Want a more distributed and lower cost power system? Try this new planning tool

Vibrant Clean Energy offers system modeling to match today's granularity and breaks the barrier between bulk system and distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2021

Fleet tech forges ahead, for the waste sector, but some bide time on higher-stake EV investments

The pandemic strained finances for some waste and recycling collectors looking to upgrade their operations. But falling costs and ESG pressures could catalyze EV pilots, routing software adoption and more in 2021.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 27, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

SCE settles 2018 wildfire insurance claims for $2.2B, faces potential fines over energy efficiency program

The utility has now resolved all subrogation claims related to the 2017 and 2018 fires and mudslides, according to Edison International's CEO.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 26, 2021

Honolulu's resilience officer outlines path to carbon neutrality

Chief Resilience Officer Matthew Gonser discussed Honolulu's first Climate Action Plan and the creative way local leaders tackled tough climate conversations with local residents. 

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 22, 2021

Hawaii finalizes utility regulation considered potential template for US power system transformation

Stakeholders agree the state's final performance-based regulation order includes opportunities and safeguards that can lead to a new regulatory paradigm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2021

2021 Outlook: The DER boom continues, driving a ‘reimagining’ of the distribution system

The rise of distributed resources will require a renewed distribution system that gives utilities more visibility of what's going on at the customer level to cut costs and protect reliability. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2021

RMI details urgency of ride-hailing electrification

In an insight brief, the nonprofit listed technological capability, financial competitiveness and charging infrastructure as the three major barriers to TNC electrification.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 8, 2021

Massachusetts Gov Baker signs climate legislation, setting net-zero 2050 target

The bill sets a statewide net zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, includes renewable energy and storage targets, as well as efficiency standards.

By Robert Walton • Updated March 29, 2021

Lion Electric's journey to the NYSE, explained

Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, are trendy, and they have been helping green truck companies go public.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 6, 2021

Two barriers to utility and customer savings with flexible loads and how regulators can help

Utilities, regulators and load flexibility authorities say better distribution system control technologies and compensation are needed to increase the use of flexible customer-sited resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2021

Top Utility Trends of 2020

Amid significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the power sector's transition to a cleaner, more distributed future continues.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 5, 2021

Northeast states, DC sign MOU to reduce transportation emissions

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, DC, are the first jurisdictions to implement the Transportation and Climate Initiative's cap-and-invest program.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 23, 2020

California tops ACEEE energy efficiency scorecard

This is the first report since 2010 in which Massachusetts has not held the No. 1 spot, falling to second as California "continued to set the pace in energy savings."

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 17, 2020

Amazon subsidiary Zoox gives first look at its autonomous electric robotaxi

The company said the vehicle is built for "dense, urban environments" and can reach up to 75 miles per hour in both directions.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 16, 2020

South Carolina directs Dominion to model early coal fleet retirement, pre-2026 additions of solar and storage

State regulators ordered the utility to analyze early coal plant closures amid considerations to retrofit its Williams and Wateree plants, as well as adding demand side management and clean energy resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Jan. 5, 2021

Electric vehicle models expected to triple in 4 years as declining battery costs boost adoption

Electric vehicles are approaching cost parity with traditional gas-powered vehicles, but experts disagree on just how much further battery prices must drop.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2020

Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say

President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to 1 million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2020

Utility regulators wake up to the long-term risks of gas

Regulators are open to changing the status quo and pushing for building electrification, writes Rocky Mountain Institute Principal Mike Henchen.

By Mike Henchen • Dec. 9, 2020

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

San Jose, Oakland join growing list of California cities to ban natural gas construction

These measures add to more than 40 California cities that have updated building electrification codes — yet a "controversial exemption" in San Jose could turn the tide.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 4, 2020

Trump 'midnight regulations' may hinder Biden efforts to advance energy efficiency, advocates say

Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., says updating energy efficiency standards will be a "top priority" but warns comprehensive legislation may not pass with the narrow balance of power in Congress.

By Robert Walton • Updated Dec. 11, 2020

Accelerated electrification inevitable, but tech, deployment must meet local needs: report

California cities San Jose and Oakland each banned natural gas in new building construction this week, but experts warn policies must be developed carefully.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 3, 2020

Boston roadmap details 10-minute EV access for all

The roadmap hinges on three key goals: widespread adoption of electrification, affordable and convenient access to charging infrastructure, and electrification of Boston's municipal fleet.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 25, 2020

Making the case to the C-suite for electric trucks

Fleets have work to do before electric Class 8 trucks hit the mass market — and company culture is part of that.

By Heather Larson • Nov. 25, 2020

​From Maryland to California and beyond, rate design innovations are boosting the energy transition

Success with time-of-use rates can allow utilities to start integrating more variable and distributed generation, leading to more sophisticated time-varying rates that allow for the further expansion of such generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 25, 2020