Google machine learning shifts data center operations to maximize efficiency, renewables use

Data centers consume about 1% of worldwide electricity, but while the computing power to run the internet has grown steadily over the last decade, its energy demand has remained relatively consistent.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2020

Elevating energy efficiency – At last!

Imagine if, instead of paying for energy efficiency improvements through arcane ratepayer programs, we paid for them with project financing like we do power plants or transmission lines.

By Ken Colburn • May 1, 2020

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

Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities

Customer advocates say the new rules make the city a national leader in efforts to increase emissions-free vehicles, and called for similar policies to be adopted across Illinois.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020

Transportation Electrification Partnership proposes $150B federal stimulus package

The proposal calls for investments in zero emission infrastructure, EV adoption, workforce development and other areas to build climate resilience amid COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • April 27, 2020

New York expedites energy efficiency vendor payments to bolster industry rattled by COVID-19

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and utility administrators will grant additional flexibility to energy efficiency programs in a first phase of support for the state's clean energy industry.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2020

Dominion tries again on rejected AMI plan amid Virginia's new clean energy law

Regulators rejected the petition to reconsider the $752 million proposal for smart meters, which the utility deems important to meeting state clean energy goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 28, 2020

'It's really heartbreaking': California's clean energy programs hit hard by COVID-19

Behind-the-meter solar and storage, energy efficiency and low-income customer programs are seeing negative effects, stakeholders told the California Public Utilities Commission. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 24, 2020

Dear efficiency advocates: Don't fear electrification

Many people in the energy efficiency space perceive building electrification as a threat to energy efficiency, but the Sacramento Municipal Utility District doesn't see it that way, the author writes.

By Richard Oberg • April 22, 2020

New York demand response providers press regulators for flexibility as COVID-19 challenges mount

The demand management sector is important not just to optimizing the state's electric grid but also providing revenue streams that will assist in economic recovery.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2020

The next generation of load shifting

Demand response (DR) conjures images of invasive curtailments with customers having to turn off appliances and their HVAC system. However, load shifting provides the same benefits of DR often without the negative customer experience. 

April 20, 2020

Texas regulators approve new smart meter rules, limiting access to real-time data

Demand response providers say allowing customer access to real-time data from their smart meters will better enable a new generation of load management products.

By Robert Walton • Updated April 22, 2020

Groups sue DOE over 'arbitrary' threshold they say will avoid tougher efficiency standards for appliances

The lawsuit is the third one related to the national appliance standards program that the Natural Resources Defense Council has filed in the last five months.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2020

Post-coronavirus economic recovery requires EV adoption

The next federal stimulus bill should include three objectives to create a healthier economy: more access to EV charging stations, electrification incentives and support of grid-level demand.

By Christopher George & Jan Maceczek • April 13, 2020

Efficiency sector gets creative to stem COVID-19 job losses, maintain energy savings

Virtual energy audits, flexibility in measurement and verification processes, and a slate of new product offerings are helping to maintain the 2.4 million jobs in the efficiency sector. But losses are inevitable and underway, say observers.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2020

Ahead of the EV pack: How other states can replicate New Jersey's legislative success

Governor Phil Murphy committed to Senate Bill #2252 this past January, thereby initiating one of the largest rebates for EV buyers in the country — up to $5,000 per vehicle over the next ten years.

By Rose Lenoff • April 9, 2020

Ann Arbor, MI City Council rejects $1B climate plan

Some council members found the plan to include concerning costs, while others argued the plan was put together in haste.

By Chris Teale • Updated April 22, 2020

Energy efficiency efforts are shutting down due to COVID-19, threatening jobs and savings

The energy efficiency sector employs at least 2.4 million people, and those jobs are at risk given the disruptions from social distancing protocols, experts say.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2020

New Jersey's energy efficiency approach could reduce incentive to invest, stakeholders warn

A proposal to reduce utility returns on equity for efficiency investments drew concern from electric companies in the state at an April 1 stakeholder meeting.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2020

Trump administration slashes required annual fuel economy increase to 1.5%, potentially harming EV market, advocates say

The new rules are intended to make vehicles safer and more affordable, according to Trump Administration officials.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 31, 2020

Cities, states fight fuel efficiency standards rollback

The two phases of the fuel efficiency rollbacks could cut the number of zero emission vehicles on U.S. roads by 14 million over the next 15 years, advocates warn.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 28, 2020

Virginia rejects Dominion's $752M smart meter plan, other grid mod proposals

Regulators penalized the company for failing to justify costs to deploy advanced metering infrastructure, after Dominion failed to submit a broad time-of-use rate plan.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 27, 2020

DTE updates resource plan blasted by critics for favoring coal and gas over renewables

The new plan complies with a demand by Michigan regulators that the company take another look at customer energy efficiency programs as well as the cost of building more solar and wind to move away from coal and gas.

By John Funk • March 24, 2020

Utilities beginning to see the load impacts of COVID-19 as economic shutdown widens

Demand for electricity is falling and experts say that could mean higher rates in some territories.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2020

18 Senate Democrats call on Congress to include renewables in stalled stimulus package

A Friday letter recommends tax credit extensions or an elimination of the tax credit phase-out, direct payment, refunds, or safe harbor extensions, among other options.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 23, 2020

Don't call it a Clean Peak Standard: Leveraging renewables to reduce customer costs during peak demand

The ancillary benefits of a low-cost peak program include reduced emissions, energy independence, resiliency, and hedged fuel-price risks, as well as the ability to retire uneconomic fossil fuel assets early, the author writes.

By Ronald DiFelice • March 20, 2020