Navigant predicts rapid growth in vehicle-grid integration revenues

Utilities are just beginning to consider how electric vehicles can help manage the grid, but Navigant Research anticipates a rapid increase in capabilities that will ultimately mean more dollars flowing back to customers.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2019

Tax credit, net metering declines strike distributed solar, but falling costs, storage offer new hope

With tax credits and net metering threatened, previous withdrawals of financial support mechanisms show what the distributed solar industry may soon face.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 19, 2019

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

Investigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition

Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019

California moves to boost storage to combat safety-driven power shutoffs

A proposed decision by the Public Utilities Commission would expand the state's Self-Generation Incentive Program to benefit customers in high fire-threat areas.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Jan. 16, 2020

Tesla's Australian virtual power plant propped up grid during coal outage

The company's virtual power plant of 50,000 houses is only 2% complete so far, but it proved its worth during a generator outage this fall.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2019

Utilities can profit from a DER-heavy future by transitioning from traditional business models: report

New industry research highlights a path to expanding the business models for distribution utilities as more rooftop solar and energy storage is added behind the meter.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 11, 2019

Minnesota pioneers integration of new interconnection standard expected to propel DERs

Integration of the IEEE standard will mean that distributed energy resources can automatically respond to certain grid conditions, enabling significantly higher penetrations on the grid, the author writes.

By Sara Baldwin • Dec. 9, 2019

The Utility Dive Awards for 2019

The annual awards highlight the biggest trends in innovation in the electric utility sector: from penciling out electrification efforts to pioneering new revenue streams for distributed resources.

Dec. 9, 2019

Project of the Year: Soleil Lofts solar+storage development

The virtual power plant outside of Salt Lake City underscores the role of utility involvement in emerging grid products.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2019

Executive of the Year: Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power

Powell is leaving her post at the end of the year, but created a new playbook for the investor-owned utility to continue to prioritize customer choice.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: Sunrun

The solar and storage developer has been pioneering new business models to increase aggregation of distributed resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 9, 2019

Despite changes, commissioners see traditional utility system dominating over next decade: NARUC

U.S. utility commissioners agree that traditional fossil fuel generation will be an important aspect of grid reliability over the next decade, according to a NARUC survey.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 26, 2019

FERC is on the right track with resilience. Republicans can help by upholding conservative principles

Republicans in Congress and the administration should affirm local control, while ensuring a high threshold to justify the government favoring any one energy resource or generation technology over another, the author writes.

By Charles Hernick • Nov. 25, 2019

Maximizing the value of your green power programs

Well-designed green power programs provide many benefits to utilities. Be sure you extract the full value from your program.

By Amanda Mortlock, VP, Utility Partnerships, 3Degrees • Nov. 20, 2019

House clean energy tax bill sees broad industry support, but Senate path uncertain

The draft legislative package, introduced Nov. 19, adds energy storage and offshore wind, while extending solar and electric vehicle tax credits.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2019

Don't minimize the resilience role of microgrids. They're key to mitigating wildfire and PSPS risk

Community Microgrids are stacked with local renewables and staged for resilience, providing communities a trifecta of economic, environmental and resilience benefits, writes Clean Coalition's Craig Lewis.

By Craig Lewis • Nov. 18, 2019

How intelligent DERMS controls at multiple levels maximize the impact of energy storage

In a three-part series, learn how Austin Energy and Doosan GridTech are maximizing the value of integrated storage and DERs through the DOE-funded Austin SHINES program. 

Nov. 18, 2019

EV-specific rates are the gateway to direct load management, SEPA report finds

A new report from the Smart Electric Power Alliance illustrates the effectiveness of time-varying rates for electric vehicles, including steps utilities can take to boost enrollment.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2019

How does AI improve grid performance? No one fully understands and that's limiting its use

Machine learning's greatest impact will be helping algorithms understand "how the voltage here affects the voltage there," which will enable "optimizing grid operations like dispatching battery storage," one industry executive said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2019

As Oregon lags behind on its EV goals, PGE makes TOU rates optional to expand access

State regulators are pushing utilities to move quickly in order to boost electric vehicle adoption.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2019

Sacramento utility's plan could block addition of new community solar, storage to local grid

SMUD’s shared solar proposal misses the point and could set a damaging precedent for other utilities and energy providers throughout California, according to Vote Solar's Ed Smeloff.

By Ed Smeloff • Nov. 11, 2019

In the 'cat and mouse game' of utility cyberattacks, AI and machine learning show promise, limits

"There is so much low hanging fruit in utility system challenges that can be addressed by advanced data analytic strategies that AI and machine learning are not the place to start," a cybersecurity expert said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2019

Tesla, Walmart settle lawsuit over fires; solar panels to remain in place

Walmart and Tesla have settled a lawsuit in which the big box retailer alleged the company's solar panel installations caught fire and caused millions in damages.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2019

Congressional Policy Tracker: Everything you need to know from carbon capture to wind energy

Renewable energy developers are lobbying for tax credit extensions while Republican leaders seek bipartisan research-focused solutions to support advanced nuclear, carbon capture and energy storage.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 2, 2019

US power grid attack points surge with proliferating DERs: A hacker 'will eventually get in'

Critical infrastructure protection standards are essential — but they're also just a starting point, say experts focused on maintaining a reliable electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2019