Hungry for green power, tech giants choose between utilities, independent developers

Utilities increasingly supply 100% renewable energy to large customers, raising questions about why they don't purchase more wind and solar for their entire consumer base. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

BQDM program demonstrates benefits of non-traditional utility investments

Con Edison's Brooklyn Queens Demand Management project creates a win-win-win scenario for the utility, third-party companies and customers, highlighting advantages of non-traditional solutions.

By Coley Girouard • March 11, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

Michigan ALJ proposes solar compromise in DTE rate case

The administrative law judge recommended eliminating the fee requested by the utility for solar users while lowering the compensation rate for rooftop solar.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019

DOE plans to complete 13 of 16 delayed efficiency standards in 'coming months'

A spokesperson said the standards include rules for clothes dryers, cooking products and electric motors, but did not provide further details.

By Gavin Bade • March 7, 2019

ISO-NE forecasts transition to distributed, renewable generation

The grid operator released its 2019 Regional Electricity Outlook last week, listing natural gas plants as the only new conventional generation resource expected online between 2018 and 2020.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 7, 2019

US energy storage market expected to more than double in 2019, report says

Wood Mackenzie analysts say the market nearly doubled in 2018 and expect even greater growth this year, with utilities projected to add more than 1.6 GWh of storage. 

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2019

ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer

The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 6, 2019

AEP launches electric utility tech accelerator to identify 'compelling' startups

American Electric Power's initiative with innovation specialist L Marks will be a 10-week bootcamp-style energy summit focused on accelerating the development of grid solutions.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2019

Pennsylvania removes barrier to third-party EV charging station ownership

State regulators approved tariff supplements for FirstEnergy utilities which confirm that electric vehicle charging at third-party owned charging stations will not be considered a resale of electricity.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2019

California regulators tee up changes to utility distributed storage programs

A proposed decision from an Administrative Law Judge would direct utilities to allow independently owned projects to compete with utility-owned proposals when procuring distributed storage.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 28, 2019

How new ideas of mobility will shape public EV charging infrastructure

The future of mobility will be autonomous and electric, with more people opting not to own a vehicle. That means ride- and car-sharing services will need to play a role in helping utilities roll out charging infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2019

New York utilities propose cybersecurity protocols for third parties

New York's investor-owned utilities want the Public Service Commission to confirm they can require third-party grid players to sign data security commitments or have their access restricted.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2019

New York utilities, NYISO to collaborate on allowing storage in state's wholesale and retail markets

Following through on its approval of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 1.5 GW by 2025 target, the Public Service Commission laid out priorities for a working group on integration and market design for energy storage.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 26, 2019

SEU 2019 survey: Uncertainty mounts in the clean energy transition

Utilities are still moving to a cleaner, more distributed power system, but our annual survey shows they are increasingly unsure about what types of regulation and market structures they want to foster the transition.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2019

Massachusetts house speaker introduces plan to allocate $1B for efficiency, renewables

The plan would give communities easier access to funds to install energy storage, solar grids, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and more.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 25, 2019

How Oncor is preparing for a wave of large electric fleet vehicles

The biggest utility in Texas says growth of large EVs — like electric delivery vans and semi trucks — could necessitate "major investments" to its distribution grid. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2019

Missouri regulators open docket to tackle EV infrastructure

The move from the Public Service Commission comes after an appeals court ruled utilities can recover their investment for electric vehicle chargers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2019

Brattle study shows utilities could save billions through competition on transmission revamps

Only 2% of transmission infrastructure projects went through a competitive process, but higher savings could be achieved.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated March 1, 2019

De-energize and DERs: The tough options wildfires pose for California utilities

California IOUs’ wildfire mitigation plans will cost billions and take years, but distributed generation can give customers power during protective shutoffs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2019

EPS Ep. 7: Demystifying the Green New Deal with Greg Carlock

The Data for Progress research director says non-renewable resources and market-based policies can have a role in a Green New Deal — as long as they serve the aims of deep decarbonization and economic justice. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 20, 2019

Ameren files $6.3B grid transformation plan with Missouri regulators

The largest line item in the proposal is a $1.9 billion investment in "smart, reliable grid operations," which covers a wide range of initiatives, including distributed solar and energy storage.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019

Pennsylvania prods utility investment in charging as part of EV growth plan

If three in 10 vehicles on the roads were electric, the state could gain almost $2.8 billion in benefits, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2019

New Hampshire grid mod proposal recommends 'tempered' approach to AMI

Staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission say they are still working on cybersecurity issues and expect to file an addendum to their recommendations, once the work is complete.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2019

Tesla, others question storage hourly requirements, charges in FERC Order 841 compliance plans

As the comment period on FERC Order 841 compliance fillings closed, various utilities and regulators also asked to play larger roles on storage interconnection requirements.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2019

Winning in a more distributed energy world: 3 steps to utility success

The utility of the future will deliver retail products and services instead of generation, but getting to the future will require engaging now-reluctant customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2019