What happened when NRG Energy disrupted its own business model

The country’s biggest independent power producer is going retail with rooftop solar, EV chargers, and connected consumer products.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

Grid Edge Live 2015: The trends behind the explosion in distributed resources

Billions will go to DERs in the next three years, driven by changing policies and new utility opportunities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Grid Resiliency

Utilities and grid operators are facing increasing threats from climate change as well as cyber and physical attacks, and are deploying a variety of responses to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

New York Gov. Cuomo releases REV roadmap, seeks deep GHG cuts

A new state energy plan would mandate 50% renewables and cut building energy use 23% by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

Report: Few gas line expansions needed to meet Clean Power Plan mandates

Plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants will not drive significant gas pipeline expansions, according to a new report from Advanced Energy Economy.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2015

GTM: US microgrid capacity set to double by 2020

Driven by the falling cost of storage and state subsidies, microgrids are spreading around the country and within five years will incorporate more than 25% renewable power.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2015

How California plans to integrate distributed resources into its ISO market

California’s ISO will be the first to open its market to rooftop PV, batteries and EVs, but there's much to do before the first bids can come in.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2015

NY regulators approve Central Hudson DR program, stall community solar proposal

Critics worried that the community solar program violated REV rules against utilities owning distributed generation, except for in special circumstances.

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2015

After predictions of shortfalls, MISO survey finds sufficient power in place through 2020

A shortfall projected to begin next year has been avoided, in part due to power imports and declining demand.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2015

SolarCity seeks utility partners for grid modernization programs

The biggest U.S. solar installer says it can work with utilities to smooth demand and regulate voltage. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 23, 2015

America's Power Plan: The top 5 trends in the US energy transformation

Sonia Aggarwal, director of strategy at Energy Innovation, outlines the findings of her initiative's energy policy blueprint.

By Sonia Aggarwal • June 22, 2015

Why Tesla won't disrupt utilities

In this guest post, E Source fellow Jay Stein examines the impact of stationary storage technologies on the utility business model.

By Jay Stein • June 22, 2015

Texas, Colorado set model for increased renewables integration under Clean Power Plan

A new report argues the two states show recent reliability concerns from renewables are overblown.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 19, 2015

SPP adds 5,000 MW generation, 9,500 miles of line as federal power agency joins

SPP's expansion into the plains states is expected to add $334 million in stakeholder benefits and over 10% to the grid operator's peak load.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 17, 2015

IHS: Electric vehicle charging infrastructure poised to grow globally

There will be almost 13 million charging stations around the globe by 2020, opening a new load growth opportunity for utilities.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2015

Report: Driven by carbon, reliability rules, energy service companies poised for growth

New analysis from Navigant predicts the U.S. market for energy service companies will reach $11.5 billion by 2024.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

8 utilities partner to stockpile emergency power transformers

The new company, for a fee, allows transmission owners access to emergency equipment in the event of physical attacks, cyber intrusions and environmental disasters.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

Regulators put the brakes on companies seeking to abandon Nevada Power service

State regulators will not allow Switch to switch power providers, but the company will be allowed to reapply in the future.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

How utilities are finding new revenue streams to combat stagnant load growth

Physical assets and customer relationships offer great opportunities outside power generation & delivery.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

NextEra leads pack of bidders for Texas utility Oncor

CenterPoint Energy Inc., Berkshire Hathaway and Hunt Consolidated have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the Texas utility, but Bloomberg reports NextEra may be the frontrunner.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2015

Minnesota utility regulators approve special EV charging rates

Minnesota regulators directed investor-owned utilities to offer special electric vehicle charging rates, saying they expect the popularity of the cars to take off as consumers see the convenience and environmental benefits.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2015

Squirrel knocks out power to 45,000 PG&E customers

Company officials say a squirrel on Monday night got into the El Cerrito substation, doing enough damage to knock out power for more than two hours.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2015

Storage update: Inside the sector's hot Q1 and what's next for utilities & suppliers

Storage capacity is on track to triple this year, grow 13 times over by 2019, GTM Research predicts.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2015

Experts warn of escalating grid security issues after PG&E break-in

After a PG&E substation was vandalized in March, federal law enforcement began investigating and security experts are warning the utility grid is vulnerable in a variety of ways from cyber intrusions to physical break-ins.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2015

Hunt Consolidated in talks to acquire Texas utility Oncor

A real estate investment trust managed by Hunt told the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission it is in talks to acquire the Texas utility.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2015

Maine turns to battery storage to avoid transmission investment

The state was looking at innovative ways to solve a power shortage on its Boothbay peninsula and found a battery solution to be the most cost-effective.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2015