SMUD pilot shows customers don't like fixed rates

Customers prefer time-of-use and critical peak rate plans over standard flat charges, according to Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

By Claire Cameron • May 23, 2014

New details emerge on Xcel-solar industry Solar*Rewards settlement

The agreement does not address the controversial net energy metering debate that is widely considered crucial to further solar growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2014

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

ConEd CEO outlines T&D, efficiency investments

The utility is investing $2.5 billion annually to upgrade and maintain facilities, CEO John McAvoy told shareholders.

By Claire Cameron • May 19, 2014

How New York is reinventing the electric utility

NY PSC: "Distributed System Platform Providers" are the utility of the future.

By Claire Cameron • May 16, 2014

California grid wrestles with heat, rising demand and constrained supplies

California spot electricity prices hit the highest seasonal level in six years. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 15, 2014

PJM says it can meet summer peak demand

PJM Interconnection says it has enough capacity for the summer.

By Claire Cameron • May 14, 2014

Do utilities know what their customers really want?

Deloitte: Energy companies that figure out "behavioral connectivity" will be winners.

By Davide Savenije • May 14, 2014

FERC approves changes to PJM's demand response rules

But federal regulators have asked PJM to justify certain points before they give the full go-ahead.

By Claire Cameron • May 14, 2014

PJM power prices expected to rise as regulations take hold

FERC has capped the amount of imported power and limited demand response programs in a bid to drive up prices at the PJM Interconnection capacity auction this week.

By Claire Cameron • May 14, 2014

Partisan rancor kills bipartisan energy efficiency bill

U.S. Congress has not passed a major energy bill since 2005. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2014

Oncor to test battery storage on grid

Six battery storage units are to be added to the Dallas grid in the company's first major test of the energy storage technology.

By Claire Cameron • May 12, 2014

FirstEnergy defends Polar Vortex fee

The company said a one-off fee to rate payers to cover high costs this winter would have saved rate payers money in the long term.

By Claire Cameron • May 12, 2014

Will California's power supply dry up this summer?

As California could lose up to 1,669 MW of hydro due to a drought, new solar and gas-fired generation in California could help ensure the state can meet peak demand this summer. 

By Claire Cameron • May 12, 2014

How new market entrants are upending the utility business model

Companies like Google, NRG Energy and Tesla have "ambitions to become a new kind of utility."

By Davide Savenije • May 12, 2014

NY may eliminate renewable portfolio standard

New York's troubled Renewable Portfolio Standard, designed to boost renewable energy production in the state, may be replaced with a new Clean Energy Fund.

By Claire Cameron • May 11, 2014

HECO says it's ready to become the utility of the future

Hawaiian Electric Industries reaffirmed their commitment to leading Hawaii's energy transformation in a Q1 earnings call.

By Claire Cameron • May 9, 2014

New bill threatens Ohio efficiency, renewables mandates

Republicans have introduced a rival bill that could dislodge a compromise plan for Ohio's energy future.

By Claire Cameron • May 8, 2014

FirstEnergy rethinks retail strategy in 'volatile' market

FirstEnergy announced positive first quarter earnings on the strength of its regulated transmission and distribution businesses. 

By Claire Cameron • May 8, 2014

Allette pursues 'diverse' power supply

ALLETE reported solid first quarter earnings led by high electric sales. 

By Claire Cameron • May 8, 2014

Hawaii's overhaul of the utility business model

The sun is setting on traditional cost-of-service regulation.

By Davide Savenije , Claire Cameron • May 7, 2014

How many times the charm for U.S. energy efficiency legislation?

The U.S. Senate voted to allow a bipartisan energy efficiency bill that stalled last year to proceed.

By Claire Cameron • May 6, 2014

Hawaiian Electric seeks energy storage

Hawaiian Electric Company has an issued an RFP for energy storage to supplement the company's Oahu solar and wind generation projects.

By Claire Cameron • May 5, 2014

NY plans $285M investment to slash demand

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $285 million in incentives to invest in demand response, energy efficiency and combined heat and power systems in New York City and Westchester.

By Claire Cameron • May 4, 2014

Washington Governor proposes end to coal power

Washington state's Governor released a set of proposals aimed at "cleaning up" the state's energy profile.

By Claire Cameron • May 1, 2014

Xcel CEO: Too early to call electric sales growth a trend

Xcel reported strong earnings on positive electric and natural gas margins.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 1, 2014