Ensuring DER inclusion in capacity markets may require a rethink of resource adequacy

The growth of customer-owned resources is forcing system operators and aggregators to see their value as reliability tools and rethink the concept of resource adequacy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2020

5 technologies propelling the energy transition

Utility Dive's latest series focused on electric sector innovations that could strengthen the grid, increase reliability and expand clean energy.

By Utility Dive Editors • Aug. 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

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

A pivotal moment for microgrid policy – What California is getting right and where it's heading from here

The California Public Utilities Commission's microgrid regulatory proceedings could be a bellwether for microgrid development across the country, the author writes.

By Jonathan Kevles • Aug. 20, 2020

Propelling the transition: Green hydrogen could be the final piece in a zero-emissions future

Green hydrogen beats renewables plus batteries at fueling heavy transport, serving industry and long duration storage — if it can be delivered affordably.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 17, 2020

Xcel Energy unveils plan to serve 1.5M EVs by 2030

The utility is anticipating a 30-fold increase in the number of plug-in vehicles across its service territories, in hopes of saving customers billions in fuel costs.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2020

Sunrun posts Q2 loss but anticipates storage boost as battery prices fall, blackouts persist

Sunrun has developed a pipeline of deals to provide grid services, such as virtual power plants, in half of the regions it operates, CEO Lynn Jurich said during the company's second quarter earnings call.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2020

Doubling down on energy efficiency in our fight against climate change

Energy saved today affords more climate value than energy saved later. So why make energy efficiency trade-offs?

By Marisa Uchin, Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, Oracle Utilities • Aug. 12, 2020

GM, EVgo to triple fast charging network

The companies announced plans to add more than 2,700 new fast chargers in "highly visible areas" across 40 undisclosed metropolitan areas.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 3, 2020

Taking Charge: How California's first CCA confronts wildfire risk and energy equity amid COVID-19

MCE CEO Dawn Weisz spoke to Utility Dive about the community choice aggregator's efforts to make its service area more resilient.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 29, 2020

DC regulators consider 'light touch' when it comes to microgrid rules

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia is considering the development of a regulatory framework for microgrids, hoping to encourage deployment of more renewable energy and storage.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2020

Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid

The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.

By Chris Teale • July 24, 2020

2019 was a bumper year for microgrid deployment, but COVID-19 could slow progress: WoodMac

While distributed fossil fuels accounted for a majority of microgrid capacity installed in 2019, WoodMac analyst Isaac Maze-Rothstein expects the share of renewables and storage to increase over the next five years.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 23, 2020

UK-based DER company enters North American market as US sits 'on the cusp' of mass transition

As the costs of battery storage drop in North America, a technology company focused on virtual power plants crosses the Atlantic to launch two new projects.

By Emma Penrod • July 21, 2020

New York investor-owned utilities to fund $701M make-ready EV infrastructure program

State regulators have authorized a cost-sharing program to encourage utilities and charging station developers to install 50,000 Level 2 charging plugs and 1,500 direct current fast charger stations.

By Robert Walton • July 21, 2020

FERC shuts down petition to upend net metering, McNamee signals issue could return

Though all four commissioners voted against the petition, Commissioners James Danly and Bernard McNamee issued separate concurrence statements.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

New York adopts net metering alternative, delays implementation due to COVID-19

New rules and charges will go into effect in 2022, which solar stakeholders say gives the industry time to recover from the effects of the global pandemic.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2020

Microgrid of the future emerges in Washington as Avista preps transactive DER project

New building control systems and a pair of solar+storage systems in Spokane's University District will test the business case for greater integration of distributed energy resources, according to the utility.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2020

Momentum grows for piloting Netflix-like fixed subscription rates, but not everyone's on board

For customers who want predictable bills, pairing automated smart distribution technologies with flat rates can resolve the overuse challenge of traditional fixed bills.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2020

NERA counters broad opposition to FERC net metering petition, reveals utility-linked member

Attorneys for the New England Ratepayers Association have revealed one of its members — the president and founder of energy consulting firm Brant Energy, whose clients include National Grid, Eversource and DTE Energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 2, 2020

FPL proposes $0.30/kWh rate for utility-owned EV stations, rider to address high demand charges

Florida Power & Light proposed a pair of electric vehicle rate mechanisms, including two riders to address the impact of demand charges on low-utilization stations.

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2020

Why clean car advocates expect to prevail in court battle over California emission standards

Last year the Trump administration stopped allowing California and other states to set their own vehicle emission standards. Opponents of that move say Congress decided the issue decades ago, and the courts more recently.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2020

COVID-19 propels microgrids in healthcare sector, but regulatory, awareness hurdles remain

"If we think this is the last time we’re going to be dealing with something like this, I think we’re being foolish," said an executive at a Southern Company distributed power subsidiary.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 29, 2020

California approves landmark zero emission truck rule amid push to meet state environmental goals

The California Air Resources Board on Thursday unanimously passed its Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, requiring every new truck sold in California to be zero emission starting in 2045.

By S.L. Fuller • June 26, 2020

DC to LA: Electrify America completes nation's first cross-country EV fast charging corridor

Meanwhile, a new analysis from The Brattle Group finds the U.S. could need up to $125 billion in investment by 2030 in order to serve growth in the zero-emission transportation sector.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2020

Nevada moves to adopt stricter vehicle emission standards amid continuing federal-state battle

The Trump administration has rescinded waivers necessary for states to set their own vehicle emission standards, but that hasn't stopped Nevada and others from showing interest.

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2020