalties to incentivize demand flexibility.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2023

Property-assessed clean energy programs are popular for local decarbonization financing: report

PACE programs are more common than taxes and other strategies as a source of dedicated climate funds for local governments, a Brookings Institution report found.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 28, 2023

The key to turning the US into the world’s clean energy powerhouse? Energy companies.

Recent changes in the U.S. signal that gas-powered vehicle ownership is on its way out and that EVs are in — American energy companies can use this to gain traction towards becoming renewable energy leaders globally.

By Lara Beers, Global Director at Kraken Technologies, part of Octopus Energy Group • Feb. 27, 2023

3 steps to increasing reliability by scaling demand response programs

Utilities can engage a larger pool of participants in demand response programs with three steps gleaned from an innovative pilot program.

Feb. 21, 2023

Amid high energy prices, SCE VP, other experts push to reduce California’s reliance on natural gas

The push follows a recent report that found the California Independent System Operator’s energy market saw additional wholesale costs of $3 billion in December.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 16, 2023

Proposed distribution transformer standards ‘could significantly impact’ grid reliability, utilities warn DOE

The sole domestic manufacturer of amorphous steel cores for distribution transformers says it could quickly scale up production to meet U.S. demand if new energy efficiency standards are adopted.

By Robert Walton • Updated Feb. 17, 2023

CPower, Voltus see thaw in MISO state opposition to aggregated demand response

Bundling DR in wholesale markets could ease capacity shortfalls, reduce the chance of grid emergencies and help states lower carbon emissions, proponents say.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 15, 2023

To protect families from surging energy bills, stop the foot-dragging on energy efficiency for furnaces

Wasting less energy to heat our homes can protect millions of Americans, especially lower-income households, against surging fossil fuel costs that will burst budgets for many families over the coming months.

By Richard Eckman • Feb. 14, 2023

DOE proposes new energy efficiency standards for refrigerators, clothes washers to save consumers billions

Energy efficiency standards for the residential appliances have not been updated in over a decade.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2023

How inverter design contributes to long-term profitability of solar and storage

Attention is turning to lifetime system costs and how they affect the long-term profitability of large-scale DERs.

Feb. 6, 2023

‘No regrets’ approach to big batteries, green hydrogen and grid reliability urgently needed, analysts say

Advanced batteries and green hydrogen promise long-duration energy storage solutions for “net zero” system reliability, but only regulatory policy and market support can fulfill that promise, industry stakeholders say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2023

3 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

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

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

Samsung’s 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

The 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

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

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