PG&E, Tesla launch program to use customers’ Powerwall batteries to tackle California reliability concerns

A pilot program to turn Tesla’s distributed energy storage systems into a virtual power plant as part of a state program to address reliability concerns may be hampered by its short life, warns a storage advocate.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • June 29, 2022

California moves to simplify interconnection rules for distributed energy resources

The new approach will potentially allow more projects to pass through the fast-track process, which means they could get interconnected in a matter of months versus many months to a year or more.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 27, 2022

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AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

Tests show fuel-flexible linear generators can use both hydrogen and ammonia

The generator currently represents a potential low- or no-carbon alternative to backup power generators, according to its manufacturer.

By Emma Penrod • June 22, 2022

Utilities, solar industry square off as California reopens record in net energy metering process

Stakeholders disagree on, among other things, how the state should transition customers from the existing net energy metering framework to a new one — what regulators are calling the “glide path.”

By Kavya Balaraman • June 15, 2022

4 effective ways to meet US decarbonization goals

How can the US achieve meaningful decarbonization goals without sacrificing reliable, stable energy?

June 13, 2022

State utility regulators urge FERC to move up MISO's proposed 2030 start date for aggregated DERs

MISO may miss out on reliability and cost benefits by waiting to integrate groups of distributed resources, according to the Organization of MISO States.

By Ethan Howland • June 8, 2022

Rethinking California distribution system operations and grid services markets for a high-DER future

California wants a cost-effective, reliable and equitable power system with well-compensated distributed resources to balance the bulk power system and meet local needs.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2022

As contentious net metering debates persist across the US, Connecticut and Hawaii show a way forward

Hawaii and Connecticut are exploring technical and economic solutions, which California, Florida and others can learn from and improve upon, the author writes.

By Patrick Murphy • June 3, 2022

'Dramatic shift' in utility regulations, better pilot designs needed to propel energy transition, DOE report finds

Electric industry players call for innovations in the way regulators handle pilots of new utility and private sector technologies and system operations in a new Department of Energy paper.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2022

The 4 universal truths of a successful TOU rate transition

Increasing adoption of TOU rates depends on these universal truths of successful programs.

By Brad Langley, VP of Marketing, GridX • May 31, 2022

North American Energy Standards Board to work with DOE, national labs on distributed resource definitions

The goal is to set "standardized, technology-neutral grid service definitions that can benefit both wholesale and retail electric market interactions," according to the electric and gas industry forum.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2022

California's 'affordability crisis' attracts innovative ratemaking and regulatory proposals

Double-digit year-on-year spikes in electricity rates are leading California regulators and stakeholders to search for ways to protect climate goals and rate affordability.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2022

Gov. DeSantis vetoes rooftop solar bill, citing desire to not add to 'financial crunch' facing Floridians

Advocates logged over 15,000 phone calls, emails and postcards from residents asking the governor to veto the measure, which would have allowed utilities to increase customer bills.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 28, 2022

Texas regulators look to distributed resources, additional coal reserves, to boost reliability

Coal stockpiles may boost reliability, but Public Utilities Commissioner Lori Cobos questioned, "what are we ultimately going to have to pay for, a pile of coal? Or are we going to be asked to pay for a scrubber?"

By Robert Walton • April 22, 2022

New York approves transmission contracts to advance Clean Path NY, Champlain Hudson projects

The Public Service Commission also expanded a key development program for distributed solar in the state.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

To enhance reliability, Texas regulators will consider standardizing distribution system interconnections

The Public Utility Commission of Texas standardized transmission interconnection rules more than two decades ago and is now considering a similar move for distribution-level resources.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2022

California approves $11.7M vehicle-to-grid pilots in PG&E footprint

The programs will support the build-out of bidirectional charging equipment, which regulators say can provide broader resiliency benefits.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated May 6, 2022

New York adjusts standby, buyback rate methodologies, sweetening value proposition for NYC storage

"We expect that the rates that result from this methodology will have significantly reduced fixed charges that will improve the value for storage," Advanced Energy Economy's Danny Waggoner said.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2022

Countering the duck curve: How microgrids and DERS can reduce demand spikes

Determine the best technology and investment timeline to diminish peak usage and deliver the best returns.

By Dr. Zack Pecenak, Lead Engineer at XENDEE; Dr. Michael Stadler, Chief Technology Officer at XENDEE; Muhammad Mansoor, University of California San Diego • March 21, 2022

Florida passes net metering bill that will gut rooftop solar, advocates say, as they call for a veto

The bill, widely supported by utilities, would "throttle" customer-owned solar in the state, according to distributed energy advocates.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 8, 2022

How to reform net energy metering the right way

Economist Ahmad Faruqui proposes a path for California's NEM reform that he says would realize the goals of utilities without sacrificing the state's rooftop solar market.

By Ahmad Faruqui • March 4, 2022

California's utilities are not out to kill rooftop solar

Existing residential solar has significantly contributed to California's decarbonization commitments, but going forward, the state should fulfill its future commitments in a more efficient, least-cost manner, the author writes. 

By Robert Borlick • March 2, 2022

Can DERMS save the world?

DERMS play a pivotal background role in helping to balance the grid, increasing efficiency and reliability for consumers and utilities while reducing their carbon footprint.

Feb. 28, 2022

Nevada tops new CUB state ranking on utility affordability, reliability, environmental responsibility

The ratepayer watchdog group aims to chart utility performance through the energy transition using state ranking reports.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 14, 2022