VC funding for storage, smart grid and efficiency companies almost doubled last year: Mercom

Companies raised a combined $2.8 billion across the three areas in 2018, compared to $1.5 billion raised in 2017, driven by a steep rise in energy efficiency interest.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators direct higher plant payments amid capacity crunch concerns

Changes to the state's market rules will make prices respond more quickly during times of grid stress, boosting payments to resources that can provide emergency power. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2019

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

Pepco electrification plan anti-competitive, DC ratepayer advocate argues

The Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia says the utility's proposal would be "detrimental to the competitive [electric vehicle] market" while also arguing the utility failed to justify why ratepayers should foot the bill.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2019

Colorado Gov Polis' first executive order advances transportation electrification

The benefits of vehicle electrification will only increase as the state moves toward establishing a 100% renewable energy mandate, Polis said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 18, 2019

Virginia rejects majority of Dominion's $6B grid modernization plan, smart meter rollout

The State Corporation Commission deemed the proposal as too expensive, approving only $154.5 million of the first phase — originally projected to cost $1.5 billion.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2019

PGE demand response pilot offers $1/kWh incentive, targets 10X customer participation rate

Portland General Electric proposed the residential demand response program as part of its Smart Grid Test Bed project, which will also test opt-in approaches to direct load control programs offered with different rates.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 16, 2019

Maryland scales back EV charger program nearly 80%

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved the deployment of 5,000 EV chargers, a significant drop from the 24,000 envisioned in the original proposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 16, 2019

Utilities see opportunity in Energy as a Service offerings

Innovative ways to finance energy efficiency could help smooth the way for new rate structures and cleaner energy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 16, 2019

Lowering bills for low-income households with community solar: Partnering on regs, tech

A Minnesota-based non-profit applied its expertise to help shepherd an Energy Assistance provider's 100-kW project in southeast Vermont.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 15, 2019

Oregon 10-year plan aims to reduce energy burden, improve efficiency

The plan focuses on low-income residents, particularly in rural areas, and includes more than $113 million in annual energy cost savings through projects across the state.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2019

2019 Power Sector Outlook: Top trends to watch

We talked to utilities, analysts and technology providers on what to expect in the year ahead for storage, solar, demand-side management and more.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 15, 2019

New Flyer wants to help cities, agencies transition to electric bus fleets

The bus manufacturer created a new business unit to offer project management and infrastructure guidance on transitioning to zero-emissions transit fleets.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 14, 2019

The Keystone State may have found the key to the next wave of transportation electrification

Pennsylvania's combination of guiding principles, legislation and collaboration among a broad array of stakeholders may show how to move the EV market into its next phase of development.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 11, 2019

PUC order keeps Minnesota ahead of the curve on performance-based rates

The order, the culmination of a process that began in September 2017, establishes procedures and goals for developing metrics for performance-based rates by the fall.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2019

2019 Demand Response Outlook: The rise of distributed resources

As electric vehicles, batteries and other distributed resources are added to the grid, analysts predict utilities will increasingly take advantage of that supply to balance load.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2019

Shenzhen, China touts nearly all-electric taxi fleet

More than 21,000 of the city’s taxis are battery-powered, with another 1,350 waiting to be put into operation once they are charged.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 9, 2019

Boston transit authority adds to electric bus fleet

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority intends to add nearly 200 New Flyer hybrid buses to replace its aging fleet.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 9, 2019

Pennsylvania commits to 26% GHG reductions amid federal inaction, US emissions increase

Gov. Tom Wolf also pledged that state agencies would reduce overall energy consumption 21% by 2025, relative to 2017 levels.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2019

Getting to 100% zero emissions in California: Beyond CAISO's eight-solution menu

The state's IOUs are on track for 50% renewables by 2020, but questions remain on how to reach the 100% clean energy goal by 2045.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 3, 2019

Unlocking next-level consumer engagement and energy savings with the latest smart technology

Offering a central home energy platform with device control and interoperability will expand the engagement trend and deliver even better efficiency results, writes Google's global director of energy and enterprise partnerships.

By Jeff Hamel • Jan. 2, 2019

10 trends shaping the electric power sector in 2019

From coal bailouts to batteries and wind and solar growth, here are the issues that will define the year to come.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 2, 2019

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Our top stories of the year illustrate the decline of coal-fired generation and the numerous policy surprises that came out of the federal government this year.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2018

As grid mod accelerates and regulators push back, Duke and others retool proposals

Within this whirlwind of activity, some utilities are responding well and some are struggling to meet pressure from regulators and stakeholders to justify spending proposals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2018

California's energy efficiency path: Rebates, third party programs, market transformation

The state is revamping its energy efficiency portfolio, but what’s really exciting are the opportunities for the next generation of programs, Navigant's Kristin Landry writes.

By Kristin Landry • Dec. 19, 2018

Regional initiative to reduce transportation emissions would mirror RGGI

Nine Northeast and Midatlantic states, as well as the District of Columbia, have agreed to design a policy process to implement emissions caps in one year, which could help incentivize electric vehicle adoption.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2018