Report: Appliance standards generate big savings for energy consumers

A new report finds the average American family saves almost $500 a year due to standards for appliances and lighting.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2017

ARPA-E 2017: Optimism turns to tension as sector prepares to protect energy R&D funding

The prospect of Trump budget cuts hung over the federal government's clean energy research summit this year.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 1, 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

Green groups: Indian Point nuke can be replaced with other carbon-free resources

Efficiency and transmission upgrades can help New York replace the Indian Point nuclear facility without turning to fossil fuels, according to a new study.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2017

Pushing for scalability, utilities look to new hybrid models for microgrid deployment

Utilities are searching for standardized microgrid models that allow both end users and the wider grid to benefit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2017

Updated: California lawmaker proposes to target 100% renewables by 2045

The bill would also set California's current 50% renewables mandate deadline at 2025, instead of 2030. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 22, 2017

Missouri lawmakers want to lift efficiency program restrictions for low-income housing units

Missouri's Energy Efficiency Investment Act currently prohibits some low-income property owners from participating in demand management programs.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2017

Herding cats: California PUC President Picker on the new DER Action Plan

A new regulatory roadmap aims to guide the power sector into the distributed energy future, but is everyone along for the ride? 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 21, 2017

Bill would increase Nevada renewable energy mandate to 80% by 2040

AB 206 would eliminate the solar carve-out in the current 20% RPS, but would allow utilities to count residential solar toward their clean power goals. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 17, 2017

Illinois regulators approve ComEd's smart meter data sharing program

The new program will give third party providers access to anonymous energy usage data for all zip codes where the utility has smart meters.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

Report: Minnesota efficiency push could spawn 15,000 direct jobs by 2030

Reducing energy use in some segments of the state's buildings could save consumers $3.1 billion, according to analysis by the BlueGreen Alliance.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

Delaware picks energyOrbit to track the state's energy programs

The company's cloud-based platform will track and report progress on efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

To boost efficiency, survey says utilities must tighten contractor relationships

Between efficiency program design and actual savings, someone has to install the upgrades. There, a new DNV GL survey finds room for stronger utility partnerships.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

Residential storage can undercut benefits of rooftop solar, says new study

A new study in Nature Energy finds storing rooftop solar can increase emissions and energy consumption.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

National Grid launches its first commercial & industrial demand response program

Business customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island can earn credits of up to $35/kWh for peak demand reductions.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

ACEEE: Demand response can save 10% off peak demand — if utilities use it

Utilities long on capacity are "probably less likely to call much of their available demand response resource," the efficiency nonprofit reports.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

DistribuTECH 2017: Why utilities are skeptical about transactive energy

Blockchain-based power trading on the distribution system has captured the imagination of many in the power sector — just not the companies at its center.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2017

FERC lifts restrictions on demand response in organized power markets

The NRDC and New York PSC argued wholesale market rules unreasonably prevented consumers from participating in both wholesale and retail DR programs.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2017

Going local: How CPS Energy harnessed 100 MW of DSM with a smart thermostat program

Local partnerships, social media and a hefty rebate helped CPS rapidly grow customer interest in its residential demand response program.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2017

Looming tax reforms and regulatory changes could challenge utilities' financials

If proposed tax reforms and regulatory changes from the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration succeed, what will they mean for utilities? 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2017

Honeywell, Whisker Labs introduce home energy management software

Honeywell's Connected Savings demand management platform will be integrated into its portfolio of software and services for utilities.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 6, 2017

Zibelman exit interview: How the New York REV is paving the way for transactive energy

As she prepares to leave her post, New York PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman says the REV docket is well on its way to transforming utility operations.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2017

Shape, shimmy, shed: Renewables are revamping DR's future value in California

Growing flexibility and renewable resources mean simple peak load curtailment will have less value in the future.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2017

Texas co-op group forms partnership with Advanced Microgrid Solutions

AMS will install a 200 kWh storage facility for Texas Electric Cooperatives and provide preferred pricing for its 75 member co-ops. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 27, 2017

Bidgely's demand management platform helps Ontario utility customers achieve 2% energy savings

London Hydro is the first utility in Ontario to deploy a demand management system that leverages the data-sharing initiative Green Button web portal and app. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2017

Comverge inks DR, efficiency contract for commercial customers in Midwest

The company's growth in the commercial segment highlights utility efforts to expand their demand management programs. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2017