California has a 100% clean energy goal, but not the laws to get it there, critics say

Legislators went big on renewable energy and utility wildfire protections, but went home before kickstarting clean energy procurement or expanding the CAISO market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2018

Developers see value in California offshore wind development

Following market growth and big contract price drops along the East Coast, offshore wind developers are taking on floating foundations and the Navy on the West Coast. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 10, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Pepco unveils $15M transportation electrification program for DC

Electric vehicle growth has been uneven in the District of Columbia, where two-thirds of residents are renters and have limited access to charging infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2018

California ISO board approves measures to propel energy storage, DERs

CAISO's Board of Directors approved changes to how behind-the-meter energy storage resources participate in the ISO and measures to facilitate the use of demand response resources in the wholesale market.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2018

Sonnen aims to unify all aspects of the smart home

Through its new smart energy management system, Sonnen will unite home automation, residential solar and energy storage with intelligent load control.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

Cyberthreats require strengthened standards, increased government collaboration

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan and former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson wrote about the importance of establishing cybersecurity compliance standards at the distribution level.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Robert F. Powelson • Sept. 4, 2018

Get ready for sticker shock on California's last-minute clean energy proposals

The state's well-intentioned ideas aiming to advance renewable energy would unfortunately commit Californians to resource decisions for the next 10 years and limit investment in lower-cost technologies.

By Barry Moline • Aug. 31, 2018

As Kentucky regulators reject smart meter plans, troubling trend continues for AMI

Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric "failed to provide sufficient evidence" that smart meters would benefit customers, regulators ruled last week.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Report: Utilities tab for Hurricane Harvey recovery, hardening tops $500M

As the frequency of natural disasters seems to rise, so does the cost utilities pay to repair their systems.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2018

Exclusive: Ohio PUC details utility reform roadmap in PowerForward initiative

The plan, a product of a year-long business model investigation, aims to create a level playing field for innovation on the utility distribution system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 29, 2018

FERC says SCE can't treat storage customers differently in service

Southern California Edison sought authority to curtail electricity service to storage customers first during times of peak demand, but FERC said that would be "unduly discriminatory."

By Gavin Bade , Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

California passes bill to coordinate EV charger planning

The bill would grant authority to the California Energy Commission to assess charging infrastructure build-out in an attempt to meet the state's ambitious EV goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 28, 2018

MISO previews storage changes, enacts five-minute energy market settlements

The Midcontinent ISO last week announced it implemented five-minute settlements across its energy market while also establishing details of how storage assets will be able to participate in trading.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

Rhode Island approves National Grid modernization plan, rate increase

While gas and low income electric customers will see rate decreases, average residential power customers will see a 3.5% increase.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

TVA to raise rates, will consider closing older coal plants

The Tennessee Valley Authority will consider closing down two older coal plants totaling more than 2 GW of capacity.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2018

HECO warns of extended outages as Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lane

Experts are concerned the slow-moving storm could disrupt fuel deliveries or petroleum refining in the state, which relies on oil for much of its electricity generation.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 24, 2018

Pennsylvania regulators seek alternative ratemaking proposals from utilities

The Public Utilities Commission is accepting comments on its proposed alternative rate design policy and consumers are already raising concerns about potential rate increases.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2018

Interactive: Wind turbines are getting more powerful as 'specific power' declines

The new 2017 Wind Technologies Market Report, prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and released by the U.S. Department of Energy, shows a trend in turbines that do better in lower wind speeds.

By Ryan Wiser, Mark Bolinger, Ben Hoen and Bentham Paulos • Aug. 23, 2018

PNM looks to join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

Public Service. Co. of New Mexico would be the ninth member of the voluntary imbalance market, which allows Western utilities to trade power over a larger footprint. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2018

Pennsylvania industrial energy users say follow Minnesota on rate design

As Pennsylvania considers sweeping changes to utility distribution rate structures, some of the state's largest customers are calling for regulators to move cautiously and utilize tools other states have developed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

California legislators smooth closure path for state's last nuclear plant

The state assembly approved legislation that clears the way for closure of Diablo Canyon, providing $350 million for an employee retention fund and $85 million to make up for lost property taxes, among other provisions.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2018

Does your utility have a survival strategy?

Faced with a changing competitive landscape and an uncertain regulatory environment, utility organizations are increasingly employing new cloud and digital strategies to ensure not only success, but survival.

By Michael O’Donnell • Aug. 22, 2018

Generators, electric utilities spar over pipeline funding in FERC fuel security docket

Rebuffed by state decisions, utilities want FERC to allow them to charge electricity customers for new pipeline development. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 20, 2018