Utilities vs. grid edge upstarts: Turf battles in an increasingly DER-centric world

Utilities believe they are best positioned to manage the grid if they own and control the data directly, without intermediaries, but Tesla, SunRun and others want to collect and manage the data for their own platform benefits.

By Dan Goldman • Feb. 21, 2020

Slowed pay-off from billions in AMI investment puts the technology's future in doubt

Regulators have approved billions for utilities to roll out advanced metering infrastructure, but they expected new customer and system benefits, not just lower utility operation costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 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

Oregon approves Portland General's transportation electrification plan, setting stage for 1M EVs

The utility expects up to 1 million electric vehicles in its service territory by 2050, and now has a broad strategy focused on limiting costs to meet the associated demand.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2020

ConEd developing $13M curbside EV charging program with AddEnergie

Dozens of chargers will allow drivers to charge their electric vehicle while parked in the utility's New York City service territory — though they will likely pay more than equivalent gasoline costs.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020

APS partners with clean energy business group to reach 100% carbon-free target

The utility will work with Advanced Energy Economy and 13 companies to develop clean energy solutions that include electrifying transportation, grid flexibility and expanding low-carbon generation capacity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020

Sustainability tops utility concerns, as SEU survey sees discrepancies on cybersecurity, stranded assets

Some 50% of utility respondents to Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility Survey expect their organization to significantly increase the amount of grid-scale solar by 2030, a stronger forecast than for any other resource.

By Larry Pearl • Feb. 12, 2020

Ameren's hourly pricing program could reduce EV charging costs 50%, study finds

The dynamic pricing program, based on day-ahead prices in the Midcontinent ISO, has already saved Illinois residential consumers more than $12 million, according to the utility.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2020

ChargePoint commits $1B to expand EV charging as Ocasio-Cortez, others unveil bills for a national network

Last week, U.S. lawmakers and the developer of the largest electric vehicle charging network in the nation separately announced large-scale initiatives to grow the nation's emissions-free transportation infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2020

Pepco's proposed EV charger incentive puts environmental and consumer groups at odds

Regulators in Washington, D.C., will need to make a decision on the proposed $500 rebate, knowing that some consumer advocates remain opposed.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2020

Reimagining the grid: How PGE, SCE and others are prepping for transportation electrification

There's no question that electric vehicles can provide a net benefit to the system, according to Portland General Electric President and CEO Maria Pope.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 4, 2020

State regulators need cyclical reviews to get the most out of utility performance incentive mechanisms: Report

Upending utility business models is more easily done with complementary state policies and continuous improvement of incentives, according to Energy Innovation and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 4, 2020

How ConEd and National Grid are experimenting with energy storage in New York

Consolidated Edison is in the middle of several major projects to advance the state's distributed grid, while working to add 300 MW of energy storage by 2023.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 3, 2020

Q&A: GE CTO on adapting to the clean energy transition

Utility Dive caught up with GE Grid Solutions' Chief Technology Officer Vera Silva to discuss the shifting technology space in the utility industry, as well as short and long-term solutions for decarbonizing the power grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 3, 2020

At a crossroads: The connected future of EVs, solar, energy storage and software

The need for partnership across industries is increasing as the EV market continues to expand and challenge a static electric grid, driving industry forward to a clean, connected future, the authors write.

By Wes Doane and Lior Handelsman • Jan. 31, 2020

Xcel assesses non-wires alternatives to distribution upgrade as it enters new proceedings in Colorado, Minnesota

The utility teamed up with the Electric Power Research Institute, finding the use of storage and demand response could defer the need to upgrade a feeder on its system, Distributech attendees heard Jan. 28.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 30, 2020

PG&E is betting heavily on microgrids. But can it move away from fossil fuels?

The utility is proposing to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation in areas that are vulnerable to public safety power shut-offs. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 28, 2020

2020 Outlook: New state action on customer empowering rate designs and business models

Regulators, utilities and stakeholders will pilot simple price signals and work toward agreement on a performance-based framework, but California may be in for a surprise.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2020

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

2020 Outlook: Utilities will be pushed to further embrace distributed energy resources

As net metering fades, some states will move ahead with new visions for DERs, while others are playing catch-up.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020

How much — and how fast — will Colorado change its utility business model?

Xcel Energy's Colorado utility cautions that implementing performance-based regulation too quickly could "jeopardize" the state's progress toward clean energy.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 16, 2020

Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA

Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector

From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020

PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035

One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2020

Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions

Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2020