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

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

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

Climate progress in power, 5 other sectors too slow to limit global warming: report

The World Resources Institute and ClimateWorks said efforts to bolster electrification and renewable energy must accelerate, while deforestation and agricultural production raised red flags.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 23, 2020

Why capital markets are continuing to finance utilities facing rising flood and other climate change impacts

In a sample of 18 utility disclosures on climate risks analyzed by Utility Dive, 13 stated flooding and heavy storms were a short-to-mid term threat.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2020

Fleets lack motivation to invest in electric trucks

Many fleets are waiting for the market to mature, and unknowns make it difficult to calculate the total cost of ownership.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 19, 2020

Energy efficiency advocates see $1.1T in savings potential with Biden directing DOE

Under a Joe Biden presidency, efficiency advocates say the U.S. Department of Energy could move swiftly to strengthen appliance standards.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2020

California begins to shape vehicle-grid integration strategy, considers using EVs during power shut-offs

A proposed decision to create a framework is the biggest tangible action that regulators have taken on vehicle-grid integration, an attorney said ahead of CPUC approval.  

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Dec. 21, 2020

Mayors unveil $60B plan to support Midwest energy transition

The 'Marshall Plan for Middle America' aims to address the Ohio Valley region's projected 100,000 job losses triggered by a shift away from fossil fuels.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 16, 2020

PECO: Billions of investment at risk with Pennsylvania court's rejection of smart meter mandate

Exelon subsidiary PECO Energy installed more than a million smart meters in Pennsylvania, but a court's decision could allow customers to have them removed.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2020

Tesla rival Nikola says Biden administration bodes well for its business model

The electric vehicle manufacturer's outward optimism hasn't camouflaged its troubles. Net losses are up, and the uncertain GM deal looms large.

By S.L. Fuller • Nov. 12, 2020

As EV infrastructure expands, researchers show charging stations vulnerable to low-cost hacking

The Southwest Research Institute was able to perform three manipulations to the most common EV charging equipment: limiting charge rates, blocking a vehicle from charging, and overcharging its battery.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2020

14 states, advocacy groups sue DOE over failure to update 25 appliance efficiency standards

Washington, D.C., and New York City join a slew of plaintiffs that claim consumers missed out on $580 billion in savings while the U.S. Department of Energy does not review and update energy efficiency appliance standards.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2020

SoCalGas merits $255M fine for opposing efficiency standards with customer funds: ratepayer advocate

The Public Advocates Office said the utility has been involved in a "concerted effort" to undermine the state's energy efficiency goals.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 9, 2020

FERC Order 2222 should be a watershed moment — grid operators can help ensure that

The interconnected smart devices that help our homes and businesses save energy can become flexible resources for our grids, the authors write.

By Paul Hines and Allison Bates Wannop • Nov. 4, 2020

Voltus vies to unleash thousands of MWs of demand response capacity in challenge to MISO restrictions

Clean energy advocates say allowing demand response participation in wholesale markets will increase competition, reduce customer costs and help regional transmission operators better manage the grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2020