PJM price formation proposal would dramatically change how prices are set in the RTO

A proposal from the grid operator to incentivize "inflexible" generation could fit squarely within the Trump administration's efforts to save baseload generation in power markets.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2017

Almost all ComEd customers would have saved money last year with real-time pricing, study finds

Data from more than 300,000 smart meters installed in Illinois showed customers would see cost savings with such pricing, even without changing their energy use.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2017

Diverse stakeholders sign Transportation Electrification Accord

The agreement offers principles and guidelines for moving forward with electric vehicles and necessary infrastructure.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2017

California moves to double efficiency savings in electric, natural gas uses

The 2015 law driving the increase also called for a 50% rise in energy efficiency for existing buildings by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017

How much energy do those programs save? New tool aims to track and boost efficiency

The National Energy Efficiency Registry will collect data with an eye towards improving measurement and verification of savings, ultimately boosting investments in reducing demand.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2017

Utility customer experience survey reveals lower cost-to-serve equals higher satisfaction

The survey — conducted by GTM Research and EnergySavvy — also found that utilities are changing how they evaluate customer satisfaction. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2017

Midcontinent ISO prepared for winter with 142 GW of projected supply

In an extreme case, where both supply and demand are stretched, the grid operator says it can rely on behind-the-meter and demand-response resources to meet demand.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2017

NEXTracker gets A+ from customers on hurricane Irma report card

As a result of robust system design, advanced monitoring and control capabilities, and diligent on-the-ground service team, the 33 NEXTracker projects in the path of Hurricane Irma came through the storm with flying colors.

Nov. 7, 2017

ISO New England predicts declining loads due to solar, efficiency

In its biennial Regional System Plan, the grid operator sees total electric energy use declining 0.6% annually and summer peak declining 0.1% annually through 2026 under normal weather conditions. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

House GOP tax package boosts nukes, slashes wind, EV credits

The long awaited tax package includes an estimated $6 billion credit for nuclear power but would cut the wind PTC and end incentives for electric vehicles.  

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017

California regulators direct utilities to hold a 2018 DRAM auction

The state's three large utilities will hold another auction for demand response resources next year for deliveries in 2019.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2017

New York Green Bank seeks $1B in private sector investment for clean energy projects

The bank also plans to start working with other states to help them establish similar funding entities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2017

New Hampshire House committee votes to end RGGI-funded efficiency investments

A similar measure failed to advance in 2015. The new version, House Bill 592, initially would have ended the state's involvement in the regional cap-and-trade system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2017

Technology, markets and contracts — oh my! The keys to profiting from California's duck curve

California policymakers look to address renewables over-generation through smart investments in supply- and demand-side resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2017

Uptown Funk: Where will NYC get its peak demand capacity?

Few new peak providers have come online for the city because short-term market rules don’t offer investors the certainty they need.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2017

Demand response's demise in PJM has been greatly exaggerated, report argues

Despite new capacity performance rules, CPower argues "real demand response" remains strong and new opportunities may emerge in energy markets. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Forward capacity: New revenue source for energy efficiency projects

In PJM, energy efficiency projects can generate substantial revenue streams when offered on the forward capacity market as a capacity resource — with proper measurement and verification.

Oct. 25, 2017

Hydro-Quebec, DOE to explore collaboration on storage, EVs

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Canadian utility may partner to accelerate development of next-generation battery materials, processes and methodologies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Storage, smart grid and energy efficiency companies see jump in VC funding: Mercom Capital

The technologies are on track to beat the $1.3 billion secured in 2016 after a 35% year-over-year increase in funds raised through the first nine months of 2017.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2017

Greening the ramp: California looks to carbon-free resources to combat the 'duck curve'

A new law directs utilities to plan non-emitting resources to serve peak demand, sparking new debates about resource adequacy and the future of gas generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2017

Report: Less than 1/3 of utility customers enroll in energy management programs

A survey by the Association for Energy Services Professionals finds relatively low participation rates — but with solid growth expected.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2017

Utilities dispatched 10.7 GW of demand response in 2016, SEPA-Navigant report says

The demand response dispatch included 78% of enrolled capacity, according to the report. The greatest flexibility comes from water heaters.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2017

Energy efficiency as a resource: The power of getting more from less

AEE’s Ryan Katofsky explores traditional and “pay for performance” approaches to getting the biggest bang for the energy-saving buck. 

By Ryan Katofsky • Oct. 18, 2017

Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging

Utilities are offering new community solar customer segments with no upfront costs and combining it with demand response and storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 16, 2017

California Gov. Brown signs bill directing utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

The new law, SB 338, requires utilities to develop carbon-free alternatives to gas generation for meeting peak demand in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 12, 2017