Distributed Energy


  • Solar panel installer installing solar panels on roof of modern house.
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    Eloi Omella via Getty Images
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    King Energy secures $10M for rooftop solar financing model

    The company, which installs solar panels on unused roof space, provides commercial property owners with a “simple, no-nonsense way” to trim operational costs and carbon footprints, CEO John Witchel said.

    By Joe Burns • Oct. 21, 2024
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    istock.com/incomible

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    Sponsored by Questline Digital

    Seasonal strategies: How utilities are engaging customers year-round

    Discover how holidays and season changes offer key opportunities for utilities to connect with customers in creative and relevant ways.

    Oct. 21, 2024
  • Rural lane meanders among modern windmill technology and steel electrical pylons. Laramie, Wyoming, 2009 Explore the Trendline
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    Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

    The U.S. energy transition is facing challenges around grid interconnections, project permitting and power system reliability, but state, federal and other solutions are emerging.

    By Utility Dive staff
  • Concept of a home battery energy storage located in a garage with a sunny background with lawn car
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    stock.adobe.com/malp

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    Sponsored by Smarter Grid Solutions

    From aggregation to action: Implementing effective behind-the-meter control strategies with Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS)

    Discover how implementing a DERMS solution will help you utilize BTM DERs for grid reliability

    Oct. 15, 2024
  • DOE offers microgrid funding with focus on Alaska, Hawaii, indigenous tribes

    “DOE plans to work closely with rural and tribal communities to develop microgrid technologies that will lead to more reliable, affordable energy in isolated regions,” science and innovation chief Geri Richmond said.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • Professional worker installing solar panels on the roof of a house
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    Eloi_Omella via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors

    Beyond Net Metering: Unlocking win-win scenarios through robust DER valuation frameworks

    Net Energy Metering (NEM) programs are being re-tooled for the clean energy transition using a Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) framework that fairly compensates DERs while managing non-participant costs.

    By Samuel Ross, Director at Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors and Anirudh Kshemendranath, Senior Consultant at Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors • Oct. 7, 2024
  • Electricity from solar panels, dams, and wind turbines. Environmentally-friendly renewable energy concept.
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    bombermoon via Getty Images
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    Utility conferences to watch in 2025

    Start planning for 2025’s biggest power sector events, which will cover the clean energy transition, the impact of the 2024 elections and more.

    By Larry Pearl, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton, Diana DiGangi • Oct. 1, 2024
  • IRA incentives driving increased interest in distributed wind: PNNL

    The IRA funded 88% of rural wind energy grants awarded in 2023, according to a report from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

    By Emma Penrod • Oct. 1, 2024
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    gyn9038 via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by ScottMadden

    Signs your organization may need integrated planning

    Utility system planning is more complex than ever.

    By Stephen Haubrich, Director, ScottMadden • Sept. 30, 2024
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    iStock | onurdongel

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    Sponsored by GridX & Uplight

    Virtual power plants and time-varying rates: The next big power move for a smarter grid

    The energy system is fundamentally changing. There is a major need for new grid management strategies to handle this transition and the challenges that come along.

    By Rachel Bryant, Senior Director of Regulatory & Policy Business Development at GridX and Alex Lopez, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Uplight • Sept. 30, 2024
  • A rendering of an interior view of the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport.
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    Courtesy of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
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    JFK International Airport’s new Terminal One to host largest airport microgrid in US

    The 12-MW microgrid comprises solar, fuel cells and battery energy storage that can power half of the terminal’s daily operations, airport and project officials said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 25, 2024
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    Pexels/Pok Rie

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    Sponsored by Kraken

    Energy’s changing landscape: What a decentralized grid means for grid operators

    As we move towards a decentralized grid, grid operators will need to rethink their management strategies using various tools to ensure grid stability.

    By Joel Jaton, Lead Product Manager, Kraken • Sept. 23, 2024
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    simarik via Getty Images
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    NAESB rolls out draft standardized distribution services contract

    The contract will allow for “seamless participation” of distributed energy resource aggregators in wholesale markets, consistent with FERC Order 2222, the energy standards board said.

    By Sept. 18, 2024
  • A rooftop solar installation against the backdrop of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan.
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    FernandoAH via Getty Images
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    Clean, dispatchable generation is key to meeting state emissions goals: New York governor

    NYSERDA’s Future Energy Economy Summit, held earlier this month, will inform state renewable energy deployments and action on advanced, dispatchable generation, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 13, 2024
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    imagedepotpro via Getty Images
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    Utilities need ‘broad culture change’ to deploy emerging clean resources at scale: DOE’s Shah

    “Failing to adopt new strategies and technologies is the higher-risk path for utilities today,” said Jigar Shah, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.

    By Sept. 9, 2024
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Distributed capacity procurement: A new model for utilities to deploy DERs at scale

    The record-setting surge in PJM capacity pricing spotlights the reality that we have been unable to build new capacity resources fast enough.

    By Pier LaFarge • Sept. 5, 2024
  • Rooftop solar panels at the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Virtual power plants ‘well past pilot scale,’ but policy and tech challenges remain: WoodMac

    Less than 20% of total DER capacity is VPP-enrolled, with residential thermostat and commercial and industrial demand response dominating, Wood Mackenzie found.

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 22, 2024
  • A rooftop solar installation against the backdrop of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan.
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    FernandoAH via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    California pioneers new ways to ease interconnection of large DERs

    Limited generation profiles in California will schedule limits to DERs during system constraints. New York, Illinois, Colorado and others are testing more flexible approaches.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
  • One of the buildings of the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Opinion

    Why wait? VPPs can help PJM now

    Even though PJM’s capacity prices hit record highs for 2025-26, they could go even higher or remain elevated unless the grid operator’s generation capacity can catch up with its surging demand.

    By Michael D. Smith • Aug. 14, 2024
  • Photovoltaic cells and battery systems on a building.
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    Kyoshino via Getty Images
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    Budderfly acquires tech for distributed energy resource management

    The company says Sunverge Energy’s system allows it to create virtual power plants that can help improve customer site resiliency and add load flexibility to the grid.

    By Joe Burns • Aug. 14, 2024
  • Blue gas flame of the stove close-up against a black background
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    deepblue4you via iStock by Getty images

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    Sponsored by Questline Digital

    Utilities finding new ways to educate customers about natural gas

    As the energy landscape continues to evolve, utilities must effectively communicate the benefits of natural gas to residential and commercial customers.

    Aug. 12, 2024
  • A worker installs a solar panel on a flat, white rooftop with a palm tree in the background.
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    Courtesy of Sunrun
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    Sunrun storage attachment rate jumps to 54% as CEO cheers rising VPP potential

    The company also announced a partnership with Tesla Electric to support the Texas grid during peak demand periods. 

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 8, 2024
  • One of the buildings of the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Limited accountability, technology hurdles inhibit VPP adoption: Uplight panel

    Despite significant technical and program design challenges, virtual power plants can significantly reduce future generation and transmission investments, participants said.

    By Brian Martucci • July 30, 2024
  • Hitachi battery energy storage
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    Permission granted by BGE
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    Sponsored by Hitachi Energy

    Helping keep the heat on in rural Maryland

    Case study: BGE advanced clean energy goals and met state requirements with battery energy storage.

    July 29, 2024
  • One of the buildings of the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    US VPPs can meet summer demand peaks faster, cheaper than new generation and transmission: RMI

    The more than 500 VPPs operational in the United States can help address summer peaks in 2024, while new VPPs can be online in time for summer 2025, RMI said.

    By Brian Martucci • July 10, 2024
  • A solar crew installs panels on the roof of a house in Washington.
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    RyanJLane via Getty Images
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    Berkeley Lab releases interactive decision framework for integrated distribution grid planning

    The tool helps stakeholders navigate increasingly complex grid investment considerations as more states require utilities to file distribution plans, the lab said.

    By Brian Martucci • July 8, 2024