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

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

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

Congressional Democrats push FERC to act on aggregated DERs

Seventeen House members and 18 Senators urged FERC to issue a decision "as soon as possible" that "enables all [distributed energy resources] the opportunity to participate in … wholesale markets."

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 11, 2019

Iowa proposes rules for commercial, public EV chargers

The Iowa Utilities Board's proposal would set guidelines for electric vehicle charging at public facilities, with the aim of removing the stations from the definition of "public utility" under state law.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2019

Want better grid mod proceedings? Exelon official says involve stakeholders earlier

To reduce tension between power companies and other stakeholders, the grid mod process could include more opportunities for public input, the company's director of utility initiatives told a crowd of state energy regulators.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 7, 2019

Propelling clean energy innovation forward: What does the industry need from regulators?

As utilities, corporations and states accelerate their goals, new technology will be necessary to support the clean energy transition, and the government's role in R&D and market incentives will be vital, a new report says.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 7, 2019

Despite failures, ConEd targets more energy savings from non-wires pioneer BQDM

Though difficulties arose with demand response and commercial refrigeration, Con Edison projects 55 MW of peak load reduction for its Brooklyn-Queens Demand Management Program by summer 2022.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 6, 2019

EEI presses FERC for faster, streamlined PURPA review

Reforming the 1978 law is a top priority for utility trade group Edison Electric Institute, according to their head of regulatory affairs.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 6, 2019

Puerto Rico proposes largest solar, storage buildout in US with 20-year draft resource plan

Adding over 2,220 MW of solar and 1,080 MW of battery storage over the next two decades, PREPA would also phase out its use of coal and bunker oil, expensive energy fuels the island imports.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 6, 2019

Moving beyond business as usual to a resilient power system for California

PG&E's bankruptcy provides an opportunity for new legislation that would shift our energy system to one that doesn't rely on remote power generation requiring thousands of miles of expensive, inefficient and dangerous transmission lines.

By John Sarter • Feb. 4, 2019

Deloitte: Nation states, organized crime and angry employees threaten utility cybersecurity

The electric utility sector faces growing threat of cyber attacks as technology and a more distributed grid increase access points, according to a new report.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2019

Shell buys charging company Greenlots as oil majors prep for rise of EVs

With the number of EVs on U.S. roads expected to reach 7 million by 2025, the deal could signal a wave of coming investment by large oil and gas companies to diversify, say electrification experts.​​

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2019

As solar-plus-storage surges, can smart devices help overcome deployment barriers?

As utilities move to reap the benefits of solar-plus-storage, manufacturing and interconnection barriers threaten to impede growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2019

Vermont regulators advance first of 3 Green Mountain Power solar-plus-storage projects

The utility seeks to use these projects to lower regional system costs and forward capacity market costs in the ISO-New England region.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 29, 2019

Tendril grows its load monitoring operations to help shift peak demand

With its latest acquisition of nonintrusive load monitoring technology to process data from advanced metering infrastructure, the company wants to help utilities flatten their loads without help from their customers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 24, 2019

DistribuTECH: Next-gen smart meter takes grid intelligence to new dimensions

Efforts to implement efficient billing has pushed smart meter innovations over the last couple of years. What will the next wave of smart meters bring the industry?

Jan. 24, 2019

Minnesota study finds it cheaper to curtail solar than to add storage

A report studies Minnesota's options for 70% renewable penetration and finds surprising results regarding energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2019

Pepco electrification plan anti-competitive, DC ratepayer advocate argues

The Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia says the utility's proposal would be "detrimental to the competitive [electric vehicle] market" while also arguing the utility failed to justify why ratepayers should foot the bill.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2019

Navigating utility business model reform: A practical guide

Rocky Mountain Institute, America's Power Plan and Advanced Energy Economy Institute provide a guide to modernizing the electric utility business model. 

By Dan Cross-Call, Cara Goldenberg and Mike O’Boyle • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators defer to legislature on utility ownership of energy storage

The state's market for energy storage is in limbo since regulators dismissed a request by AEP Texas last year to install two battery storage projects.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 18, 2019

Colorado Gov Polis' first executive order advances transportation electrification

The benefits of vehicle electrification will only increase as the state moves toward establishing a 100% renewable energy mandate, Polis said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 18, 2019

PGE demand response pilot offers $1/kWh incentive, targets 10X customer participation rate

Portland General Electric proposed the residential demand response program as part of its Smart Grid Test Bed project, which will also test opt-in approaches to direct load control programs offered with different rates.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 16, 2019