Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

TPO showdown: Duke faces off against greens over NC church's solar array

NC WARN is testing the limits of North Carolina third party ownership law and Duke wants to put a stop to it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

Dealing with stagnant load growth, ISO-New England turns to gas, efficiency and DERs

The region expects to lean heavily on energy efficiency and distributed resources to meet demand across the next decade.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Judge allows SolarCity lawsuit against Arizona utility SRP to move forward

An Arizona federal judge threw out SolarCity's claims for monetary damages and non-monetary relief but ruled that the lawsuit can proceed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

Arizona utility TEP wants to add solar fee, reduce net metering credit

Tucson Electric Power is asking for several changes to its rates as it commits to 30% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

California solar advocates bring wheelbarrows of petitions to net metering fight

Solar advocates push to extend California's retail net energy metering credit as utility regulators consider three proposals from major utilities to add fixed charges and lower credits for solar users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

Duke urges regulators to deny TPO solar bid from green group, church

The utility says the protest act by activist group NC WARN is breaking the law and deserves $1,000 fine every day.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 4, 2015

Florida's solar ballot proposals reortedly causing confusion among voters

Similar names and a wonky topic could contribute to confusion among voters over dueling solar ballot initiatives, according to an Orlando Sentinel columnist. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

New Mexico regulators deny El Paso Electric monthly charge on distributed generation

The ruling to protect DG owners from discriminatory ratemaking practices follows similar decisions in other states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

The day after: How solar can thrive in the post-net metering era

With storage, TOU rates and control tech, solar can boom in the absence of net metering and benefit utilities as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

New Enphase solar-storage product combines monitoring, control in a single device

Enphase Energy is introducing an all-in-one solar storage and control system in December.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2015

Wisconsin Public Service seeks third fixed charge increase in three years

As WPS looks to add another $6 to monthly residential fixed charges, a state court tosses out an earlier fixed charge increase from We Energies saying it discriminates against solar owners.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

Arizona gears up for full cost-benefit solar value proceeding

Can a combination of cost-of-service and value-of-solar studies end the state's distributed generation wars?

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

Massachusetts House seeks 2,400 MW cap on net metering

Legislative leaders say they want to give residential solar some breathing room before they push to pass a comprehensive energy bill next year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2015

FERC: Renewables account for over 60% of new generation in 2015

The latest energy infrastructure report from FERC finds wind up to 5.9% of U.S. generation capacity, while solar passes the 1% mark, even with the rooftop sector not included.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2015

Bipartisan coalition launches Congressional Battery Storage Caucus

The new group in the U.S. Congress aims to educate lawmakers about storage and push legislation to boost the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Comments on NY REV's Track 2 are in — and the utility sector has mixed feelings

As New York revamps the state's utility industry, there lies a simple question at the heart of the process: How will utilities make money in the future?

By Robert Walton and Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

Hawaii PUC chair defends landmark decision to end retail rate net metering

With business disruption expected, solar installers have filed a lawsuit against the regulators and requested an injunction.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2015

California's new demand response future begins

The state's new Demand Response Auction Mechanism could bring a vast array of resources into the power management fold.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

Pennsylvania PUC approves PECO's $274M reliability, microgrid program

The Philadelphia-based utility's proposal includes up to $100 million for a microgrid pilot to enhance grid resiliency. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2015

What comes after net metering: Hawaii's latest postcard from the future

Hawaii regulators offered two new remuneration schemes for rooftop solar in a landmark decision last week, along with new guidance on time of use rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 22, 2015

PG&E files reworked plan to install 7,500 EV chargers over 3 years

After California regulators rejected Pacific Gas & Electric's request to build more than 25,000 electric vehicle charging stations, the utility scaled back its proposal, but opponents say their concerns about the structure of the program remain. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

New TVA study puts solar's value at under retail rate of electricity

Critics say the range of value streams assessed by the utility is too narrow and does not include many grid and environmental benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

NY regulators lift solar net metering caps until REV docket sets DER values

Retail rate remuneration to remain in place until regulators and utilities settle on a more comprehensive value for distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015