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

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

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

AI can aid building energy retrofit decisions but faces limitations: study

Large language models can deliver results in technical optimization tasks but struggle with payback optimization, researchers at Michigan State University say.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 17, 2025

Southwest Power Pool approves accelerated large load interconnection policy

The process aims to help the operator address a near-doubling of peak load expected in the next 10 years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2025

California zeroes out funding for world’s ‘largest virtual power plant’

Advocates say gutting grid reliability programs threatens to undermine the state’s progress.

By Meris Lutz • Sept. 16, 2025

The hidden cost of ambiguous energy software terminology

Adapting the electric grid to load growth and DER adoption will require a mutual understanding of software requirements, capabilities and outcomes among stakeholders.

By Sneha Vasudevan • Sept. 15, 2025

Republicans take aim at DOE’s appliance efficiency program

The federal appliance and equipment standards program “has strayed far from its original intent and now yields the minimum energy efficiency benefits,” said Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2025

ChargePoint, Eaton launch new ultrafast bidirectional EV chargers

When deployed at scale with participating utilities, the joint architecture can help balance the electric grid, the companies said in a statement. 

By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 11, 2025

With tax credits expiring, a home electrification nonprofit is racing against the clock

Rewiring America has launched a national campaign to help homeowners take advantage of clean energy and efficiency incentives that will expire soon.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2025

Which households care most about energy efficiency?

Gen Z and millennial consumers are more attuned to energy consumption and bills than previous generations at that age, and they’re using energy-management technology, according to a recent survey. 

By Meris Lutz • Aug. 27, 2025

Utilities need to plan for flexibility, confirm data centers when forecasting load: report

While the Energy Systems Integration Group report focuses heavily on distributed energy resources, data centers have become “the latest and largest elephant in the room” when it comes to utility planning, the lead author said. 

By Meris Lutz • Aug. 25, 2025

The cheapest power plant is in your home

Households can help prevent blackouts and lower energy bills if we plan smarter and reward people for using power at the right time.

By Paul Hines • Aug. 25, 2025

30 years after Chicago’s deadly heatwave, cooling should be recognized as a right

The 1995 heatwave that killed more than 700 people made clear that access to reliable, affordable energy is not a luxury, the authors write. 

By Qëndresa Krasniqi, Diana Hernández, Vivek Shastry and Rachel Scheu • Aug. 21, 2025

Managed EV charging could generate $30B in annual savings by 2035: report

Carefully managing electric vehicle demand could cut all U.S. electric bills by 10% annually, regardless of whether a customer owns an EV, according to new research from ev.energy.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 27, 2025

California’s virtual power plant could save $206M by 2028: Brattle

Advocates say the taxpayer-funded Demand Side Grid Support program is critical to reducing energy costs and managing the California grid, but it faces an uncertain future.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2025

Utilities: Don’t lose out on advanced metering infrastructure with a short-term vision

There is a revolution of grid-connected devices in the making, writes Laura Sherman, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council.

By Laura Sherman • Aug. 20, 2025

Carbon management platform Gravity launches energy-savings marketplace

The marketplace connects customers with projects offering financial and energy savings based on their energy consumption and carbon accounting data.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 19, 2025

To reduce electricity bills, repeal the complexity tax on energy savings

Energy waste can be cut and customer outcomes improved by consolidating and expanding efficiency and housing repair programs, writes L. Michelle Moore, the CEO of Groundswell.

By Michelle Moore • Aug. 19, 2025