The unknown costs of a 100% carbon-free future

State approaches to 100% clean energy vary, and while several costs remain unknown, some utility solutions are emerging.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 3, 2019

Dominion launches electric school bus initiative, aims for 100% electric fleet in Virginia territory by 2030

The utility wants 1,000 electric buses by 2025, at no additional cost to school districts.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 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

Is PREPA ready for hurricane season?

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has "a fragile system," according to the utility's director of project management, and "it still hasn't been elevated to the codes and standards for a Category 4" storm.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2019

Let's reduce wholesale market costs by tapping the full potential of DERs

"FERC should continue to enable more opportunities for DERs to contribute to the future of the grid ... we must unlock the potential of this fleet to create a more efficient grid for all," writes Sunrun's Chris Rauscher.

By Chris Rauscher • Aug. 27, 2019

PG&E may answer the billion dollar grid modernization question

A step-by-step regulatory process in California confronts the technical challenges and "obscene expenses" of distributed resource investments.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2019

RMI calls for national mandates on EV purchases, AV testing

The Rocky Mountain Institute warned the U.S. could fall further behind on new mobility options without stronger central leadership.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 23, 2019

California calls for $100M to incentivize DERs in high-risk wildfire areas

The Public Utilities Commission proposed changes to the state's primary storage incentive that would create a budget for low-income customers in wildfire threat areas.

By HJ Mai • Updated Sept. 13, 2019

'Nearly all' high voltage EV charging stations lose money: Report

Lower-wattage electric vehicle charging stations are less likely to lose money in the current market, as some regions struggle to launch large-scale EV deployment.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2019

Phase 2 of HECO's performance-based rate rollout would reward speedy DER interconnection

The company's proposal includes several performance-based metrics, including penalties and rewards for speed of connecting DER systems less than 100 kW.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2019

Colorado adopts California's zero emission vehicles mandate

The ZEV mandate requires automakers to develop more electric models and advocates say it will save customers $65 million annually by 2025.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2019

What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?

Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019

lllinois budget comes up 500K RECs short of 2025 goals

The Illinois Power Agency issued its draft resource plan last week, which outlines scenarios if funding becomes available through legislative action.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2019

Tesla relaunches solar division, will rent rooftop systems in 6 states

"With the new lower Tesla pricing, it's like having a money printer on your roof if you live [in] a state with high electricity costs," CEO Elon Musk tweeted.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2019

Xcel needs a push to improve its grid transparency tools

Further improvements to Xcel's hosting capacity analysis and map are necessary to help Minnesota realize the full potential of DERs, including renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, writes Yochi Zakai, an attorney for IREC.

By Yochi Zakai • Aug. 20, 2019

California OKs $100M SDG&E commercial EV charging plan, testing electric buses as grid assets

The school bus pilot program will test the ability to use electric vehicles as a distributed energy resource to improve the utility's load factor and reduce local air pollution.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019

Simultaneous hack of EV chargers could cause Manhattan blackout, NYU researchers find

High-wattage public charging stations could be used by hackers to destabilize the electric grid and potentially cause blackouts, according to analysis from the New York University Tandon School of Engineering.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019

Everyone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth

Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development​, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

Microgrid deployments not driven by natural disasters: WoodMac

Interest in resilience is strong, but just one of the motivations behind the proliferation of microgrids.

By Max Witynski • Aug. 12, 2019

Crossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy

A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.

By Max Witynski • Updated Sept. 30, 2019

Hawaii regulators question lack of non-wires alternatives in HECO's integrated grid plan

The Public Utilities Commission asked if a "course of correction is necessary" for the utility's plan, particularly regarding the resilience benefits of microgrid solutions on the state's mountainous islands.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 8, 2019

What's the best role for utilities as EVs proliferate? With Pepco, DC aims to find the right balance

A Public Service Commission order raises questions about how and if third-party charging companies should be regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2019

As co-ops struggle with stranded fossil fuel assets, Tri-State may finally embrace the energy transition

"Our goal is a transition that lowers rates. It might be hard – but it might be beautiful," the G&T's new CEO told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2019

Monetizing microgrids: Utilities are missing a unique opportunity

Utilities are uniquely positioned to operationalize and monetize the value of microgrids to all ratepayers instead of a select few,  creating a distributed energy grid to many instead of a set of early adopters.

By Megan Kerins and Ana Sophia Mifsud • Aug. 6, 2019