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

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

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

Southwest Power Pool moves to boost reliability, storage amid CEO resignation

The buildout of cheap renewables and the large queue of battery storage projects prompted stakeholders to ask SPP to study the reliability impacts of a grid with less conventional generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 1, 2019

Wholesale electricity market design for rapid decarbonization: A decentralized markets approach

What wholesale market design would provide the best framework for integrating reliably and at least cost the new, clean resources that will be needed to de-carbonize the power system?

By Rob Gramlich and Michael Hogan • July 29, 2019

Is SCADA your enterprise data speed bump?

The steep growth of distributed energy resources has sparked a correspondingly large growth of connected grid systems, devices, assets and Operational Technology data.

By Brad Harkavy • July 26, 2019

DOE announces $16M in funding for 14 tribal energy projects, including solar, storage

Several multi-million dollar solar and efficiency projects are expected to save tribes even more over project lifetimes.

By Max Witynski • July 25, 2019

Apple leads second-biggest year for commercial solar installations: SEIA

Power purchase agreements and off-site installations play an important role as more companies add solar capacity.

By Max Witynski • July 25, 2019

New York expands access to EV charging incentives, blocks Tesla from qualifying

The commission adopted a "technology neutral approach" to incentives available for new charging equipment, which it says will "better adapt to the rapid technological advancements in EVs." 

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2019

Cincinnati to add more EVs to its city fleet

The city is also engaging in programs to increase citizens' awareness of and exposure to EVs through partnerships with local and regional bodies.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2019

North Bay completes Canada's first utility-scale microgrid

The Community Energy Park in Ontario will deploy natural gas and solar for combined heat and power.

By Max Witynski • July 17, 2019

Toyota to partner with world's largest electric car battery supplier

The partnership will help Toyota secure supply in an increasingly competitive race to scale up EV production in the next five to 10 years.

By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2019

Tendril targets utility customer care trend, merges into a new platform

The company shifted its strategy from acquiring market leaders to providing end-to-end service to customers through a more integrated load management platform.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 16, 2019

VW and Ford expand partnership on EVs, AVs

Volkswagen will invest $2.6 billion in Argo AI, signaling the latest collaboration between major automakers adapting to new mobility trends. 

By Jason Plautz • July 15, 2019

Duke defends North Carolina EV pilot program after regulatory staff recommends rejection

Duke frames their request as a "pilot" with associated tariffs, but is "essentially requesting pre-approval of EV infrastructure investments that would be funded by customers," utility commission staff said.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2019

Pennsylvania regulators outline criteria for alternative rate proposals to support new tech

Several technologies are pushing the need for updated ratemaking principles, according to the Public Utility Commission, including rooftop solar, gas microturbines and combined heat and power projects.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2019

Arizona's new EV growth plan could save customers billions, groups say

State regulators on Thursday approved guidelines for electric vehicle pilot programs that include a focus on infrastructure, education and outreach as well as an analysis of where to locate charging stations.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2019