Blockchain-based renewables and storage initiative in Los Angeles wins $9M state grant

The multi-part project in the San Gabriel Valley looks to provide affordable, locally produced energy to 28,000 residents in a disadvantaged community.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2020

Energy storage poised to tackle grid challenges from rising EVs as mobile chargers bring new flexibility

Despite the current hit from the coronavirus pandemic, three new reports say the long-term outlook for electric vehicle sales remains strong, with new features likely to stretch the capabilities of the grid.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants is shifting to a model that includes distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage and even electric vehicles.

By Utility Dive staff

CPUC finds DERs save on transmission investments, but implementation remains 'the big question'

The California Public Utilities Commission's decision could encourage more local generation, Craig Lewis, founder and executive director of Clean Coalition, told Utility Dive.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 5, 2020

Buildings are huge sources of load flexibility, but what's that worth to utilities? DOE investigates

Buildings account for 75% of U.S. electricity consumption, making them key to an interactive grid, a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2020

Tesla delays electric semi truck delivery to 2021, citing battery supply issues

CEO Elon Musk said the production schedule slowed as the company needed to increase battery production to serve all its products. 

By S.L. Fuller • May 5, 2020

California eyes expedited microgrid deployment to help with fire season power shut-offs

A Public Utilities Commission proposal would also approve PG&E's plan to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation to power communities during public safety power shut-offs on a short-term basis. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 30, 2020

Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities

Customer advocates say the new rules make the city a national leader in efforts to increase emissions-free vehicles, and called for similar policies to be adopted across Illinois.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020

Rooftop solar applications up 40% despite COVID-19, HECO says, but DER groups want more

Distributed energy advocates want a speedier interconnection process and warn the March and April uptick is likely not reflective of the pandemic's full impact on the sector.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 28, 2020

As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020

Storage, smart grid, energy efficiency sectors see $337M in Q1 corporate funding: Report

Venture capital funding in these sectors totaled $252 million, according to a report from Mercom Capital Group — a 20% increase over the first quarter of last year.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 22, 2020

Increasing renewables and DER demand new reliability approach, but California is falling short, groups say

Resource adequacy's planning reserve margin worked when supply and load were stable, but new system realities demand a more dynamic approach to protect reliability, emerging power providers and DER advocacy groups say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2020

Global EV sales will drop 43% in 2020 due to COVID-19, lower oil prices: WoodMac

Industry observers, however, note that all car sales are expected to be hit hard — not just electric vehicles. And the long-term outlook remains robust.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2020

Pelosi steps back on infrastructure push as renewables industry vies for aid

Clean energy advocates say there are still avenues for power sector relief from the federal government, including critical project deadline extensions.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 6, 2020

Virginia rejects Dominion's $752M smart meter plan, other grid mod proposals

Regulators penalized the company for failing to justify costs to deploy advanced metering infrastructure, after Dominion failed to submit a broad time-of-use rate plan.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 27, 2020

Distributed storage could see growth in demand amid COVID-19 pandemic, analysts say

The circumstances of the outbreak and the raft of restrictions that states have implemented to prevent its spread could spur interest in resources that provide resilience and self-reliance, analysts say.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 26, 2020

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists

An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020

Florida, Utah, Washington approve bills to boost EVs, including $50M Rocky Mountain Power charging plan

Washington lawmakers passed a bill to adopt California's zero emission vehicle mandate while Utah and Florida legislators approved bills to bolster charging infrastructure in their states.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2020

Outdated business models are holding back greater renewables, DER integration: Enter DSOs

Decoupling ownership and operation of the distribution grid would advance deployment of non-wires solutions, a DER planning manager at Exelon said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 13, 2020

Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value

Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2020

Duke settles with Chargepoint, expanding options for $76M North Carolina EV pilot

To address competitive concerns from ChargePoint, Duke will allow customers and site hosts greater flexibility in charging equipment.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2020

Green hydrogen gets real as utility business models and delivery solutions emerge

The fuel may be the only way to meet power system needs in zero emissions scenarios and the market signals to produce and use it are finally clear.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2020

As Massachusetts solar installs plummet, stalled interconnections, land use questions are key hurdles

Last year, solar installments slowed and jobs disappeared in Massachusetts. Now, developers are trying to overcome regulatory barriers and local opposition to land development.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 27, 2020

State of the Electric Utility 2020

Renewables and sustainability are top priorities for utilities, but there is room for improvement on cybersecurity, climate resilience and more, Utility Dive's seventh annual report finds.​

By Nami Sumida • Feb. 26, 2020

How distributed resources fit into Mountain West's game plan

There's room for utilities to co-exist, and even thrive, with added distributed generation, panelists at the Solar Power and Energy Storage Mountain West conference said Monday.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 25, 2020