Distributed Energy

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Rethinking utility customer engagement in trying times

Utility customer engagement best practices during COVID-19: Tone, type and timing are critical.

By Paul McDonald, Senior Director, Industry Strategy, Opower • May 29, 2020

Columbus, Ohio exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 28, 2020

24 Congressional Democrats urge FERC to reject net metering overhaul

The proposal is an affront to states' rights as well as a threat to distributed energy compensation policies, senators and representatives wrote.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

New Jersey EV infrastructure plan targets private capital over ratepayer dollars 'wherever possible'

The approach is likely to cause some tension, as utilities naturally seek to own more of the infrastructure, including stations, the head of Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter said.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2020

Deep Dive

As utilities tackle immediate COVID-19 impacts, analysts stress need to focus beyond the pandemic

Power systems across the country need new approaches for today's shifting loads, but focusing on recovery and tomorrow’s resources can be even better, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2020

Blockchain-based renewables and storage initiative in Los Angeles wins $9M state grant

The multi-part project in the San Gabriel Valley looks to provide affordable, locally produced energy to 28,000 residents in a disadvantaged community.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2020

Energy storage poised to tackle grid challenges from rising EVs as mobile chargers bring new flexibility

Despite the current hit from the coronavirus pandemic, three new reports say the long-term outlook for electric vehicle sales remains strong, with new features likely to stretch the capabilities of the grid.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2020

CPUC finds DERs save on transmission investments, but implementation remains 'the big question'

The California Public Utilities Commission's decision could encourage more local generation, Craig Lewis, founder and executive director of Clean Coalition, told Utility Dive.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 05, 2020

Buildings are huge sources of load flexibility, but what's that worth to utilities? DOE investigates

Buildings account for 75% of U.S. electricity consumption, making them key to an interactive grid, a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds.

By Robert Walton • May 05, 2020

Tesla delays electric semi truck delivery to 2021, citing battery supply issues

CEO Elon Musk said the production schedule slowed as the company needed to increase battery production to serve all its products. 

By S.L. Fuller • May 05, 2020

California eyes expedited microgrid deployment to help with fire season power shut-offs

A Public Utilities Commission proposal would also approve PG&E's plan to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation to power communities during public safety power shut-offs on a short-term basis. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 30, 2020

Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities

Customer advocates say the new rules make the city a national leader in efforts to increase emissions-free vehicles, and called for similar policies to be adopted across Illinois.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020

Rooftop solar applications up 40% despite COVID-19, HECO says, but DER groups want more

Distributed energy advocates want a speedier interconnection process and warn the March and April uptick is likely not reflective of the pandemic's full impact on the sector.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 28, 2020

Deep Dive

As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020

Storage, smart grid, energy efficiency sectors see $337M in Q1 corporate funding: Report

Venture capital funding in these sectors totaled $252 million, according to a report from Mercom Capital Group — a 20% increase over the first quarter of last year.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 22, 2020

Deep Dive

Increasing renewables and DER demand new reliability approach, but California is falling short, groups say

Resource adequacy's planning reserve margin worked when supply and load were stable, but new system realities demand a more dynamic approach to protect reliability, emerging power providers and DER advocacy groups say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2020

Global EV sales will drop 43% in 2020 due to COVID-19, lower oil prices: WoodMac

Industry observers, however, note that all car sales are expected to be hit hard — not just electric vehicles. And the long-term outlook remains robust.

By Robert Walton • April 09, 2020

Pelosi steps back on infrastructure push as renewables industry vies for aid

Clean energy advocates say there are still avenues for power sector relief from the federal government, including critical project deadline extensions.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 06, 2020

Virginia rejects Dominion's $752M smart meter plan, other grid mod proposals

Regulators penalized the company for failing to justify costs to deploy advanced metering infrastructure, after Dominion failed to submit a broad time-of-use rate plan.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 27, 2020

Deep Dive

Distributed storage could see growth in demand amid COVID-19 pandemic, analysts say

The circumstances of the outbreak and the raft of restrictions that states have implemented to prevent its spread could spur interest in resources that provide resilience and self-reliance, analysts say.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 26, 2020

Deep Dive

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

Deep Dive

A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists

An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020

Florida, Utah, Washington approve bills to boost EVs, including $50M Rocky Mountain Power charging plan

Washington lawmakers passed a bill to adopt California's zero emission vehicle mandate while Utah and Florida legislators approved bills to bolster charging infrastructure in their states.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2020

Outdated business models are holding back greater renewables, DER integration: Enter DSOs

Decoupling ownership and operation of the distribution grid would advance deployment of non-wires solutions, a DER planning manager at Exelon said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 13, 2020

Deep Dive

Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value

Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 04, 2020