Greening the ramp: California looks to carbon-free resources to combat the 'duck curve'

A new law directs utilities to plan non-emitting resources to serve peak demand, sparking new debates about resource adequacy and the future of gas generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2017

Report: Less than 1/3 of utility customers enroll in energy management programs

A survey by the Association for Energy Services Professionals finds relatively low participation rates — but with solid growth expected.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2017

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

Utilities dispatched 10.7 GW of demand response in 2016, SEPA-Navigant report says

The demand response dispatch included 78% of enrolled capacity, according to the report. The greatest flexibility comes from water heaters.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2017

Energy efficiency as a resource: The power of getting more from less

AEE’s Ryan Katofsky explores traditional and “pay for performance” approaches to getting the biggest bang for the energy-saving buck. 

By Ryan Katofsky • Oct. 18, 2017

Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging

Utilities are offering new community solar customer segments with no upfront costs and combining it with demand response and storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 16, 2017

California Gov. Brown signs bill directing utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

The new law, SB 338, requires utilities to develop carbon-free alternatives to gas generation for meeting peak demand in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 12, 2017

Pruitt's move to repeal CPP sets up prolonged battle over carbon regulations

Critics say it could be years before EPA head Scott Pruitt replaces the Clean Power Plan, effectively halting any efforts to regulate carbon emissions. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 11, 2017

New $2M grant to boost efficiency efforts for Maryland manufacturers

The three-year grant would target 50 state-based companies to invest in next generation efficiency technology and will generate an estimated $1.2 million in savings. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

Puente gas plant should not be approved, California energy committee says

A California Energy Commission committee said the proposed NRG Energy project would spark "significant unmitigated environmental effects" and fail to align with several policies and laws. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

Harvard survey: Only one-third of businesses have developed resiliency plans

If city leaders want businesses to get on board with resiliency and sustainability plans, they should target their concerns: costs and continuity of operations.

By Cody Boteler • Oct. 5, 2017

Western states push to expand EV charging network

The electric vehicle corridor will knit together 5,000 miles of freeways and 11 interstates across seven Western states. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

California grid operator urges less fossil-fuel use in new report

The decline of gas-fired generation, decentralizing electrical service and regional coordination are among the eight trends identified by CAISO.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

How Target uses demand response to cut energy, supply chain costs

Target has 815 locations in 31 states enrolled in 140 different programs, allowing the company to cut HVAC 36,000 times over the course of six months.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Oct. 4, 2017

Illinois to track emission reductions related to advanced metering

The new smart grid metric will focus on Ameren's grid where the utility has installed smart meters.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2017

Massachusetts stays atop NGO's state energy efficiency rankings

California dropped to second in the 2017 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard issued by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2017

ABB shores up electrification business with $2.6B GE unit purchase

The Swiss company expects its acquisition of GE Industrial solutions will close by mid 2018 and increase its presence in North America.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2017

The energy-driven smart home has arrived

The future we only imagined a few years ago is already here. Energy management is now being embedded into our smart homes. And, our utility is the one making it possible.

Sept. 28, 2017

Arizona utility will use 'reverse demand response' to avoid renewables curtailment

Growth in renewable energy has occasionally led to excess power and negative pricing. Utilities are finding creative ways to help balance the system while lowering costs.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2017

What California's heat wave revealed about demand response

New demand response settlements for California’s wholesale markets haven't been implemented, but the heat wave showed they are necessary. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2017

Advanced metering: Making the most of connectivity for a modern grid

AEE's Coley Girouard outlines how the power sector can make the most of advanced metering infrastructure in the first of a seven-part opinion series. 

By Coley Girouard • Sept. 20, 2017

NYC mayor targets large buildings in proposed efficiency program

If approved, the program would require more than 14,000 buildings in the city to make significant retrofits by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2017

Illinois regulators approve lower efficiency goals for Ameren

The goals were set last year under the Future Energy Jobs Act, but the Illinois Commerce Commission will allow the utility to make changes to its savings plan.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2017

Bill to California governor would direct utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

SB 338 would compel utilities to include considerations for peak demand management with storage, efficiency and DERs in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 11, 2017

APS proposes 'reverse demand response' in new demand-side management plan

The utility wants to move non-residential loads of at least 30 kW to times of the day when renewable generation is abundant.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2017