Distributed Energy: Page 2
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Deep DiveVPP vs. VPP: Customer-owned DER aggregators challenge Xcel-owned batteries in Minnesota docket
The Minnesota decision could affect how regulators see virtual power plants nationwide.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2026 -
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Efficiency, demand flexibility can meet growing data center loads — and do so cheaply: ACEEE
Large utility programs provide energy efficiency for about $21/MWh, while new combined-cycle gas plants cost at least twice that, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy said.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineTop 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 -
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Sponsored by OrenniaEnergy policy roadmap: What utilities can expect through 2026
Take a look at what progress has been made on Project 2025 energy sector policy recommendations to shed light on what Orennia might expect to see in 2026.
By Aaron Foyer, Director of Research • Feb. 17, 2026 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Energy.
OpinionMinnesota’s distributed capacity procurement decision could shape the grid far beyond its borders
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission should approve a framework that supports open, competitive participation, writes Coalition for Community Solar Access CEO Jeff Cramer.
By Jeff Cramer • Feb. 12, 2026 -
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Data centers can tap batteries, microgrids for faster interconnection: NEMA
Battery systems are “increasingly critical” for data center operators willing to pay a premium for resilience and faster time to power, industry analysts say.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 10, 2026 -
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New Jersey utilities begin to develop virtual power plants
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities asked for information from utilities on distributed energy resource hosting constraints and how new interconnections can be accelerated.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
2026 US power sector outlook
Read Utility Dive's road map to the year ahead for FERC, affordability, renewable energy, distributed energy resources and more.
By Meris Lutz • Jan. 30, 2026 -
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Deep DiveCustomers, don’t expect electric bill relief in 2026: ‘The cake is baked.’
Energy affordability has long been a problem for the poorest Americans, but now middle-income families are starting to feel the squeeze.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2026 -
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Deep DiveIn 2026, virtual power plants must scale or risk being left behind
The AI data center frenzy is shifting utilities’ focus to large-scale generation. But advocates say flexible, distributed energy resources still provide the biggest bang for the buck, according to our 2026 DER outlook.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2026 -
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OpinionMassachusetts can make ‘bottom-up’ distribution reforms for a better grid
Adopting a distribution system operator, or DSO, structure would make the grid cleaner, more flexible and more affordable, writes Corrin Moss.
By Corrin Moss • Jan. 22, 2026 -
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Managed EV charging can save utilities and ratepayers money: report
By optimizing electric vehicle charging around peak times, utilities can delay costly distribution grid upgrades while cutting per-vehicle charging costs by 25% or more, Brattle Group said this month.
By Brian Martucci • Jan. 21, 2026 -
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images via Getty Images
New Jersey governor orders state to accelerate solar, storage and virtual power plants
Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who was sworn in Tuesday, also ordered regulators to study how to “modernize” the traditional electric utility business model, including by making utility profits “less dependent on capital spending.”
By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2026 -
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OpinionThe data center dependency crisis: When our grid can’t function without big tech
We're sleepwalking into a future where our electric grid depends on the voluntary cooperation of private technology companies because the short-term benefits are too attractive to resist, writes Mothusi Pahl of Hartwell and Loche.
By Mothusi Pahl • Jan. 16, 2026 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Energy.
Xcel defends storage ownership in distributed capacity pilot
The Minnesota utility floated modifications to its Capacity*Connect proposal, but it maintained it should own the batteries as it builds out the program. Stakeholders argued for more competition.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2026 -
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Sponsored by WeaveGridDistributed load flexibility: The overlooked relief valve for the grid
As load growth accelerates, distributed flexibility can protect reliability and affordability.
Jan. 12, 2026 -
Retrieved from X.
Illinois sets 3-GW energy storage target, requires utilities to develop virtual power plants
Electricity bills in Illinois rose 15% last year. A new law aims to reduce energy costs by incentivizing new resources, expanding solar and growing efficiency programs.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2026 -
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo via Getty Images
Utilities under pressure: 6 power sector trends to watch in 2026
Facing rising demand and aggressive load growth projections, utilities are rolling out massive spending plans. Now they'll have to walk a fine line with regulators and ratepayers.
By Meris Lutz , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland , Diana DiGangi • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of GE Vernova
OpinionHow VPPs can help data centers connect to the grid faster
Virtual power plants can be developed quickly to satisfy data center demand, but reaching the scale required to meet soaring load growth will require new commercial models, according to RMI.
By Jesse Cohen, Mark Dyson and Lauren Shwisberg • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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Prepaid leases, data center dollars key for DERs in 2026: Enphase executive
Analysts expect a residential solar-and-storage market already trending away from customer ownership to shift rapidly toward the lease and subscription model next year.
By Brian Martucci • Updated Dec. 24, 2025 -
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Deep DiveTribal nations regroup after loss of federal funding for clean energy
“We know the demand for energy is only going to continue in the coming years,” said Clara Pratte, founder of the solar company Navajo Power. “And in terms of tribal communities, we have to be players in this world.”
By Diana DiGangi • Updated Dec. 16, 2025 -
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Sponsored by West MonroeWhat’s ahead for utilities: Navigating demand, AI and customer affordability
Discover the trends reshaping utilities and what to expect in 2026.
Dec. 15, 2025 -
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NYPA adopts 5.5-GW renewables plan amid concerns over affordability, policy changes
Developers with major solar, wind and storage projects in the New York Power Authority’s updated plan include AES, EDF Renewable Energy, Forward Power and Orenda.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 10, 2025 -
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Deep DiveUtilities, regulators look to accelerate pilots to achieve speed-to-innovation
Stakeholders say clear cost limits, timelines and parameters for scaling can overcome the inertia of a traditionally risk-averse industry.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2025 -
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OpinionBeyond new wires: The untapped path to grid resilience
The fastest, most affordable path to resilience lies in maximizing distributed energy resources already in homes and businesses, and incentivizing more installations, Uplight’s Hannah Bascom writes.
By Hannah Bascom • Dec. 1, 2025 -
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Sunrun sees 400% growth in virtual power plant participation
The company says battery attachment rate is 70% for new customers in the third quarter of 2025, up 10 percentage points from last year.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 10, 2025
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