Distributed Energy


  • ConnectDER's EV meter socket adapter installed on the side of a house with an EV charger attached to the meter.
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    Courtesy of ConnectDER announces Series D funding
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    BlackRock, Temasek venture leads $35M funding round for ConnectDER

    The latest funding round, led by Decarbonization Partners, will help accelerate growth for the home solar power and EV adapter company.

    By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 5, 2024
  • A rendering of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV in a residential garage with GM's vehicle-to-home charging equipment mounted on the wall.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    Deep Dive

    When TOU rates aren’t enough: BGE, other utilities expand active managed charging for rising EV load

    With over 3 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads, managed charging pilots need to be scaled before infrastructure upgrade costs start rising, analysts and utility executives agree.

    By Dec. 4, 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
  • Wind power generator in green landscape with distributed energy icons.
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    Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    EPRI, Kraken advance DER interoperability standards to boost virtual power plant deployment

    “Without interoperability standards, VPPs cannot reach scalability, affordability, and reliability as soon or as efficiently as they will be needed,” said Arshad Mansoor, CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute.

    By Nov. 27, 2024
  • Electric grids
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    Pexels / Diana

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    Sponsored by Kraken

    Unleashing the power of dynamic distribution pricing (Part 2)

    We can't wait to implement dynamic distribution pricing while until we scale monitoring and analytics devices — here's how utilities can start implementing pilots now.

    By Amaani Hamid and Emma Rodvien • Nov. 25, 2024
  • Wind power generator in green landscape with distributed energy icons.
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    Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    A model tariff can speed distributed power plant deployment and lower grid modernization costs

    Distributed power plants can improve system resilience now, complementing longer-term grid upgrades that will take years or decades to build.  

    By America Garcia and Shannon Anderson • Nov. 22, 2024
  • Human and digital hands reaching towards each other with Earth in the background.
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    Shutterstock / Ole.CNX

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    Sponsored by OpenText

    Digital twins reimagined at scale for utilities

    Digital twins of assets will play an increasing role in helping improve operational efficiency.

    By Phil Schwarz • Nov. 18, 2024
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    DOE earmarks nearly $150M for 67 clean tech projects at federal facilities

    The Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies program grants will save a combined $41.7 million in energy and water costs annually, the Energy Department said.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 11, 2024
  • President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena on November 04, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    2024 Elections

    Trump win is ‘setback’ for climate protection, but clean energy advocates say progress will continue

    Trump’s victory means a Republican will be selected to lead FERC, which will likely work to rein in transmission incentives, said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program.

    By Nov. 6, 2024
  • A woman monitoring data center machines.
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    iStock / Hiraman

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    Sponsored by Torus

    Is the grid prepared to power the AI revolution?

    As the AI boom drives unprecedented growth for data centers, America's power grid faces a significant challenge: meeting the rising power demand needs of an AI-driven future. Nate Walkingshaw, CEO and Co-Founder of Torus, delves into this rapidly evolving energy landscape, where data centers alone could consume 9% of U.S. power by 2030. With traditional infrastructure lagging the expected electricity demand, Walkingshaw advocates for a flexible, distributed energy model, envisioning commercial properties as nodes for decentralized energy generation and storage systems.

    By Nate Walkingshaw, CEO & Co-Founder of Torus • Nov. 4, 2024
  • Solar panels on the rooftop of the Denver federal center in Colorado
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    milehightraveler via Getty Images
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    Grid-interactive efficient building systems need robust cybersecurity measures, DOE says

    Federal facilities managers must assess the potential risks of GEB systems and understand how they can affect the physical and data security of overarching systems where they are deployed, the Department of Energy says. 

    By Brian Martucci • Oct. 30, 2024
  • Aerial view of a power station
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    Pexels/ Altaf Shah

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    Sponsored by Kraken

    Unleashing the power of dynamic distribution pricing (Part 1)

    Utilities use dynamic pricing on wholesale electricity markets successfully, but haven't extended this pricing design to the distribution grid — here's why they should.

    By Amaani Hamid and Emma Rodvien • Oct. 28, 2024
  • Mainspring Linear Generator
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    Courtesy of ABM Industries Incorporated
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    ABM to integrate Mainspring Energy’s power generation tool to strengthen EV charging solutions

    ABM’s EV charging services for fleet operators include design, engineering and installation, microgrids and power storage and on-site proactive maintenance.

    By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 25, 2024
  • 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
  • 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
  • Image of solar panels and wind turbines with a digital network overlay.
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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
  • View of electric poles
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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