Power system sustainability ratings program aims to follow the LEED

It's been 18 years since the LEED certification was introduced for the building sector. Now, a similar program is targeting power systems.  

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2018

Nest to provide 1M smart thermostats to low-income homes

Nest partnered with utility programs, government and housing finance agencies, and non-profit organizations to help low-income households reduce bills. 

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2018

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

Hawaii Gov. Ige signs law mandating performance-based utility regulation

The law goes further than other performance-based efforts, directing the PUC to "break the direct link" between utility revenues and capital investments.

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2018

FERC approves PJM proposal to implement energy efficiency market restrictions

But the agency refused to revisit a December order that barred states from blocking energy efficiency from participating in wholesale markets. 

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2018

Access to data: Bringing the electricity grid into the Information Age

Timely and convenient access to utility and customer data is vital to moving the electric utility industry into the digital age, unlocking value and engaging customers in new ways, AEE's Coley Girouard writes.

By Coley Girouard • April 23, 2018

New York accelerates 2025 energy efficiency targets by 40%

The goal is annual electric efficiency savings of 3% of investor-owned utility sales in 2025.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2018

North Carolina regulatory staff reject Duke Energy's prepaid efficiency proposal

Staff at the state utility commission say the company's proposed efficiency program is not the appropriate approach to give consumers more power over their energy consumption. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2018

The shifting winds of near-term renewable energy demand drivers

As project economics have grown more compelling in recent years – particularly in the case of wind in the middle of the country – corporate investment has increased.

By Mason Smith, Matt Mooren and Lili Gao • April 17, 2018

Transportation electrification should build on energy efficiency and renewables program success

States should build on the foundation of strong energy efficiency and renewable energy policies to accelerate the public benefits of transportation electrification, attorney Robin Lunt writes.

By Robin Lunt • April 13, 2018

Utilities, DER providers face off over market access at FERC meeting

Grid operators and utilities want to ensure that new distributed resources do not threaten reliability, while DER providers are wary they will use the argument as an excuse to stifle competition.

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2018

Washington regulators require utilities to offer smart meter opt-outs

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission directed companies to minimize opt-out charges to remove any disincentives. Utilities plan to begin installing meters as soon as August.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2018

DOE will partner with manufacturers to improve energy efficiency

The Energy Department said the partnership is a result of its Better Plants program, which encourages voluntary goals aimed at a 25% reduction in energy intensity over a decade.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2018

Updated: California muni shelves gas plant to consider renewable options

The Glendale community becomes the latest on the list of jurisdictions reconsidering gas plant investments. 

By Gavin Bade • April 9, 2018

The two key questions about going to 100% renewables in Los Angeles

The city council wants its municipal utility to reach the clean energy goal, and a new report says it can by 2030 — if the utility can learn new ways.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2018

Energy efficiency, rooftop solar to trim New England power use, draft report says

The ISO New England findings align with a national trend of stagnant, even declining demand due to efficiency measures in particular.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 3, 2018

New York is changing the face of energy innovation

Launched in August of 2017 by New York State to help implement the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV),  REV Connect brings solution providers and New York’s six investor-owned utilities together to accelerate innovation.

April 3, 2018

Electric vehicles to dominate Hawaiian roads by 2045, HECO predicts

The utility laid out its plans to boost electric vehicle adoption and use the new demand to lower system costs.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2018

Market-based IRPs: A new paradigm for grid planning?

Instead of forecasts, utilities like Hawaiian Electric and Xcel are beginning to use real-world prices in their integrated resource plans, allowing them to better compare renewables and DERs to traditional grid investments. 

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2018

As concern grows over bitcoin's energy use, what's next for cryptocurrency?

There are many cryptocurrencies out there, but Bitcoin is the biggest. And cities and towns where mining operations are greatly increasing energy demand are taking action.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

Itron, Sonnen say battery partnership will let utilities maximize grid efficiency

The demand response-enabled system will store and discharge energy to keep electric bills low and maximize the use of solar energy, the companies said.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

MISO could reduce 22.5 GW from summer peak with demand-side management strategy, study says

Applied Energy Group said a combination of demand response and distributed energy resources could help reduce summer peak. Most of the savings will likely stem from efficiency, which could reduce it by 11 GW. 

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2018

C&I demand response grows half a world away from its starting point

Navigant Principal Research Analyst Brett Feldman looks at recent demand response initiatives in the commercial and industrial sectors in Australia and Japan.

By Brett Feldman • March 23, 2018

Energy groups see $1.3 trillion omnibus as repudiation of Trump priorities

The budget bill, approved by the House and Senate on Thursday, would boost clean energy funding at DOE and increase appropriations for co-ops to expand rural broadband service.

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2018

Omnibus spending bill rejects Trump EPA, DOE cuts

EPA spending would remain stable under a Congressional budget bill released Wednesday night, while DOE clean energy funding would increase by nearly $1.5 billion.

By Gavin Bade • March 22, 2018

Time is not on their side: Utilities ill-prepared for EV demand, SEPA finds

Most utilities remain in the very early stages of preparing for a significant jump in demand, according to the Smart Electric Power Alliance.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2018