2017 Utility Customer Study: Evaluating the reliability of utility providers

Reliability has been a table stake for utilities for decades, but being ‘out of sight’ has led to being ‘out of mind’ among many utility customers. 

June 13, 2017

US could lag on battery research if Trump's proposed budget clears, researchers warn

Budget cuts to the Department of Energy could result in an outflow of U.S. research talent to countries with better-funded programs, such as China, Japan and South Korea. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2017

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

KCP&L thermostat program shows how regulatory design can make or break DSM

In the utility's Missouri service territory, its partnership with Nest is going strong. But in Kansas, regulators are wary of the program's costs.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2017

New York will sink $1.5B into renewable energy projects to spur clean energy jobs

The "unprecedented investment" of $1.5 billion in major renewable energy projects is part of an effort to attract 40,000 jobs to the state by 2020. 

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2017

Low carbon prices hang over RGGI as June auction approaches

In the March auction, CO2 allowances sold for $3/short ton, the lowest price in more than three years.

By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2017

What's the future for demand response under PJM's new capacity and aggregation rules?

Vendors blame new market rules for diminished DR capacity in a recent auction, but some see ways forward for the resource. 

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2017

More than 30 states embrace grid modernization, new policy tracker finds

A new quarterly report from the folks who brought you "50 States of Solar" aims to chronicle grid modernization initiatives across the U.S.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2017

El Paso Electric opens first demand response pilot

The utility's first demand response program will be available to 3,000 residential and small commercial customers in Texas and New Mexico.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2017

DOE lab embarks on two projects to help California hit 'zero net energy' residential goal

The state wants all new residential buildings to be energy-neutral by 2020.

By Robert Walton • May 30, 2017

PSEG CEO wants regulatory reforms to boost efficiency, renewables in New Jersey

The state has strong goals for renewable energy, but PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo said "We have only taken baby steps in the area of energy efficiency."  

By Robert Walton • May 25, 2017

Cheap natural gas pushes utilities toward more sophisticated demand-side management

Idaho Power and SoCal Edison are among utilities testing new tactics to prevent customers leaving demand response programs. 

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2017

PJM capacity auction: 2 Exelon nukes fail to clear as DR reels from new performance rules

New capacity performance standards helped push demand response offerings down 17%. Meanwhile, the Quad Cities and Three Mile Island plants continue to struggle. 

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2017

The state of US wholesale power markets: Is reliability at risk from low prices?

Robbie Orvis from Energy Innovation explores why generator revenues are shrinking and how the decline isn't a problem for reliability. 

By Robbie Orvis • May 22, 2017

How Indiana Michigan Power helps C&I customers bring their flexibility to market

Key to the continued success of the utility's emergency DR program will be adapting to coming changes in PJM capacity auctions.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2017

Electric vehicles can be grid assets or liabilities. How utilities plan will decide.

New communications protocols and time-varying rates are needed to help utilities managing EV charging, a new SEPA paper argues.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 17, 2017

ACEEE: 32 cities improve energy efficiency score, Boston tops list

Boston, New York and Seattle topped the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's biannual scorecard that ranks 51 U.S. cities on energy-saving efforts.

By Kristin Musulin , Jackie Snow • May 16, 2017

National Grid taps AutoGrid to manage DR, DER projects in Northeast territory

The partnership is expected to enroll over 400 MW of demand response and distributed energy resource programs over three years.

By Peter Maloney • May 12, 2017

Hawaii PUC nixes Hawaiian Electric bid to purchase oil power plant

Hawaii regulators said the benefit to ratepayers was "marginal," particularly since the utility has to hit 100% renewables by 2045.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Michigan regulators to decide fate of Palisades nuclear contract by August

The Michigan Public Service commission held public meetings this week focusing on a plan to terminate a nuclear power purchase agreement between Consumers Energy and plant operator Entergy.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

In Massachusetts, utilities take a collaborative approach to EV infrastructure

The state wants to see a 50-fold increase in electric vehicles, prompting a novel charging buildout approach from utilities.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2017

Xcel strikes grid modernization settlement with Colorado stakeholders

The utility submitted a $562 million proposal last year to upgrade its grid system and security efforts.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 10, 2017

Virginia governor signs 11 energy bills, including solar, pumped hydro proposals

A slew of energy bills landed on the desk of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), including measures on community solar pilot projects, green development zones and rate approval for new pumped storage projects.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

Study: Storage, renewables could replace New York's Indian Point nuke

A new study shows replacing lost capacity from Indian Point with storage and clean energy could save state ratepayers $315 million over a 5-year span. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 9, 2017

Itron acquires demand response provider Comverge for $100M

Integration with the AMI giant will allow Comverge to develop a "more compelling offer that leverages data and analytics to optimize the management of distributed energy resources."

By Gavin Bade • May 8, 2017

Boulder plans to double EV charging ports by summer

The progressive Colorado city wants to use a $100,000 grant from a nonprofit to boost the number of electric vehicles on the road. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 8, 2017