ACEEE: 'Ambitious' energy efficiency could halve US emissions by 2050

If cities are to hit climate goals and remain in step with targets outlined in the Paris climate agreement, they will need to take bold action, a new American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report finds.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 19, 2019

San Jose becomes largest city requiring all-electric buildings, as local climate actions rise

The new requirements go into effect next year and aim to decrease solar and storage costs, increase the availability of electric vehicle charging and encourage the use of more efficient appliances.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2019

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

Trump administration threatens California emissions authority as state continues EV-focus

California passed six EV-related bills this legislative session, but its zero emissions vehicle rebate program could be threatened by EPA's actions.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 19, 2019

Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Burlington, Vermont's net zero energy roadmap showcases how utilities can lead on climate

The city's goal of eliminating fossil fuel use across the electric, thermal and ground transportation sectors, may be one of the most ambitious local climate goals in the nation, writes Burlington Electric's Darren Springer.

By Darren Springer • Sept. 18, 2019

The value of customer-sited storage: It's about more than demand charges, study finds

Surprise findings in the report from the Department of Energy's Berkeley Lab can help inform new rate structures for customer-sited storage.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2019

New England grid operator sees potential for year-round power constraints

Despite a tight supply-demand balance, ISO-NE said it expects to operate a reliable and affordable electric grid through transmission investments and a reliance on energy efficiency.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2019

Michigan urges MISO, PJM to improve regional reliability after Consumers compressor station fire

In a letter to the grid operators, the state's governor and head regulator called for quicker interconnection processes to improve regional resource diversity and a reexamination of demand response capabilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 12, 2019

City grids risk being overwhelmed by EV growth: Report

Electricity supplies could suffer without partnerships between utilities and city agencies, The Rocky Mountain Institute and Seattle City Light warned. 

By Chris Teale • Sept. 10, 2019

Duke updated IRP projects around 2.2 GW load growth, met with new natural gas

The utility plans to retire around 3.6 GW of coal by 2033, and plans to meet that capacity plus its projected load growth with gas as well as some solar and storage technologies.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 6, 2019

DOE downplays impact of new light bulb rules, but NGOs ready to sue

The U.S. Department of Energy says new standards for general service incandescent lamps are not economically justified. Efficiency advocates say they would save consumers billions. The fight is likely headed to court.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2019

Pittsburgh mayor introduces energy efficiency legislation

The proposal, requiring that new and upgraded government buildings be net-zero energy efficient, follows the city's first energy benchmarking report.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 4, 2019

Is PREPA ready for hurricane season?

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has "a fragile system," according to the utility's director of project management, and "it still hasn't been elevated to the codes and standards for a Category 4" storm.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2019

NFI, Penske to deploy electric trucks in Southern California

As carriers bring more electric vehicles into their operations, is it possible for shippers to request their goods be delivered using greener methods?

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 28, 2019

Rocky Mountain Power to operate largest US residential battery demand response project

Sonnen and the utility are partnering to build a virtual power plant at the new 600-unit apartment complex, with 12.6 MWh of energy capacity from a 5.2 MW solar array.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2019

Let's reduce wholesale market costs by tapping the full potential of DERs

"FERC should continue to enable more opportunities for DERs to contribute to the future of the grid ... we must unlock the potential of this fleet to create a more efficient grid for all," writes Sunrun's Chris Rauscher.

By Chris Rauscher • Aug. 27, 2019

DTE resource plan ignores dynamic modeling, undervalues solar, stakeholders complain

The utility's long-term plan is rigid in its resource assumptions, allowing uneconomic coal to stay online longer and undervaluing the potential benefits of renewables, according to expert testimony.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2019

Chicago implements energy rating system for buildings

Energy reduction is a key part of the city's eco-efficiency plans, with buildings accounting for about 72% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2019

An unexpected twist to the cannabis revolution

Agriculture production is being shifted to greenhouses and larger production factories and contributing to new demands on the power delivery system.

By Francisco Neto and Doug Houseman • Aug. 22, 2019

What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?

Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019

New CPUC efficiency goals are equivalent to reducing 658,000 cars-worth of GHGs

California's revised targets reflect declining potential in energy efficiency savings from utility rebate programs, due to lighting improvement savings.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2019

California OKs $100M SDG&E commercial EV charging plan, testing electric buses as grid assets

The school bus pilot program will test the ability to use electric vehicles as a distributed energy resource to improve the utility's load factor and reduce local air pollution.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019

EPA details renewables, efficiency health benefits as DOE slows energy savings progress

The agency says the report's purpose is to give state and local officials a clearer roadmap when developing policies around renewables and energy savings.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019

Seattle City Council passes resolution advancing Green New Deal

Council members' decision, which lays out various climate-friendly development strategies, was met with a standing ovation from spectators.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 14, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019