How rate reform can help turn energy efficiency into a 'profit center' for utilities

Traditional ratemaking makes energy efficiency a burden to utilities, but smart regulation can create opportunities for both revenue growth and power conservation.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

For grid flexibility, utilities pushed to think beyond gas plants and storage

There are more cost-effective methods to enhance the power system's responsiveness, a new paper reports.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

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

Community Storage Initiative touts diverse backers, including EEI, NRECA, APPA

The group is calling for more information sharing and collaborative development of distributed storage solutions.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 26, 2016

Report: Better efficiency planning delivers enhanced benefits for low-income, minority communities

Low-income families spend more than 7% of their income on energy, compared with 2.3% for higher-income households, according to new data from the American Council for an Energy-Efficienct Economy.

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2016

ComEd touts new solar incentives in Illinois legislative push

The utility has a slate of proposals in front of state lawmakers and on Friday, announced new rebates for solar customers to accompany proposed rate changes.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

Duke, Austin Energy, PG&E among demand response award recipients from PLMA

The Peak Load Management Alliance has highlighted eight innovative demand response programs from 2015, including offerings from Duke, PG&E and others.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2016

Ohio lawmakers consider extending freeze on renewables, efficiency standards

Waiting until Clean Power Plan litigation is concluded will give more certainty, lawmakers claim. Efficiency advocates warn the move could set the state even farther behind in compliance. 

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2016

How energy efficiency could become the new 'bridge fuel' to cut carbon

A new report from the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource finds slowing demand growth could drive down wholesale power prices more than 10%.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2016

SDG&E 'ahead of the curve' to meet California's 50% RPS with help from storage

Ahead of schedule in meeting RPS targets, San Diego Gas & Electric looks to storage and energy efficiency to accommodate more renewables.

By Peter Maloney • April 19, 2016

'Graceful transition': ISO-NE's CEO on how wholesale markets can ease decarbonization

A well-designed capacity market can help ensure reliability at high levels of renewable energy penetration, argues ISO-New England's Gordon van Welie.

By Gavin Bade • April 19, 2016

New Hampshire co-op rolls out slate of peak management programs

New Hampshire Electric Co-op will offer residents a time-of-use program which includes a 9 cent/kWh off-peak rate that jumps to $5.42/kWh during critical-peak periods.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2016

Will LA's historic gas leak knock Hollywood's lights out this summer?

California's energy agencies are pushing a slew of measures to compensate for the Aliso Canyon gas leak, but the larger issue of the state's natural gas reliance remains.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2016

New Hampshire electric co-op taps AutoGrid to run DR programs

New Hampshire Electric Cooperative has partnered with AutoGrid to provide three new residential and small and medium-sized business demand response programs.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2016

Nebraska lawmakers pass PACE bill to open up efficiency, renewable generation

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is expected to sign a bill allowing for property-assessed loans to residential and commercial property owners for efficiency upgrades.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2016

Study: Decoupling policies could boost efficiency spending, savings

Research by Fresh Energy and the Natural Resources Defense Council shows utilities with decoupled revenues are spending more on efficiency, subsequently saving more energy as a result.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2016

FirstEnergy to boost modest efficiency savings in West Virginia

Currently, the utilities are getting about 0.5% in efficiency savings, and the EIA describes West Virginia homes as some of the most inefficient in the nation.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2016

'Straight uphill': Power sector reforms face tough path in gridlocked Illinois legislature

Three utility-backed bills to support, nuclear generation, renewables and efficiency did not pass in the last session of the General Assembly. Stakeholders are now trying to role them into a single law.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2016

Survey: Homeowners choose efficiency upgrades to save money

It's still not the environment, but consumers' bottom lines, driving efficiency upgrades.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2016

Maryland Senate passes 25% RPS in clean energy jobs bill

Final votes in both legislative chambers are still needed to reconcile bill differences, but it appears the 25% renewable energy standard is on its way to Gov. Larry Hogan.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

How utilities can boost customer savings by marrying efficiency and DR programs

Demand response and energy efficiency programs, long separated by budgets, regulation and rigid thinking, are coming together as utilities seek more effective ways to manage their load.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Report: Energy efficiency still less expensive than building new power plants

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy studied 14 program administrators with "particularly high energy savings," and found they cost less than a nickel per kWh saved.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

HECO files grid modernization plan including $340M smart meter project

Hawaiian Electric wants to install smart grid technology for almost a half million customers on Oahu, Hawaii Island and in Maui County.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2016

SDG&E signs contracts for 20 MW of energy storage, 18.5 MW energy efficiency

The efficiency program aims to reduce usage in local commercial buildings.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2016

Chicago's REV: How ComEd is reinventing itself as a smart energy platform

ComEd wants to be the platform for a dynamic and distributed grid, but how they'll earn revenue on it remains an open question. Utility Dive spoke with CEO Anne Pramaggiore to learn more. 

By Gavin Bade • March 31, 2016

NH Senate votes to increase RGGI funds spent on low-income efficiency

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a measure to move more proceeds from the regional greenhouse gas compact towards low-income efficiency measures.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2016