Ohio efficiency, renewables mandates may return after last year's freeze

But lawmakers are currently debating the appropriate levels, and some elected officials want to do away with the targets entirely.  

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2015

Assessing the costs and benefits of distributed energy to the grid of the future

The Electric Power Research Institute is working to perfect a method to calculate distribute energy’s costs and benefits for all stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 23, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Renewables account for 70% of generation adds in first 6 months of 2015

18 new wind projects and more than 500 MW of large solar meant renewables outpaced gas additions.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2015

For top utilities, customer satisfaction hinges on empowerment

It's not enough to provide reliable, affordable power anymore. If you want satisfied customers, you've got to provide them with timely, actionable information.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015

New Murkowski bill aims to boost microgrid development for remote communities

The legislation could also help communities in Hawaii and U.S. territories diversify their energy source.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015

With state funding, 83 New York communities planning microgrids

With $100,000 to spend on a feasibility study, several municipalities are still seeking engineering help with proposals to boost reliability.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015

Why utility ownership of rooftop solar should be explored

Lon Huber argues a dogmatic approach to utility ownership conversations papers over real benefits the model offers.

By Lon Huber • July 21, 2015

SC regulators approve final deal between Duke, solar installers

Duke will begin expanding its South Carolina solar portfolio with a 53 MW RFP.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 21, 2015

SunEdison moves into rooftop solar with Vivint acquisition

The move aims to make the vertically integrated developer competitive with installers like SolarCity.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 21, 2015

Inside Hawaii's landmark regulatory proceeding to value distributed resources

Phase 1 of the tumultuous proceeding has brought only 'general disagreement' among stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 21, 2015

The Transportation Grid: How utilities can drive the future of transport

In this guest post, Patty Monahan and Dan Adler lay out a blueprint for utility leadership in electric transportation.

By Patty Monahan and Dan Adler • July 20, 2015

CAISO approves plan to aggregate and market distributed energy resources

The plan, the first in the United States, looks to open market to rooftop solar, energy storage, and electric vehicles.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 20, 2015

NV Energy wrestles with solar boom as state net metering cap looms

A new assessment shows the state's net metering cap could be reached sooner than anticipated. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2015

Second ballot initiative emerges to challenge Florida's solar choice measure

The group behind the new proposal says it supports solar, but would not allow for third party sales.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2015

AMS, SunEdison partner on 50 MW of strategic storage for SCE

The batteries will perform peak shaving and load shifting to relieve distribution system stresses.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 16, 2015

How rate design can save utilities from the solar death spiral

TOU and RT rates can decrease revenue losses from solar, but can also hamper solar adoption.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

San Diego Gas & Electric proposes unique customer-sited energy storage rate

The utility wants regulators to approve discounts for customers who allow the utility to utilize their home batteries for grid services. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

NV Energy partners with Nevada on electric vehicle highway program

The utility and the state will work together to install charging stations on the highway from Las Vegas to Reno.

By Gavin Bade • July 15, 2015

How DOE is remaking itself to help utilities modernize the grid

Now's the time for utilities to take advantage of new partnership and research opportunities, the agency says.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 14, 2015

IPL breaks ground on 20MW storage facility for MISO ancillary services

AES Energy Storage installation will provide MISO with system balancing ancillary services.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 14, 2015

TEP asks regulators to expand rooftop solar offerings, add community solar product

New solar programs would be added to the utility’s rate base and paid for through customer bills, if regulators approve.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2015

Diary of a Grid Defector: How an energy reporter is going off the grid

In the first of a new monthly series, Robert Walton explores what life is like at the edge of the electric system, and how the revolution in distributed energy technologies is changing it.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2015

Duke considers buying into grid emergency services firm

The emergency services company would sell transformers and other transmission equipment to subscribers in the event of grid damage.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2015

CA utilities want distributed generation to count towards renewables mandate

SCE says not including distributed renewables “picks winners and losers,” and will drive up customer costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 10, 2015

Boulder files with regulators to acquire Xcel assets in bid to form municipal utility

The application, filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, focuses only on serving customers in the city and does not seek to take over any generation assets.

By Robert Walton • July 9, 2015