Allowing DERs to participate in wholesale markets does not trample state and local authority

What's needed is a framework of shared authority that puts the electricity industry on a path to ensuring that all resources can fairly compete to provide service on the basis of price and performance.

By Ted Thomas and Jeff Dennis • May 14, 2019

DERs and DERMS platforms take center stage in grid transformation

Utilities must reduce risks and get more value from existing DERs while preparing for a future with even greater levels of DERs.

May 14, 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

South Carolina unanimously passes solar bill to lift 2% net metering cap

The bill addresses a number of other solar development barriers as well, including PURPA and resource planning reform.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 10, 2019

Florida's solar turnaround sparks concerns over limits on community projects

Many are asking how big this boom will get, but a better question may be how this growth will evolve as its impact sparks responses by utilities, solar developers and policymakers.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2019

South Carolina regulators slash Duke Energy Progress rate hikes, cut $333M coal ash recovery

The Public Service Commission adopted a similar motion reducing another Duke subsidiary's proposed rate hike by 54%, signaling the impact of stakeholders that rallied to oppose the increases.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2019

ConEd eases customer DER adoption while gaining data to improve grid planning

Customers installing solar panels or an electric vehicle charger can get a free device that avoids the cost of upgrading the home's circuit panel and provides the utility with valuable energy usage data.

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2019

EVgo commits to powering chargers with 100% renewable energy

The electric vehicle charging network said it will rely on wind and solar energy, becoming the first in the United States to make such a commitment.

By Chris Teale • May 8, 2019

We Energies proposes fee for solar customers (again)

The fee, which would charge solar customers an additional $3.53/kW-month, is similar to the one rejected by a circuit court judge in 2015.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 7, 2019

Colorado approves bill putting Tri-State under PUC as members flee to renewables

Legislators on Friday passed a comprehensive utility bill that also codifies Xcel's clean energy goals.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 7, 2019

Michigan regulators approve DTE $273M rate increase, EV pilot, net metering replacement

DTE Energy, which had requested a larger rate increase, will spend $13 million on a three-year electric vehicle and school bus charging pilot program that could support thousands of charging stations.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2019

Valuing the energy resilience contributions of distributed energy

Grid hardening initiatives and innovations take the spotlight in the wake of blackouts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

By Wilson Rickerson • May 3, 2019

Green Mountain Power pilots Tesla batteries as meters

The technology uses Powerwall battery packs to measure energy use for 18 months, with plans to test other systems as part of their vision to have batteries in every home.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 2, 2019

Utility buy of DER providers: A perfect match or a problematic combination?

A new white paper suggests the only way utility holding companies can keep DER providers from disrupting the power sector is to buy them.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 29, 2019

Use it or lose it: The once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the US electric grid

Who should be responsible for developing, owning and operating the energy resources that replace uneconomic coal and nuclear generation: rate-regulated utilities or independent, competitive developers?

By Todd Glass and Heather Curlee • April 29, 2019

Iowa regulators clarify EV charging stations not considered utilities

The order specifies language on what entities are subject to utility rates, clarifying that utilities cannot restrict charging at public or commercial EV stations.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2019

Oregon directs utilities to show plans for accelerating transportation electrification

Oregon has aggressive clean transportation goals to complement its renewable portfolio standard, but the state's utilities will need to do some work to meet them.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2019

New York updates distributed solar tariff, clearing path for 1 GW of new generation

Changes to the state's Value of Distributed Energy Resources tariff aim to improve methods for calculating and compensating community resources, including extending net metering to projects under 750 kW.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019

Utilities, charger vendors find interconnection best practices to propel EV growth

Collaboration and transparency pioneered in solar interconnections can fast-start delayed transportation electrification ambitions.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2019

High-speed hurdle: Designing a fast-charging network for electric buses

Bus manufacturer New Flyer has just the ticket: planning deployment and charging stations by route.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 22, 2019

Iowa House jumps on EV registration fee trend as solution to lower gas tax revenue

If the fee is ultimately enacted, Iowa would join 20 other states taking similar steps to replace the gasoline taxes not paid by EV drivers.

By Robert Walton • April 22, 2019

SEPA: Transactive energy can support grid modernization, DER coordination

Much work is needed on the regulatory and infrastructure side to advance transactive energy concepts beyond pilots, the report says.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2019

Green Mountain Power aims for 100% renewables by 2030 with up to 100 MW storage

Vermont's largest utility is 90% carbon free, but reaching 100% renewables will require the utility to increase its deployment of distributed resources and storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2019

Colorado passes bill to avoid urban-rural divide on EV chargers

The legislation authorizes the Colorado Energy Office to direct more money from the state's EV Grant Fund to areas where station revenues likely would not defray costs.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019

Bipartisan group of lawmakers proposes extending tax credits for electric, fuel cell vehicles

Sales of electric vehicles in the United States increased by more than 80% in 2018, but advocates say the market is still just getting started and tax credits remain key to that momentum.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2019

Montana approves bill to allow utility power sales to EV charging stations

The bill headed to Gov. Steve Bullock also determines the EV charging companies are not public utilities and directs regulators to set rates for EV charging. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2019