VPP vs. VPP: Customer-owned DER aggregators challenge Xcel-owned batteries in Minnesota docket

The Minnesota decision could affect how regulators see virtual power plants nationwide.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2026

Southeast utilities lag national efficiency averages despite ‘low-hanging fruit’: SACE

In its latest regional efficiency report, the environmental group recommends targeted weatherization, stronger oversight and an end to broad industrial efficiency exemptions.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 18, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Efficiency

With hostilities between the U.S., Israel and Iran driving up global energy prices and a surge in domestic electricity demand from large-load data centers, manufacturing and electrification, efficiency could play a key role in meeting that demand as economically as possible. 

By Utility Dive staff

City’s adoption of efficiency metric signals less reliance on third-party building certifications

Developers could still use LEED or other certifications to meet green building goals in Alexandria, Virginia, but the energy use intensity metric gives them an option just focused on efficiency.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 18, 2026

Efficiency, demand flexibility can meet growing data center loads — and do so cheaply: ACEEE

Large utility programs provide energy efficiency for about $21/MWh, while new combined-cycle gas plants cost at least twice that, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy said.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2026

Trump administration moves to require 100% domestic materials in EV chargers

Renewable energy advocates say the proposal would further delay the buildout of charging station infrastructure and undermine U.S. competitiveness.

By Nathan Owens • Feb. 17, 2026

New Mexico VPP bill would allow third-party aggregators to participate

If the bill becomes law, the state’s three investor-owned utilities would need to offset 15% of peak demand and allow customers to lock in rates for five years.

By Brian Martucci • Updated May 21, 2026

Data centers can tap batteries, microgrids for faster interconnection: NEMA

Battery systems are “increasingly critical” for data center operators willing to pay a premium for resilience and faster time to power, industry analysts say.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 10, 2026

New York City adopts 2025 energy codes with focus on electrification, efficiency

The NYC Energy Conservation Code enhances requirements for backup electric heating, mandates air-leak testing for all buildings and places demand response requirements for commercial water heating and lighting. 

By Joe Burns • Feb. 10, 2026

Federal energy assistance programs survive budget gauntlet

Budget bills passed by Congress and signed by President Trump maintain funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 4, 2026

Why reinforcement learning belongs in residential utility billing

Accurate billing is often treated as a back-office function, but billing errors undermine customer confidence, discourage conservation and expose utilities to risk, writes Metergy Solutions analyst Yueqi Tian.

By Yueqi Tian • Feb. 4, 2026

Energy Star gets full 2026 funding from Congress

Despite the Trump administration’s effort to eliminate the program, it received $33 million as part of a fiscal 2026 funding bill signed by the president.

By Joe Burns • Feb. 2, 2026

2026 US power sector outlook

Read Utility Dive's road map to the year ahead for FERC, affordability, renewable energy, distributed energy resources and more. 

By Meris Lutz • Jan. 30, 2026

Customers, don’t expect electric bill relief in 2026: ‘The cake is baked.’

Energy affordability has long been a problem for the poorest Americans, but now middle-income families are starting to feel the squeeze.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2026

Prime Data Centers uses closed-loop air and liquid cooling to earn Energy Star certifications

The Dallas-based developer and operator is one of a growing group of tech companies looking to reduce data centers’ impacts on the environment and customer energy bills.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 28, 2026

In 2026, virtual power plants must scale or risk being left behind

The AI data center frenzy is shifting utilities’ focus to large-scale generation. But advocates say flexible, distributed energy resources still provide the biggest bang for the buck, according to our 2026 DER outlook.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2026

Moody’s sees $3T in data center spending by 2030

The financial services company says costlier builds and power constraints could stretch out completion timelines, but demand remains strong.

By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 26, 2026

Gas sector takes furnace efficiency fight to Supreme Court

Advocates say proven energy-saving technologies can meet the stricter efficiency rules. The gas industry says the rules ban non-condensing furnaces and other products.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2026

Managed EV charging can save utilities and ratepayers money: report

By optimizing electric vehicle charging around peak times, utilities can delay costly distribution grid upgrades while cutting per-vehicle charging costs by 25% or more, Brattle Group said this month.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 21, 2026

New Jersey governor orders state to accelerate solar, storage and virtual power plants

Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who was sworn in Tuesday, also ordered regulators to study how to “modernize” the traditional electric utility business model, including by making utility profits “less dependent on capital spending.”

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2026

The data center dependency crisis: When our grid can’t function without big tech

We're sleepwalking into a future where our electric grid depends on the voluntary cooperation of private technology companies because the short-term benefits are too attractive to resist, writes Mothusi Pahl of Hartwell and Loche.

By Mothusi Pahl • Jan. 16, 2026

NJ governor seeks changes to ‘weaken’ large load tariff bill, lawmaker says

“We are not willing to bend to any changes to this bill,” Assemblyman David Bailey Jr. told Utility Dive. “If he does nothing, in essence, he pocket vetoes it ... That’s on him.”

By Meris Lutz • Jan. 15, 2026

Xcel defends storage ownership in distributed capacity pilot

The Minnesota utility floated modifications to its Capacity*Connect proposal, but it maintained it should own the batteries as it builds out the program. Stakeholders argued for more competition.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2026

Why robust planning is central to data center success

The size and pace of data center creation is a major shift for utilities and builders on many levels.

Jan. 12, 2026

Illinois sets 3-GW energy storage target, requires utilities to develop virtual power plants

Electricity bills in Illinois rose 15% last year. A new law aims to reduce energy costs by incentivizing new resources, expanding solar and growing efficiency programs.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2026

Utilities under pressure: 6 power sector trends to watch in 2026

Facing rising demand and aggressive load growth projections, utilities are rolling out massive spending plans. Now they'll have to walk a fine line with regulators and ratepayers.

By Meris Lutz , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland , Diana DiGangi • Jan. 8, 2026