Regulators slash Kentucky Power rate request, demand side management programs

The utility's average demand side management residential surcharge has risen about 20-fold, from about $0.50 to $10.50 a month, the Kentucky Public Service Commission noted.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2018

Louisiana regulators to investigate MISO energy warning from last week

The grid operator requested customers reduce energy last Thursday as the system faced extreme weather and high demand, threatening energy shortages. Utility regulators say there is "no reason" for Louisiana to be short of power.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 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

PG&E to install 7,500 EV chargers in Northern, Central California

The company's EV Charge Network program will place the devices at condominiums, apartment buildings and workplaces, including at sites in disadvantaged communities.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2018

There once was an energy storage system on Nantucket...

When the island's summer population swells, peak energy demand doubles. That's a recipe for disaster in a town dependent on tourism. But energy storage may be the answer.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

Why are the newest distribution system buzzwords 'hosting capacity analysis'?

To meet customer demand for distributed energy resources, utilities need to know what their systems can handle.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 17, 2018

Ameren Missouri residential customers to pay lower monthly efficiency charge

The change is due to the costs of approved energy efficiency programs under the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2018

Predictions 2018: Customer engagement, smart energy platforms key DR trends this year

Five experts gave their forecasts on what this year will bring for demand response.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 10, 2018

Puerto Rico Gov. Rosselló proposes overhaul of energy regulator

The new plan came only days after the Puerto Rico Energy Commission proposed new rules for microgrid development on the island.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • Jan. 10, 2018

New York clean energy proposal seeks 1.5 GW of storage, coal phaseout

The plan also calls for solicitations in 2018 and 2019 for 800 MW of offshore wind and new energy efficiency targets by April.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2018

FERC: Demand response fell 10% in power markets in 2016

The resource met 5.7% of peak demand two years ago, a significant decline from a high of 6.6% in 2015. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2018

Could rate design help California's struggle with flat demand?

The commercial and industrial sector could be the front line for rate design experimentation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 27, 2017

Has Xcel Minnesota designed the ideal residential time-of-use rate?

The pilot program, to determine if price signals can get customers to shift energy usage away from peak times, has garnered wide acclaim. The main concern? it doesn't start soon enough.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2017

Con Edison seeks 'non-pipe' solutions to address peak gas demand

The New York utility is considering investing at least $100 million annually in a bid to avoid construction of a major new gas pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2017

Enhancing customer engagement: A utility roadmap for the Amazon era

Utilities are well-positioned to provide new products and energy options, writes ICF's Phil Mihlmester, who offers several paths for companies to increase customer satisfaction and grow their business.

By Philip Mihlmester • Dec. 21, 2017

Natural gas, water heaters, connected devices and EVs lead DR trends to watch

Peak Load Management Alliance Executive Director Ed Thomas talks about trends in an industry that is being fundamentally changed by energy technology.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2017

UPDATED: New York advances efficiency plans, focusing on load control and demand management

State regulators recently approved an expanded budget for Consolidated Edison's HVAC control program, and the New York Power Authority has approved contracts with firms to provide efficiency and energy technology services.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2017

Demand charges or 'efficiency rates'? EEI wants a wording change

A Powerpoint obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute shows trade group Edison Electric Institute suggesting utilities call controversial demand charges "efficiency rates."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 20, 2017

Electrify America taps Greenlots to support $2B community-based EV charging initiative

Greenlots will deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure for up to 900 stations in large cities, including Boston, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and others.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017

Path to zero carbon: Navigating the urban energy transformation

The emerging Urban Energy Cloud vision is of a smart city that integrates large- and small-scale energy initiatives and solutions, citywide improvements in energy efficiency and low carbon transportation.

By Eric Woods • Dec. 18, 2017

Tendril energy management platform reduced utilities' HVAC load 85% in summer

First introduced last year, the company's Orchestrated Energy platform rolled out in 15 states in partnerships with Indiana Michigan Power and Xcel Energy, to name a few. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2017

National Grid finds an electric approach to natural gas demand response

The company is learning a lot about its new program to reduce gas use at peak times, including the need to sit down with customers and explain the benefits.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

NRG to launch C&I energy management platform in joint partnership

The energy company paired up with Cummins to deploy a distributed energy platform with "hundreds of megawatts" of capacity by early 2018. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

The new demand response and the future of the power sector

New reports show system operators and utilities are turning distributed energy resources into demand response and leveraging two-way communications for new levels of price responsiveness.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2017

States can't bar efficiency technologies from wholesale electricity markets, FERC rules

The decision, responding to a petition from Advanced Energy Economy to clarify the commission's authority, is seen as a win for advocates of demand management technologies.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2017

As grid modernization accelerates, which states are in the lead, and why?

California, Illinois and Texas are at the top, according to the latest GridWise survey, with Rhode Island, Colorado and Washington showing the biggest improvement over the prior rankings.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 5, 2017