2022 Outlook: A new recognition is coming of rate design’s critical role in the energy transition

More precise time-varying rates, technology-neutral rates for distributed energy resources, and new ways to use smart technologies could make for a cleaner, lower cost, more reliable power system, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2022

2022 Outlook: Top US power sector trends to watch

The Biden administration entered 2022 with some key strengths and significant challenges to implementing its clean energy agenda, but states, companies and others are continuing to advance the energy transition.

By Kavya Balaraman, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton and Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Data centers, EVs drive PJM's long-term load growth forecast, but it expects some utilities to see declines

However, the grid operator on Friday trimmed its forecast for its next capacity auction year by 0.5%, reflecting slower than expected load growth.  

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2022

Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021

Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022

Component shortages hit EVs as Class 8 orders plummet

While a traditional truck needs up to 500 semiconductors, an electric one could require up to 5,000.

By Amanda Loudin • Dec. 14, 2021

California's proposed net energy metering update could hit distributed solar hard, industry warns

The solar industry said the changes proposed by the California Public Utilities Commission — including reducing monthly savings and adding new fees — would put rooftop solar out of reach for millions of the state's residents.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 14, 2021

New York’s landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say

New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021

Nuclear and carbon capture companies seek $20B as DOE revives loan program

DOE loan office head Jigar Shah said he would like the office to issue at least $2 billion in loans for key emerging sectors, such as battery recycling and "green" hydrogen.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 8, 2021

Duke net metering agreement with renewables advocates expected to increase North Carolina solar adoption

Clean energy advocates expect the proposed rates, similar to a Duke plan approved in South Carolina, to expand the distributed solar market for homeowners and businesses.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 1, 2021

At the forefront: The biggest state clean energy legislative trends of 2021

States continue to act as laboratories of innovation, taking unique policy approaches and testing their own solutions to various clean energy policy issues, the author writes.

By Autumn Proudlove • Nov. 24, 2021

Can the DOE's community solar target to power 5M homes be met? Not without state-level support

Without putting forth the resources and rewarding effective blueprints to pull off a monumental scaling effort of community solar, the DOE's new targets will not be met, the author writes.

By Mike Gordon • Nov. 24, 2021

Taking Charge: Mary Powell on her new gig at Sunrun and the importance of ‘radical collaboration’

The former Green Mountain Power CEO says she's now in a seat "where I can scale solutions to climate change so much faster than even the most progressive, innovative utility in the country."

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 16, 2021

Officials urge flexibility, transmission upgrades to accommodate storage and DER buildout

Transmission is "just critical" to ensuring reliability and value for new resources, says EDF Renewable North America's Jamie Link.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 5, 2021

Stopping the utility profit grab and saving rooftop solar in California

We can dispense with the utility campaign's "cost shift" myth. It's based on bad math that does not account for the grid-stabilizing investment solar consumers make in their own systems and other factors, the author writes.

By Dave Rosenfeld • Nov. 4, 2021

Unlocking the Transition: As Tesla, Ford and others invest billions in EVs, will the power system be ready?

The new White House zero emission vehicle target of 50% of new car sales by 2030 has a long way to go, a short time to get there, and big challenges along the way.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2021

Maine explores rate design changes to boost storage, EV deployment

The state must deploy 400 MW of energy storage by 2030, prompting regulators to explore time-of-use rates and other structures that could encourage residential and commercial deployment.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 28, 2021

10 cleantech startups to watch

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator fall 2021 cohort has companies whose efforts range from wildfire prevention to transportation electrification. CEO Matt Petersen discusses challenges startups face in working with the public sector.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 25, 2021

For co-ops and munis, how early is too early for next-gen grid investments?

Learn why it may be better to wait to invest in a DERMS and which no-regrets investment you should make instead.

Oct. 25, 2021

Rocky Mountain Power's distributed battery grid management system puts Utah 'years ahead' of California

The program, which currently only supports sonnen batteries, encourages existing Utah solar customers to add energy storage that provides greater grid management capabilities for the utility.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 14, 2021

Extending Dominion's Millstone nuclear plant a 'critical' part of path to zero carbon, Connecticut finds

Connecticut's new Integrated Resources Plan finds the state's decarbonization goals are achievable.  But it will require the expanded use of energy storage and demand management and continued reliance on nuclear energy.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2021

As California's solar net metering battle goes to regulators, a focus on reliability may be the best answer

The reliability value of solar plus storage in ensuring resource adequacy might be the key to solar's future, according to Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Executive Director V. John White.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2021

How the Resilient Energy Subscription market mechanism will help finance community microgrids

The Clean Coalition is working with a Pacific Northwest utility to implement the approach, which could be followed as a standard for financing community microgrids around the country, the author writes.

By Craig Lewis • Sept. 22, 2021

New York nearly doubles goal for distributed solar installations on success of existing incentives

Building on the success of its NY-Sun program, the state will aim to install at least 10 GW of distributed solar energy by 2030, after previously setting a goal of 6 GW by 2025.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 21, 2021

Advancing the energy transition requires an honest discussion of costs, outages and land, analysts say

Customers will tolerate the power system transformation's problems and challenges if they understand stakeholders will be "careful about the transition," one analyst said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2021

DOE funds $25M consortium to develop grid-scale inverters, standards

Decarbonized energy systems could use large-scale inverters to drive the grid. A new federally-funded consortium aims to develop the technology by 2035.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 8, 2021