New York utilities seek non-wire alternatives in REV-inspired RFP

ConEdison and New York State Electric & Gas have each issued solicitations aimed at avoiding the need for new wires and old-style generation.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2016

Utilities want to make money at the edge of the grid, but how?

Energy efficiency and demand-side management top the list of emerging revenue streams in Utility Dive's recent survey of more than 500 utility professionals. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 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

Oregon bill to curb coal, boost renewables amended to give PUC more oversight

Amid concerns concerns utility regulators had not been consulted, and the possibility for higher rates, Oregon's Senate made changes to a measure aimed at phasing out coal use and setting a 50% renewable energy standard. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2016

Rhode Island bank to shell out $25M in efficiency financing

The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank is funding $25 million in efficiency projects, and state officials say the program is off to a strong start.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2016

'A battery in every basement': How the lowly water heater could power the smart grid

A new coalition of co-ops, environmentalists and demand response is seeking to harness the power of a different sort of energy storage. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2016

Partnering for success: Utilities leverage innovative vendor relationships at the grid edge

From smart meters to distribution automation and residential storage, opportunities abound for utilities bold enough to reach out to innovative third parties. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2016

FERC: No plans to reconsider demand response compensation

As the dust settles following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Order 745, some have called for FERC to reconsider how demand response is valued. But three of the commission's four members say there are no plans to change compensation.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2016

Why the Supreme Court stay on the Clean Power Plan 'means nothing' for efficiency

The high court's decision to stay the Obama administration's signature climate legislation is unprecedented, but for energy efficiency the gains were already in the works.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2016

Northwest to lean heavily on efficiency to meet 20 years of demand

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council has approved a 20-year plan to reliably supply the region with electricity, and expects to meet most new demand with energy efficiency.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2016

Missouri PSC greenlights Ameren's $158M efficiency plan

The utility's last efficiency proposal was rejected by state regulators, but this week they approved a slate of efficiency programs targeting $425 million in customer benefits.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2016

How the US can unlock efficiency's potential to meet energy demand

A new Regulatory Assistance Project study says it will take an "all hands on deck" approach to meet almost a third of energy demand in 2026 through efficiency. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2016

Pennsylvania utilities prep for time-of-use pilot

Duquesne Light recently received the go-ahead for a time-of-use pricing program that will leverage up to 200,000 smart meters this summer.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2016

Report: Unlocking energy data could help consumers boost efficiency savings

There are more than 50 million smart meters installed in the United States, and if consumers could access the data they collect, it would unlock billions in savings.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2016

California ISO approves proposals to bolster storage and demand response

The California ISO has approved several proposals aimed at further integrating distributed energy resources into the states's wholesale power market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 4, 2016

Massachusetts approves $1.2B National Grid energy efficiency investment

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved utility energy efficiency plans through 2018, and the National Grid said its plan will save $3.6 billion over the lifetime of the utility's investments.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

FERC Order 745 ruling a 'good omen' for Clean Power Plan, say legal experts

How much the justices decide to defer to agency interpretation of the law could be a key factor in a future CPP case.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

Clinton campaign targets $70B in annual savings for new efficiency plan

The plan includes ways to unlock private capital for efficiency investments, including grants to support the development of successful financing mechanisms, such as the expansion of Property Assessed Clean Energy programs.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

What the Supreme Court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response and DERs

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold federal authority over demand response in wholesale markets is a return to business as usual for some, but a new opportunity for behind-the-meter service providers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

NERC: Efficiency helps slash peak demand growth rates to lowest levels ever

Peak demand is growing at less than 1% annually, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which says energy efficiency is partly to credit.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

Obama administration to improve building efficiency 20% by 2020

As part of the Better Buildings Program, 18 utilities have agreed to give building owners access to energy usage data in order to improve efficiency.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

PECO: Efficiency programs yield $500M in customer savings

PECO said its Smart Ideas efficiency program is the most successful in Pennsylvania, helping save customers roughly 2.2 million MWh of electricity.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Ohio Gov. Kasich pledges to reinstate clean energy standards if lawmakers try to cut them

If Ohio lawmakers continue pushing to keep renewables and energy efficiency standards frozen, Gov. John Kasich (R) has said as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination that he will support the original, "unpalatable" goals. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

Addressing DR Duality: Providers seek uniform policies in new strategy report

Just days before the Supreme Court weighed in FERC Order 745, a broad stakeholder group issued a report calling for a better understanding of the load management strategy and a broader integration alongside other distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

What to expect from California utilities' new aggregated demand response offerings

Under a new auction, California utilities will meet grid demand with traditional demand response, stationary batteries and electric vehicles. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2016

Updated: Supreme Court upholds FERC Order 745, affirming federal role in demand response

The nation's highest judicial body affirmed the agency's authority to regulate demand response programs in wholesale markets in its decision.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 25, 2016