Energy efficiency helps housing affordability, especially for low-income families

Left unchecked, rising energy costs can compromise the quality and long-term affordability of rental homes for low-income Californians, Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister and NRDC's Maria Stamas write.

By Maria Stamas and Andrew McAllister • Oct. 15, 2018

Grid Mod: Transactive and distributed tech demand a new approach

Utilities must prove to regulators that grid upgrades will help integrate a new class of resources reliably and cost-effectively.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2018

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

Electric Vehicles: The Swiss army knife of the grid

Experts see a future where electric vehicles provide an array of grid services, from demand response to soaking up excess renewable generation.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2018

DOE: Efficiency partnership with US manufacturers is saving billions

The Trump administration has not always shown enthusiasm when it comes to energy efficiency, but its "Better Plants" partnership with the manufacturing sector is showing results.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2018

Northwest utilities return to normal gas service after Enbridge pipeline rupture

The incident in British Columbia reduced natural gas supply to generators operated by Puget Sound Energy and Avista, as well as residential and commercial customers. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Oct. 12, 2018

DC's aggressive clean energy bill gets initial hearing

The bill would require the District to use 100% renewable energy by 2032. Currently, the city is on track to get 50% of its energy from renewable sources in that time.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 11, 2018

As companies like Lyft and UPS electrify fleets, local incentives can play a key role

Chicago’s Drive Clean Truck Program is a great example of an innovative incentive for alternative fuel and electric vehicles, Illinois Commerce Commissioner Anastasia Palivos writes.

By Anastasia Palivos, Ritta Merza and Emily Brumit • Oct. 9, 2018

Regulators trim Kentucky Utilities' demand management programs

While the Public Service Commission's decision will allow Kentucky Utilities to extend many energy efficiency programs, regulators found some not pulling their weight.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2018

How Coral Gables, FL uses smart tech to prepare for hurricane season

As Florida braces for Hurricane Michael, the city will rely on a "well-planned and engineered network" to maintain critical communications and boost resiliency. 

By Chris Teale • Oct. 9, 2018

Arizona regulator wants to adopt 80% clean energy plan before gas moratorium ends

Commissioner Andy Tobin wants to have the Arizona Energy Modernization Plan adopted as a final rule by the middle of February — significantly faster than typical rulemaking proceedings.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2018

States spent $400M more last year on energy efficiency, ACEEE finds

New Jersey improved the most while Iowa fell farthest in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's annual state energy efficiency ranking.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2018

Proposed Pepco substation highlights DC's grid modernization battle

Pepco's proposed substation faces pushback from district residents and environmentalists as the utility looks to modernize the capital's grid in response to changing demand and population growth. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2018

Duke to install 530 EV chargers in Florida, study grid integration

The utility will focus EV charging infrastructure efforts on public spaces, making 10% of the installations in lower-income communities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2018

Coal lobby pleased as Trump nominates ally McNamee to FERC

The Department of Energy official is expected to align closer with White House priorities than former Commissioner Robert Powelson, who stepped down in August. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Oct. 4, 2018

9 solar and storage executives share utility wish lists

From sharing system data to opening grid plans to DERs, distributed energy vendors have a long list of priorities for utilities to address.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 2, 2018

When PJM's capacity market stops working for consumers is it time to leave?

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan urges states with renewable energy mandates or nuclear subsidies to reevaluate their participation in the largest U.S. electricity market.

By Brien J. Sheahan​ • Oct. 2, 2018

New solar hybrid combines energy storage with record system efficiency

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Saudi Arabia say they have developed a device that could help electrify remote areas.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2018

PSEG unveils 6-year clean energy plan, spending $2.8B on energy efficiency

The $4 billion plan includes investments in energy storage, smart meters and electric vehicle infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2018

'Not your grandma's DER': Distributed resources modernize, prove value to grid

Portfolios of DER are finally operating and showing how customer-sited resources can be of great value to utilities and system operators.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 27, 2018

Nevada approves 4-part plan to integrate more DER

The plans garnered support from clean energy advocates ahead of the state's ballot initiatives to spur renewable energy growth and to do away with regulated utility monopolies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2018

NYPA head Quiniones outlines next steps to digitize the grid

Over the next two years, the New York Power Authority's digitization initiative will focus on adding sensors and identifying third-party partners for its data-driven decision support system, CEO Gil Quiniones says.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 27, 2018

New Tendril home platform aims to capitalize on rising grid connections

The company says its home energy system can give utilities all they need for a demand side management program, from system planning to customer segmentation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2018

Utilities, carmakers launch campaign to cut US transportation energy use 50% by 2050

As the Trump Administration proposes to freeze fuel efficiency standards, a diverse coalition has formed to reinvent transportation for a modern world.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2018

New Siemens tool helps cities calculate electric transport infrastructure needs

The eMobility calculator can tell leaders how many chargers will be needed and forecast the impact of electrification on parking and land use.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 26, 2018

The top 3 headaches for behind-the-meter C&I storage

Executives working on energy storage deployment in the commercial and industrial market sound off on recent trends and changes in the sector, including the biggest difficulties for BTM.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 26, 2018