Distributed Energy
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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 -
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 Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 4, 2024 -
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 -
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 Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 27, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2024 -
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