California is changing the way it values energy efficiency to look beyond resource savings

New rules include a “total system benefit” metric to consider the lifecycle impacts of a utility's efficiency portfolio and to encourage programs targeting high-value conservation.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2021

Rapid 'energy efficiency as a service' growth belies financing, other difficulties, analysts say

Efficiency projects are difficult to finance and complicated to implement, creating opportunities for energy service companies to thrive, panelists said at a DOE summit May 19.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2021

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

Biden decarbonization focus shifts to buildings, with goal to triple efficiency, see up to $200B in savings

The White House announced workforce development funding, new performance standards and expanded partnerships in the private sector in an effort to address carbon emissions from the nation's building stock.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2021

CAISO 'cautiously optimistic' about summer 2021, but still sees causes for concern

"[T]here are remaining risks to reliability, such as an extreme prolonged heat wave affecting wide swaths of the West, or serious wildfires," CAISO President and CEO Elliot Mainzer said in a statement.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 13, 2021

Charlotte, North Carolina, models public-private approach for electrifying bus fleet

The city council recently approved a partnership to pilot 18 battery electric bus vehicles, while much of the U.S. has been slow to electrify transit.

By Jason Plautz • May 12, 2021

Nikola scales production, fueling stations as it books deal for 100 EVs

For one battery-electric truck customer, the sale hinges on government subsidies, which the OEM's CFO said it is helping the fleet secure.

By S.L. Fuller • May 11, 2021

Xcel Energy issues broad performance metrics report, setting markers for future progress

The Minnesota-based utility graded itself on everything from customer relations to load shifting, after years of discussions with state regulators and stakeholder groups.

By Scott Van Voorhis • May 10, 2021

DOE turns its focus toward equity with commitment to lowering solar deployment barriers

The U.S. Department of Energy's loan program historically has not focused on equity issues, instead choosing to work with the biggest companies and billion-dollar loans, program director Jigar Shah says.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2021

LEED-certified federal buildings aren't using less energy, Carnegie Mellon study finds

While the study focuses on federal buildings, "there [also] is no credible evidence on the effectiveness of green certification programs in reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings," the study authors said.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2021

As utilities match CCAs on price, aggregators increase climate action, grow economies of scale to compete

With stranded costs and other charges keeping CCA bills and utility bills comparable, municipal and community aggregations are challenging utilities on renewables and climate targets to grow their customer base.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2021

As markets mature, will EV fleet managers drive competition between power providers?

Utilities cannot be complacent and just expect to be the preferred electricity provider for fleets based in their territory, the author writes.

By Will Sierzchula • May 3, 2021

Biden's $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan meets power system needs but leaves room for political dealing

The Biden infrastructure spend would rapidly transition the U.S. power sector in ways utilities like, but Congress is expected to seek changes.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 28, 2021

Just transition needed in transit electrification, labor leaders say

Transit worker representatives said agencies and the federal government should provide training and give workers a voice, otherwise major job losses could follow.

By Chris Teale • April 27, 2021

CPUC judge orders SoCalGas to return ratepayer funds but stops short of imposing financial penalty

"It is no different than if the Commission found SoCalGas guilty of robbery but then only required them to give back the stolen money," per the Public Advocates Office, which had asked regulators to fine SoCalGas $255 million.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 27, 2021

Annual peak loads are shifting to winter; ACEEE report details how utilities can manage

The rise of space heating, water heaters, solar generation and other new technologies has Duke Energy eyeing 1,400 MW of winter demand-side resources.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2021

Spin begins electrifying operations, eyeing carbon neutrality

The Ford-owned micromobility company said it will start using electric vans in its two largest markets, having achieved carbon neutrality in 2020 by using carbon offsets and supporting environmental projects. 

By Chris Teale • April 22, 2021

FERC overstepping its authority in move to lower demand response barriers, NARUC, utilities charge

State regulators launched similar charges against federal regulators regarding FERC's order on energy storage, arguing the commission was illegally encroaching on state authority over the distribution system.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 21, 2021

All-electric car and truck sales by 2035 would save $2.7 trillion, but will take smart policy to drive clean

Additional regulation to encourage rapid ground transportation electrification is needed for the U.S. to lead in electric vehicle technology innovation.

By Amanda Myers • April 19, 2021

JPMorgan, Citi follow Bank of America with trillion-dollar ESG pledges

JPMorgan's $2.5 trillion commitment could rebalance the scales. The bank has financed about $317 billion in fossil-fuel activity since 2015, an activist group found. In that time, it has put nearly $210 billion toward green initiatives.

By Dan Ennis • April 19, 2021

As Biden targets 100% clean electricity, strategies emerge to reliably integrate rising renewables

A power system based on portfolios of increasingly cost-effective utility-scale and distributed renewables is emerging and driving new operational and market solutions to make it work reliably.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2021

Cleaner by the mile: Electric trucks can have outsized environmental and health benefits

According to forthcoming research from Texas A&M University, electrification of a small number of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles can lead to significant pollution reductions, the authors write.

By David Farnsworth, Camille Kadoch and Nancy Seidman • April 14, 2021

Tesla praises, ConEd opposes different New York EV bills

The state's largest utility opposes a proposal that would require utilities to create commercial tariffs for fast charging in an effort to boost fleet adoption.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2021

Online map showcases construction-related careers in booming green sector

The tool was designed to help workers research jobs and advancement paths in the green building field.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 8, 2021

US building codes need a major retrofit to meet climate goals and spare consumers

The International Code Council, which recently rolled back local governments' say in energy efficiency regulations for buildings, needs to adapt to the times or step aside, writes Energy Innovation's Sara Baldwin.

By Sara Baldwin • April 7, 2021

FERC's opt-out rule has created a stalemate for distributed energy resources and demand response programs

FERC should eliminate the opt-out rule because it is a market barrier that has served no useful purpose in more than a decade, the author writes.

By Kenneth Schisler • April 6, 2021