Pig-powered microgrid in North Carolina may be the future of rural cooperative supply

The Butler pig farm includes a range of clean energy technologies, and the state's cooperatives see its grid integration efforts efforts as a replicable model.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2018

Solar has transformed into solar-plus-storage: What will net metering become?

Two prominent policy actions that could drive a more innovative use of solar-plus-storage are time-of-use rates and three-part rates with demand charges.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 7, 2018

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

As California energy markets modernize, regulators worry about repeating the past

A new report from staff of the California Public Utilities Commission concludes the state could drift back into another power crisis without careful planning as markets and technologies evolve.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

Pennsylavania opens 'future of utility rates' proceeding

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission issued a proposed policy statement calling for utilities to explore alternative ratemaking methodologies. 

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

[Podcast] Where's the energy cloud going?

Welcome to Beyond the Electron: The Energy Cloud podcast series. 

By Utility Dive's studioID • Updated Feb. 12, 2020

ISO New England hits milestone: More grid power used at night than midday

Officials say this is a first but had been expected, due to the proliferation of distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2018

New York ISO: Distributed solar largely to blame for declining load

New York's grid is aging needs an upgrade, but it's also undergoing rapid transition, due to a mix of policy and emerging technologies.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2018

How can US utilities be ready when everything changes?

EY has modeled three critical tipping points for utilities on the way to a new energy system. In Europe and Oceania they're staggered, but in the U.S., they'll arrive in much quicker succession, Dana Hanson writes.

By Dana Hanson • May 4, 2018

Solar at the crossroads: Is utility-scale, distributed or both the way to go?

Sunrun says solar's future is on rooftops, but solar advocates and utilities say an advanced power system with utility-scale and distributed energy resources is a better bet.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2018

100-Hour storage? DOE launches $30M program to explore new technologies

The program is designed to address the needs of intermittent generation sources, such as wind and solar, by enabling a new set of applications that can provide long lasting backup power.  

By Peter Maloney • May 1, 2018

Lithium-ion domination could block promising storage technologies, MIT finds

Li-ion batteries are good for transportation applications, less so for the grid. But their dominance is making it difficult for producers of alternative storage technologies to survive, much less innovate and scale up.

By Peter Maloney • May 1, 2018

Utilities, oil interests clash over EV policy at conservative policy summit

The battle at the American Legislative Exchange Council shows how utility interests are diverging from those of the oil and gas sector in an era of growing renewable energy and electric vehicles. 

By Gavin Bade • April 30, 2018

Illinois energy law revives renewables while aiding nuclear

The Future Energy Jobs Act is also expanding energy efficiency in the state, but the nuclear subsidies are being challenged in court.

By Peter Maloney • April 30, 2018

New York to launch utility energy registry this summer in data-gathering effort

The online portal will offer public access to customer-load data for the major utilities.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2018

PJM generators, DR providers clash over seasonal resources at FERC

Demand response providers say rules barring seasonal resources from capacity contracts are little more than an effort to boost market revenues for generators.

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2018

Hawaii Gov. Ige signs law mandating performance-based utility regulation

The law goes further than other performance-based efforts, directing the PUC to "break the direct link" between utility revenues and capital investments.

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2018

New York regulators to mull advancing EV market with new proceeding

The move responds to demands from dozens of stakeholder groups to accelerate the state's efforts with electric vehicle adoption. 

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2018

Pacific Power analysis shows storage pilot projects currently uneconomic

Based on its projections, the utility estimates that energy storage has the potential to become cost effective in 2029.

By Peter Maloney • April 24, 2018

Hawaii launches performance-based rate proceeding to drive renewables

The state has a goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2045. The Public Utilities Commission's new effort is meant to support that transition.  

By Peter Maloney • April 20, 2018

Nevada's retail choice battle will greatly impact solar, everyone agrees. But for better or worse?

Nevadans will vote in November on whether to amend the state's constitution to minimize regulations, eliminate legal monopolies and create retail choice in its energy market.  

By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2018

Short term pain for long term gain: EPRI assesses expanding US electrification

An electric vehicle may cost more than a gasoline-powered car today, but experts expect consumers to see past that hurdle to the lower operating costs.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2018

Line fault again plunges Puerto Rico into blackout

While nearly all the island's generation is back online after Hurricane Maria, the grid that supports it remains fragile and PREPA lacks sufficient reserves to resist minor disruptions. 

By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2018

New Hampshire governor's energy plan leans on nuclear, gas

The new plan by Gov. Sununu aims to diminish the cost impacts of renewable energy procurement by neighboring states, assuming those contracts will be above market rates.

By Peter Maloney • April 18, 2018

Missouri utilities question data collection recommendations in DER report

The report by Public Service Commission staff wants regulators to direct utilities to collect detailed information about distributed energy resources and their impacts to the grid — but utilities have some concerns. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2018

State-federal concerns could dim FERC's landmark storage order

Wider access to a variety of markets has been hailed as the basis for energy storage growth, but jurisdictional issues could thwart an overarching solution.

By Peter Maloney • April 17, 2018