With 10% penetration, EVs could shift all residential peak load to night, analysis of SoCal Ed finds

Jackson Associates analyzed 5,000 Southern California Edison customer loads and concluded that electric vehicles could be used as a Virtual Power Plant capable of smoothing out the utility's residential peak demand.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2019

FPL settles with Walmart, clean energy groups to advance largest US community solar project

The 1,490 MW project would almost double the amount of community solar currently installed in the U.S., but renewables advocates were initially concerned the program wasn't accessible to low income customers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 15, 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

Clean Peaks & Polar Vortexes: Aligning climate and reliability goals in an extreme weather world

If states do not align digitization, decentralization and decarbonization policies with a fourth dimension of diversification, industry may need to take unprecedented action, the authors write.

By Brian Evans-Mongeon, Dan Kopin and Lon Huber • Oct. 14, 2019

Plugging In: Colleges seek partners to help reach energy goals

As more energy customers set goals for lower emissions, some institutions are tapping the private sector for technical expertise and financial support to advance sustainability.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 14, 2019

Mass shutoffs to remain a reality for PG&E as utility calls long-term DER solutions 'speculation'

The utility says its Public Safety Power Shutoff program is already "granular," and larger system improvements will take years.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2019

Massachusetts rejects National Grid EV plan, advocates say oil interests sowed disinformation

National Grid proposed moving ahead with Phase II of its plan to support electric vehicle growth, but regulators say they want to see data from Phase I.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2019

As renewables and DER expand, can IPPs be investment grade?

The few remaining IPPs must adapt to new market realities or face an uncomfortable future, writes Aneesh Prabhu, senior director of U.S. Energy Infrastructure at S&P Global Ratings.

By Aneesh Prabhu • Oct. 9, 2019

As CCAs take over utility customers, local renewable generation emerges as the next big growth driver

The demand for customer choice has the potential to quicken the power system's transition toward cheaper, cleaner electricity, and is moving beyond California.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2019

Don't just stop the bloodletting: Utility survival and prosperity in a DER-centric future

Utilities should stop trying to build better relationships with their customers and instead focus on building relationships with customers' assets, while using blockchain to bring it all together.

By Peter Bronski and Arno Laeven • Oct. 3, 2019

3 state commissions upending the way utilities do business

Oregon, Illinois and Hawaii regulators are disrupting the traditional utility cost-of-service model to bring more distributed energy resources online.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 2, 2019

The future of energy storage is here: An inside look at Rocky Mountain Power’s 600-battery DR project

The 12.6 MWh Utah project uses solar and battery systems as a virtual power plant.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

Uber, EVgo partner to expand ride-share electrification

The companies signed an MOU to research use of EVs on the platform and assess where more charging infrastructure is needed.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 27, 2019

PG&E wants EV demand charges to mimic smartphone plans. Regulators are skeptical

A proposed decision by the California Public Utilities Commission would slash PG&E's proposed 'subscription' fees for commercial EV charging.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2019

Minnesota, New Mexico propose clean car rules as Trump attacks California standards

State and city leaders as well as utilities worry the administration's proposed rules could threaten EV momentum and are setting their own rules.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 26, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

Amazon buys 100K electric vans as part of net zero carbon goals

The e-commerce company revealed its total carbon footprint was 44.4 million metric tons in 2018, and it wants to achieve carbon neutrality 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Accord's 2050 goal. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 20, 2019

Ex-Tesla exec wants to increase utility control of DERs, and has a smart panel to do it

The new electric panel combines smart metering capabilities with remote control of energy use in residences, while easing installation of solar, energy storage and EV chargers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 20, 2019

FERC proposal would 'gut' PURPA, could lower rates utilities pay to solar developers

The proposed rule would allow states to set the avoided cost rate based on changing market conditions, which would lessen small solar's ability to compete in the market, renewable energy groups contend.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 8, 2019

Trump administration threatens California emissions authority as state continues EV-focus

California passed six EV-related bills this legislative session, but its zero emissions vehicle rebate program could be threatened by EPA's actions.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 19, 2019

Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Do your systems have what it takes for grid modernization?

To meet tomorrow's challenges, utilities need to maintain and deliver greatly expanded network information to all systems and stakeholders. GIS provides the technology to help utilities understand how to evolve the grid from where it is today to where it needs to be.

By Pat Hohl, PE • Sept. 18, 2019

IREC includes storage for the first time in its updated interconnection procedures

As storage becomes a larger player in the power system, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council recommends best practices for interconnecting the controllable distributed generation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2019

Louisiana utilities to pay less for rooftop solar power under new net metering rules

The changes will also allow utilities to recover any lost revenues from the excess power provided by rooftop solar, "a pretty remarkable turn," says one opponent.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 13, 2019

Michigan urges MISO, PJM to improve regional reliability after Consumers compressor station fire

In a letter to the grid operators, the state's governor and head regulator called for quicker interconnection processes to improve regional resource diversity and a reexamination of demand response capabilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 12, 2019

As utilities scramble to manage explosive DER growth, is power grid autonomy a solution?

The U.S. electric grid could face hundreds of millions of distributed resource deployments in the near future. But optimizing these data points may exceed human ability.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2019