Distributed Energy: Page 2

Murkowski highlights potential boost to US critical minerals ahead of bipartisan infrastructure deal

Senators voted 67-32 to advance the latest version of the bipartisan infrastructure deal, securing the support of 17 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 29, 2021

Indiana DOT, Purdue developing wireless EV charging for highways

The aim is to create the first paved highway segment that contains contactless, wireless technologies to charge electric vehicles as they drive over it.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Utility Business Model Reform

Utilities and regulators around the country are exploring new business models, from updated rate structures to performance-based regulation, in order to meet evolving policy and business priorities.

By Utility Dive staff

Tesla further delays Semi production amid component shortages

UPS has the largest single pre-order for 125 Semis, but the logistics provider said it is "waiting on the market."

By S.L. Fuller • July 28, 2021

DOE says new building codes to cut energy costs by $138B, but EV backers see failure to advance charging

A requirement that new homes be wired for electric vehicle charging was not included in the final version after the National Association of Home Builders argued such provisions are outside the scope of the codes.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2021

California PUC unveils draft plan for 'forward-thinking' distributed energy policy

The plan focuses on integrating DERs into wholesale markets and ensuring they are fairly compensated for value stacking, among other measures.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 27, 2021

Hyzon targets regional hauls for hydrogen trucks, begins trading on Nasdaq

The company has focused on rolling out trucks in Europe, but CEO Craig Knight expects "substantial uptake in the U.S. market" next year.

By S.L. Fuller • July 20, 2021

California approves expedited pathway for near-term utility EV investments, despite cost concerns

Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves, however, pushed for "a progressive way" to fund these investments, adding that "whenever we're using utility bills to pay for this, it's inherently regressive."

By Kavya Balaraman • July 16, 2021

Opinion

The DER future is nearly here? Stuck in the weeds on Order No. 2222 implementation.

The full scope of benefits distributed energy resources offer has remained tantalizingly out of reach without wide-scale participation of aggregators in the wholesale markets, the authors write.

By Hampden T. Macbeth and Jessica R. Bell • July 15, 2021

Amazon, Exelon, others press Congress on EV incentives amid growing focus on potential grid role

Integrating electric vehicles onto the grid will require more than subsidies and regulators need to start crafting policies now, said Jacqueline Piero, vice president of policy at vehicle-to-grid specialist Nuvve.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2021

Deep Dive

'Doesn't make sense': Analysts pan omissions in MISO's first electrification impact analysis

MISO’s first electrification-focused planning study was a "good start" by accentuating uncertainties on the rate and pace of the transition, but missed what storage needs will be and what least-regrets solutions offer, experts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2021

California PUC opens 'mother of all proceedings' to prepare the grid for new wave of DERs

Regulators intend to provide a framework that will allow better grid integration for distributed solar, storage and electric vehicles while enabling investments that take those resources into account.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 06, 2021

Deep Dive

As utilities risk missing carbon reduction targets, analysts stress need for organizational change

Sierra Club and the Smart Electric Power Alliance published separate analyses on the shortcomings of utilities in their net zero emissions pledges, finding a common solution in new organizational approaches.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 01, 2021

NYC removes EV exemption cap, blocking Revel ride-hailing service

The Taxi and Limousine Commission voted Tuesday to remove the EV exemption for new for-hire vehicle licenses, which could have allowed the company to put 50 Teslas on city streets.

By Chris Teale • UPDATED: June 24, 2021 at 10:16 a.m.

Bipartisan $973B infrastructure proposal alarms EV advocates with annual surcharge on vehicles

A group of 10 Democratic and 11 Republican senators supports an annual surcharge on electric vehicles, but industry advocates warn it could dampen enthusiasm for the transition away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2021

Hawaii OKs emergency demand response to avoid energy shortfalls following AES coal plant closure

Th order will be "a good jolt to the market for the next couple of years, to meet this emergency need," one solar advocate said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 10, 2021

PG&E, BMW smart-charging pilot highlights potential for electric vehicles as grid resource

Aligning electric vehicle charging loads with renewable energy can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, manage the grid more efficiently and save customers money, according to data from a Northern California study.

By Robert Walton • June 01, 2021

Republicans include $4B for EVs in 2nd counteroffer to Biden infrastructure plan

In all, the Republicans' proposal would spend $928 billion on infrastructure over the next eight years, a $360 billion increase over their previous proposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2021

Port of Long Beach incentivizes trucking industry to adopt cleaner fuels as electric, hydrogen tech scale up

The California port said Monday it was exempting natural gas-powered trucks from an impending emissions fee.

By S.L. Fuller • May 27, 2021

ClearGen, GreenStruxure announce $500M partnership on renewable microgrids

The microgrids serve industrial facilities, schools, hotels and other commercial facilities with a no-money-down offer, making on-site generation and storage a possibility for more businesses.

By Jason Plautz • May 25, 2021

Chicago's second e-scooter pilot signals persisting interest

While the four-month pilot in 2020 drew 75% fewer complaints than 2019's, some affordability and racial equity shortcomings remained. 

By Jason Plautz • May 21, 2021

Deep Dive

'A terrible idea': Texas legislators fight over renewables' role in power crisis, aiming to avert a repeat

Texans may face future freezes if lawmakers blame renewables and fail to set winterization standards and create market-based reliability protections, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 17, 2021

Bipartisan Maine lawmakers push to create first statewide, publicly owned utility in US

Proponents say a key goal of creating such a publicly owned utility would be to make Maine the first state to reach its goal of 100% renewable energy.

By Scott Van Voorhis • UPDATED: June 18, 2021 at 10:46 a.m.

Charlotte, North Carolina, models public-private approach for electrifying bus fleet

The city council recently approved a partnership to pilot 18 battery electric bus vehicles, while much of the U.S. has been slow to electrify transit.

By Jason Plautz • May 12, 2021

Nikola scales production, fueling stations as it books deal for 100 EVs

For one battery-electric truck customer, the sale hinges on government subsidies, which the OEM's CFO said it is helping the fleet secure.

By S.L. Fuller • May 11, 2021

'We are simply not ready' for EV charging at scale, House Republicans say, warning of China dependence

During a hearing last week on major clean-transportation legislation — part of the Biden administration's $174 billion proposal to bolster electric vehicles — Republicans said the plan strips away consumer choice.

By Robert Walton • May 06, 2021