Distributed Energy
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How distributed resources fit into Mountain West's game plan
There's room for utilities to co-exist, and even thrive, with added distributed generation, panelists at the Solar Power and Energy Storage Mountain West conference said Monday.
By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 25, 2020 -
Opinion
Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world
Utilities believe they are best positioned to manage the grid if they own and control the data directly, without intermediaries, but Tesla, SunRun and others want to collect and manage the data for their own platform benefits.
By Dan Goldman • Feb. 21, 2020 -
Getty Images
Deep DiveSlowed pay-off from billions in AMI investment puts the technology's future in doubt
Regulators have approved billions for utilities to roll out advanced metering infrastructure, but they expected new customer and system benefits, not just lower utility operation costs.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Oregon approves Portland General's transportation electrification plan, setting stage for 1M EVs
The utility expects up to 1 million electric vehicles in its service territory by 2050, and now has a broad strategy focused on limiting costs to meet the associated demand.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2020 -
Connie Zhou Courtesy of KPF
ConEd developing $13M curbside EV charging program with AddEnergie
Dozens of chargers will allow drivers to charge their electric vehicle while parked in the utility's New York City service territory — though they will likely pay more than equivalent gasoline costs.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020 -
APS partners with clean energy business group to reach 100% carbon-free target
The utility will work with Advanced Energy Economy and 13 companies to develop clean energy solutions that include electrifying transportation, grid flexibility and expanding low-carbon generation capacity.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020 -
Sustainability tops utility concerns, as SEU survey sees discrepancies on cybersecurity, stranded assets
Some 50% of utility respondents to Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility Survey expect their organization to significantly increase the amount of grid-scale solar by 2030, a stronger forecast than for any other resource.
By Larry Pearl • Feb. 12, 2020 -
Ameren's hourly pricing program could reduce EV charging costs 50%, study finds
The dynamic pricing program, based on day-ahead prices in the Midcontinent ISO, has already saved Illinois residential consumers more than $12 million, according to the utility.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2020 -
ChargePoint commits $1B to expand EV charging as Ocasio-Cortez, others unveil bills for a national network
Last week, U.S. lawmakers and the developer of the largest electric vehicle charging network in the nation separately announced large-scale initiatives to grow the nation's emissions-free transportation infrastructure.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2020 -
Pepco's proposed EV charger incentive puts environmental and consumer groups at odds
Regulators in Washington, D.C., will need to make a decision on the proposed $500 rebate, knowing that some consumer advocates remain opposed.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2020 -
Reimagining the grid: How PGE, SCE and others are prepping for transportation electrification
There's no question that electric vehicles can provide a net benefit to the system, according to Portland General Electric President and CEO Maria Pope.
By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 04, 2020 -
Getty Images
State regulators need cyclical reviews to get the most out of utility performance incentive mechanisms: Report
Upending utility business models is more easily done with complementary state policies and continuous improvement of incentives, according to Energy Innovation and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 04, 2020 -
National Grid
How ConEd and National Grid are experimenting with energy storage in New York
Consolidated Edison is in the middle of several major projects to advance the state's distributed grid, while working to add 300 MW of energy storage by 2023.
By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 03, 2020 -
Q&A
Q&A: GE CTO on adapting to the clean energy transition
Utility Dive caught up with GE Grid Solutions' Chief Technology Officer Vera Silva to discuss the shifting technology space in the utility industry, as well as short and long-term solutions for decarbonizing the power grid.
By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 03, 2020 -
Opinion
At a crossroads: The connected future of EVs, solar, energy storage and software
The need for partnership across industries is increasing as the EV market continues to expand and challenge a static electric grid, driving industry forward to a clean, connected future, the authors write.
By Wes Doane and Lior Handelsman • Jan. 31, 2020 -
Getty Images
Xcel assesses non-wires alternatives to distribution upgrade as it enters new proceedings in Colorado, Minnesota
The utility teamed up with the Electric Power Research Institute, finding the use of storage and demand response could defer the need to upgrade a feeder on its system, Distributech attendees heard Jan. 28.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 30, 2020 -
PG&E
Deep DivePG&E is betting heavily on microgrids. But can it move away from fossil fuels?
The utility is proposing to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation in areas that are vulnerable to public safety power shut-offs.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 28, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by tommaso79 via Getty Images
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: New state action on customer empowering rate designs and business models
Regulators, utilities and stakeholders will pilot simple price signals and work toward agreement on a performance-based framework, but California may be in for a surprise.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by LL28 via Getty Images
Deep Dive2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond
2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by jhorrocks via Getty Images
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: Utilities will be pushed to further embrace distributed energy resources
As net metering fades, some states will move ahead with new visions for DERs, while others are playing catch-up.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020 -
How much — and how fast — will Colorado change its utility business model?
Xcel Energy's Colorado utility cautions that implementing performance-based regulation too quickly could "jeopardize" the state's progress toward clean energy.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA
Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Brian Tucker/Utility Dive; photograph by LL28 via Getty Images
Deep Dive
2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector
From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020 -
PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035
One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2020
