Distributed Energy
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Missouri regulators open docket to tackle EV infrastructure
The move from the Public Service Commission comes after an appeals court decision that ruled utilities can recover their investment for electric vehicle chargers.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2019
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Report: Brattle research shows utilities overspending billions on transmission revamps
Only 2% of transmission infrastructure projects went through a competitive process, resulting in higher costs than estimated, according to the Brattle Group.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 21, 2019
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Deep DiveDe-energize and DERs: The tough options wildfires pose for California utilities
California IOUs’ wildfire mitigation plans will cost billions and take years, but distributed generation can give customers power during protective shutoffs.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2019
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PodcastEPS Ep. 7: Demystifying the Green New Deal with Greg Carlock
The Data for Progress research director says non-renewable resources and market-based policies can have a role in a Green New Deal — as long as they serve the aims of deep decarbonization and economic justice.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 20, 2019
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Ameren files $6.3B grid transformation plan with Missouri regulators
The largest line item in the proposal is a $1.9 billion investment in "smart, reliable grid operations," which covers a wide range of initiatives, including distributed solar and energy storage.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019
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Pennsylvania prods utility investment in charging as part of EV growth plan
If three in 10 vehicles on the roads were electric, the state could gain almost $2.8 billion in benefits, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2019
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New Hampshire grid mod proposal recommends 'tempered' approach to AMI
Staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission say they are still working on cybersecurity issues and expect to file an addendum to their recommendations, once the work is complete.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2019
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Deep DiveTesla, others question storage hourly requirements, charges in FERC Order 841 compliance plans
As the comment period on FERC Order 841 compliance fillings closed, various utilities and regulators also asked to play larger roles on storage interconnection requirements.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2019
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Deep DiveWinning in a more distributed energy world: 3 steps to utility success
The utility of the future will deliver retail products and services instead of generation, but getting to the future will require engaging now-reluctant customers.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2019
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Congressional Democrats push FERC to act on aggregated DERs
Seventeen House members and 18 Senators urged FERC to issue a decision "as soon as possible" that "enables all [distributed energy resources] the opportunity to participate in … wholesale markets."
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 11, 2019
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Iowa proposes rules for commercial, public EV chargers
The Iowa Utilities Board's proposal would set guidelines for electric vehicle charging at public facilities, with the aim of removing the stations from the definition of "public utility" under state law.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2019
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Want better grid mod proceedings? Exelon official says involve stakeholders earlier
To reduce tension between power companies and other stakeholders, the grid mod process could include more opportunities for public input, the company's director of utility initiatives told a crowd of state energy regulators.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 07, 2019
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Propelling clean energy innovation forward: What does the industry need from regulators?
As utilities, corporations and states accelerate their goals, new technology will be necessary to support the clean energy transition, and the government's role in R&D and market incentives will be vital, a new report says.
By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 07, 2019
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Despite failures, ConEd targets more energy savings from non-wires pioneer BQDM
Though difficulties arose with demand response and commercial refrigeration, Con Edison projects 55 MW of peak load reduction for its Brooklyn-Queens Demand Management Program by summer 2022.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 06, 2019
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EEI presses FERC for faster, streamlined PURPA review
Reforming the 1978 law is a top priority for utility trade group Edison Electric Institute, according to their head of regulatory affairs.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 06, 2019
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Puerto Rico proposes largest solar, storage buildout in US with 20-year draft resource plan
Adding over 2,220 MW of solar and 1,080 MW of battery storage over the next two decades, PREPA would also phase out its use of coal and bunker oil, expensive energy fuels the island imports.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 06, 2019
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OpinionMoving beyond business as usual to a resilient power system for California
PG&E's bankruptcy provides an opportunity for new legislation that would shift our energy system to one that doesn't rely on remote power generation requiring thousands of miles of expensive, inefficient and dangerous transmission lines.
By John Sarter
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Deloitte: Nation states, organized crime and angry employees threaten utility cybersecurity
The electric utility sector faces growing threat of cyber attacks as technology and a more distributed grid increase access points, according to a new report.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 01, 2019
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Shell buys charging company Greenlots as oil majors prep for rise of EVs
With the number of EVs on U.S. roads expected to reach 7 million by 2025, the deal could signal a wave of coming investment by large oil and gas companies to diversify, say electrification experts.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 01, 2019
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Deep DiveAs solar-plus-storage surges, can smart devices help overcome deployment barriers?
As utilities move to reap the benefits of solar-plus-storage, manufacturing and interconnection barriers threaten to impede growth.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2019
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Vermont regulators advance first of 3 Green Mountain Power solar-plus-storage projects
The utility seeks to use these projects to lower regional system costs and forward capacity market costs in the ISO-New England region.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 29, 2019
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Tendril grows its load monitoring operations to help shift peak demand
With its latest acquisition of nonintrusive load monitoring technology to process data from advanced metering infrastructure, the company wants to help utilities flatten their loads without help from their customers.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 24, 2019
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SponsoredDistribuTECH: Next-gen smart meter takes grid intelligence to new dimensions
Efforts to implement efficient billing has pushed smart meter innovations over the last couple of years. What will the next wave of smart meters bring the industry?
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Deep DiveMinnesota study finds it cheaper to curtail solar than to add storage
A report studies Minnesota's options for 70% renewable penetration and finds surprising results regarding energy storage.
By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2019
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Pepco electrification plan anti-competitive, DC ratepayer advocate argues
The Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia says the utility's proposal would be "detrimental to the competitive [electric vehicle] market" while also arguing the utility failed to justify why ratepayers should foot the bill.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2019