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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

Leading by example: Lawmakers should step up performance contracts on federal buildings

Bills introduced by four members of Congress could send a powerful pro-energy efficiency message across the country.

By Charles Hernick • Aug. 8, 2019

What's the best role for utilities as EVs proliferate? With Pepco, DC aims to find the right balance

A Public Service Commission order raises questions about how and if third-party charging companies should be regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2019

Are codes and standards the missing pieces to drive DR market transformation?

Codifying demand response-ready technologies will help increase their market penetration, reduce implementation costs for DR programs, and provide vendors with clear and standardized technology requirements.

By Lucas Schroyer • Aug. 7, 2019

California opens $1B in efficiency funding to electrification

The California Public Utilities Commission used to discourage substituting electricity for gas. Now, advocates say that's exactly what the state must do.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2019

Utilities' embrace of DER technologies previews the coming decade of DSM

The utility of the future must actively engage customers through demand side management initiatives, according to Navigant, which identified eight key drivers for evolving energy efficiency and demand response programs.

By Jessie Mehrhoff • July 31, 2019

Senate committee unanimously approves $1 billion for EV, natural gas and hydrogen fuel infrastructure

President Trump tweeted support for the bill Tuesday morning, saying "it will have BIG IMPACT on our highways and roads all across our Nation."

By Max Witynski • July 31, 2019

Senators propose national efficiency standard to save 22% of electric utility energy by 2035

The measure could generate $150 billion in net savings by 2030, according to efficiency advocates.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2019

Bipartisan efficiency legislation targets buildings, industry and federal government

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, have introduced efficiency legislation together for years with little success. Advocates say the new bill is the best yet, but it faces builder opposition.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2019