Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response: Page 2
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Deep Dive
The energy system is ‘inherently racist,’ advocates say. How are utilities responding to calls for greater equity?
Utility commitments to customer equity, energy affordability and equitable access to clean energy resources are becoming more common, but energy justice advocates say companies need to do more.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2022 -
New California load management standards, including retail rates that change hourly, are a ‘huge leap’: CEC
The new standards could reduce annual peak hour electricity use by 120 GWh, according to the California Energy Commission.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2022 -
Explore the Trendline➔
simpson33 via Getty ImagesTrendlineCustomer Engagement/Service/Behavioral Energy Efficiency/DSM
Utilities are using a variety of new resources and strategies to engage with customers, drive energy efficiency and manage demand, drawing on everything from electric vehicles to new rate designs.
By Utility Dive staff -
Most, least energy-efficient states named in WalletHub analysis
The personal finance web site examined home and vehicle energy consumption data from the lower 48 states. California came in 6th.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2022 -
GM takes on Tesla, others; launches unit focused on energy storage, solar and vehicle-to-grid charging
General Motors hopes the new services will spur EV adoption while improving grid resiliency, it said as part of a broader business announcement Tuesday.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 11, 2022 -
Sponsored by Sentient Energy
Complex challenges call for complementary solutions
Today's grid challenges are often better addressed with strategic use of complementary technologies than with deployment of a single solution.
Oct. 10, 2022 -
Texas regulators deny Sierra Club petition to bolster energy efficiency, but say improvements needed
The proposal would have directed utilities to nearly double their peak demand goals over the next three years.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2022 -
Deep Dive
97% of smart meters fail to provide promised customer benefits. Can $3B in new funding change that?
Interoperability standards can deliver “non-discriminatory access” to real-time data from new smart meters to fulfill promises of customer savings and other system benefits, energy managers say.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 2022 -
Sponsored by FlexGen
Battery energy storage: the importance of energy management software
Today, the power industry is going through a renaissance driven by new cost-effective power solutions.
Oct. 3, 2022 -
How will residential solar + storage fare in a blackout? Berkeley Lab looks to historical data for insight.
In 70% of outage events, most homes with a 30-kWh storage system would have been able to maintain critical loads, researchers said.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2022 -
Sponsored by ScottMadden
3 steps to identifying best practices and efficiencies for gas utilities
Cost-reduction efforts often struggle because companies cannot easily compare operations and identify improvement opportunities across different LDCs or jurisdictions. The standardization of gas LDC processes can create significant value.
Sept. 19, 2022 -
Sponsored by Technosylva
Understanding potential consequence from asset ignited wildfires: it’s more than just ignition modeling
Energy utilities across the United States are challenged with reducing wildfire risk and increasing their reliability as part of their on-going operations.
By David Buckley, COO, Technosylva • Sept. 19, 2022 -
New York launches review of $10B in clean energy programs, focusing on energy efficiency and electrification
The review is particularly focused on energy efficiency and electrification efforts to aid low-income utility customers, according to the Public Service Commission.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2022 -
Deep Dive
Real-time pricing, new rates and enabling technologies target demand flexibility to ease California outages
Price signals linked to power market needs through smart technologies could make distributed energy resources that are aggregated and automated by third parties an answer to California reliability threats, industry observers said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 13, 2022 -
To decarbonize industry, DOE road map focuses on efficiency, electrification and low-carbon fuels
A $104 million funding opportunity for decarbonization technologies accompanied the Biden administration’s release of the comprehensive industrial strategy.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2022 -
Arup, startup are building smart city modeling tools to maximize energy efficiency
With Matidor, the partners seek to help civil engineers see the environmental impact and energy efficiency of what they’re developing in real time.
By Maria Rachal • Sept. 7, 2022 -
Slow adoption of smart thermostats in the US misses big potential energy savings: S&P
Inflation and concerns around extreme weather events are expected to help drive sales of the smart home technology this year, said analysts.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2022 -
Texas opens efficiency and demand response docket as NGO pushes for tougher utility targets, lower rewards
Texas utilities are exceeding their peak demand and energy savings targets, but those were last set a decade ago, say conservation advocates.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2022 -
Growing building sector carbon emissions threaten 2050 net-zero goal, report warns
U.S. economywide greenhouse gas emissions fell 12% from 2005 to 2019, but direct emissions from the building sector were higher, according to the report.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2022 -
State NEVI plans raise concerns about EV charging infrastructure rollout
Grid capacity, plus Buy America and matching fund requirements, are among states’ worries about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which aims to put charging stations every 50 miles along interstate highways.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 23, 2022 -
Sponsored by Yes Energy
Data — An essential tool for utilities to prepare for extreme weather
Data helps utilities prepare for extreme weather by providing a clear visual picture of numerous interrelated aspects of power markets that informs actionable solutions.
Aug. 22, 2022 -
Pepco gets approval for $92M efficiency, demand response program in District of Columbia
The portfolio of nine load management programs has a total budget of approximately $92.4 million, and a third is allocated to programs benefiting low- and moderate-income customers.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2022 -
Opinion
MISO can improve reliability before building transmission
Well before MISO builds out its recently approved $10 billion transmission portfolio, it can avoid blackouts by boosting its operating reserves rather than keeping a singular focus on planning reserves, the authors write.
By Rao Konidena and Allison Bates Wannop • Aug. 15, 2022 -
Opinion
Coordination between utilities and crypto miners — when does it make sense?
Some, but not too much, demand response can be a win-win for utilities and crypto miners, the authors contend.
By Steve Wright and Hassan Shaban • Aug. 11, 2022 -
Q&A
New York public housing is poised for electric heating and cooling upgrades from a California startup
Vince Romanin, the CEO of Gradient, discusses the market for heat pumps and a New York City Housing Authority contract to rethink HVAC for residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
By Maria Rachal • Aug. 11, 2022 -
U.S. electricity sales to increase 2.5% this year, with average residential prices jumping 6.1%: EIA
The Energy Information Administration said Tuesday it expects wholesale power prices to climb in most regions this year, with prices up 90% in the PJM Interconnection’s Western hub.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2022