Emcor bolsters energy efficiency operations with ECM acquisition

The transaction brings specialized retrofit services and $60 million in estimated 2023 revenue to the engineering and construction company.

By Joe Burns • July 10, 2023

US electric vehicle goals will require up to $127B to install 28M chargers by 2030: NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory expects there will be 30 million to 42 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads in 2030, requiring a rapid infrastructure buildout.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2023

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

Strengthening the power sector’s approach to climate risk

As U.S. braces for hurricane season and a warmer than average summer, resilience of the electric sector is top of mind.

By Morgan Scott, Director of Climate READi, EPRI • July 3, 2023

California greenlights $4.3B funding for energy efficiency, targets underserved and rural communities

The funding will support energy efficiency efforts from 2024 through 2027. Regulators also approved a forecasted budget of another $4.6 billion from 2028 through 2031.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 30, 2023

To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits

Implementing the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program “will provide much-needed funding to reduce water and utility costs,” HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon said.

By Mary Salmonsen • June 23, 2023

FlexCharging rolls out managed EV charging solution designed for smaller utilities

Aimed at cooperative energy providers, FlexCharging’s managed charging platform eases customer sign-ups and uses a virtual submeter to keep costs down, said CEO Brian Grunkemeyer.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2023

How the customer experience is driving the next generation of residential offerings

Transform your residential offerings to meet customer expectations, by building upon a foundation of putting customer needs first and using data to individualize the customer experience.

June 20, 2023

New York launches $10M electrification, efficiency program for commercial, industrial projects

The incentives target businesses working to cut energy use and emissions on an “accelerated timeline,” the state said.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2023

Washington regulators conditionally approve Puget Sound Energy’s 63% clean electricity by 2025 target

The interim target is part of Puget Sound Energy’s first-ever clean energy implementation plan, required by state legislation passed in 2019.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 9, 2023

Cities, states increasingly base building performance standards on carbon emissions: report

The number of jurisdictions adopting standards has nearly doubled since 2020, with legislation enacted in three states and nine localities, says a new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 8, 2023

As states differ on the benefits of Bitcoin, is there a solution to its climate and power-system impacts?

Bitcoin miners’ 24/7 electricity need and financial focus raise red flags for climate activists about increased fossil fuel use, but some miners are starting to see a new solution in clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2023

Virtual power plant grid participation can grow with new business models, market rules: Guidehouse

Growth of virtual power plants will require system operators and regulators to develop supportive market frameworks, according to Guidehouse.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2023

US residential heat pump sales pass gas furnaces for first time as interest in efficiency tech surges: IEA

The International Energy Agency also said in its report, Energy Efficiency - The Decade for Action, that electric vehicle sales in the U.S. rose 55% last year.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2023

California’s 7 GW load shift goal is ‘starting gun’ for dramatic expansion in flexible demand

The goal is “essentially the counterpart to the renewable portfolio standard” for load flexibility, according to Cisco DeVries, CEO of OhmConnect.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 6, 2023

3 steps to improving demand response participation for income-qualified customers

Clean energy is necessary for all communities, addressing energy equity is crucial for utilities.

June 5, 2023

Bipartisan group of senators warns DOE not to make transformer shortage worse with new efficiency rule

The Department of Energy is “open to exploring both supply- and demand-side solutions to encourage further manufacturing of distribution transformers,” an agency spokesperson said.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2023

Treating power demand like supply in wholesale markets could boost grid reliability, lower prices: ESIG

Aligning grid needs with demand will become more important as renewable penetration increases and widespread electrification occurs, according to the Energy Systems Integration Group.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2023

As Texas eyes new gas power plants, ‘probably the most important bill for grid reliability is effectively dead’

The likely failure of a bill to expand energy savings targets for investor-owned utilities is a “significant disappointment,” said Cyrus Reed, conservation director of the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2023

South Carolina could save electricity customers up to $362M a year by joining RTO: The Brattle Group

The current Southeast Energy Exchange Market is limited in benefits compared to a regional transmission organization, the consulting firm said in a report to a legislative committee.

By Diana DiGangi • May 15, 2023

Efficiency, demand response could cut Texas winter peak loads 23.5 GW, save billions over new gas: ACEEE

The cost of the programs would be “substantially below” a Texas Senate plan to construct 10,000 MW of new gas-fired capacity, the report concluded.

By Robert Walton • May 12, 2023

New efficiency standards for electric motors will save consumers $8.8B over 30 years, DOE says

Along with finalized standards for electric motors, the U.S. Department of Energy announced proposed standards for new dishwashers that are expected to save consumers almost $3 billion.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2023

Hawai’i leads the way on advanced rate design with default time-of-use rates, fixed charge innovations

Hawai’i’s planned granular cost study still must prove to other states that the new TOU rates, fixed charge framework and new way of defining costs will allocate costs accurately, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2023

Insulation vital to electrification effort but ‘DOE completely ignoring’ new tax credits: manufacturers

Insulation manufacturers say the federal government must do a better job educating consumers about the value of multiple-measure efficiency improvements.

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2023

Florida regulators reject adding new cost test to state’s energy efficiency goal-setting process

“There hasn't been a material change” to the state’s energy efficiency goal-setting process in almost 30 years, Andrew Giles Fay, Florida’s top utility regulator, said before the PSC vote.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2023

Affordable, all-electric and energy-efficient housing gets $15M boost from NYC initiative

The initiative “will demonstrate to the affordable housing market a highly replicable new construction solution,” said Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 3, 2023