Delaware picks energyOrbit to track the state's energy programs

The company's cloud-based platform will track and report progress on efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

To boost efficiency, survey says utilities must tighten contractor relationships

Between efficiency program design and actual savings, someone has to install the upgrades. There, a new DNV GL survey finds room for stronger utility partnerships.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

Residential storage can undercut benefits of rooftop solar, says new study

A new study in Nature Energy finds storing rooftop solar can increase emissions and energy consumption.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

National Grid launches its first commercial & industrial demand response program

Business customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island can earn credits of up to $35/kWh for peak demand reductions.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

ACEEE: Demand response can save 10% off peak demand — if utilities use it

Utilities long on capacity are "probably less likely to call much of their available demand response resource," the efficiency nonprofit reports.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

DistribuTECH 2017: Why utilities are skeptical about transactive energy

Blockchain-based power trading on the distribution system has captured the imagination of many in the power sector — just not the companies at its center.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2017

FERC lifts restrictions on demand response in organized power markets

The NRDC and New York PSC argued wholesale market rules unreasonably prevented consumers from participating in both wholesale and retail DR programs.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2017

Going local: How CPS Energy harnessed 100 MW of DSM with a smart thermostat program

Local partnerships, social media and a hefty rebate helped CPS rapidly grow customer interest in its residential demand response program.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2017

Looming tax reforms and regulatory changes could challenge utilities' financials

If proposed tax reforms and regulatory changes from the Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration succeed, what will they mean for utilities? 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2017

Honeywell, Whisker Labs introduce home energy management software

Honeywell's Connected Savings demand management platform will be integrated into its portfolio of software and services for utilities.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 6, 2017

Zibelman exit interview: How the New York REV is paving the way for transactive energy

As she prepares to leave her post, New York PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman says the REV docket is well on its way to transforming utility operations.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2017

Shape, shimmy, shed: Renewables are revamping DR's future value in California

Growing flexibility and renewable resources mean simple peak load curtailment will have less value in the future.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2017

Texas co-op group forms partnership with Advanced Microgrid Solutions

AMS will install a 200 kWh storage facility for Texas Electric Cooperatives and provide preferred pricing for its 75 member co-ops. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 27, 2017

Bidgely's demand management platform helps Ontario utility customers achieve 2% energy savings

London Hydro is the first utility in Ontario to deploy a demand management system that leverages the data-sharing initiative Green Button web portal and app. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2017

Comverge inks DR, efficiency contract for commercial customers in Midwest

The company's growth in the commercial segment highlights utility efforts to expand their demand management programs. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2017

Mercom: Smart grid, storage and efficiency firms raised $1.3B in VC funding in 2016

Funding for advanced energy firms appears to be moving toward debt and public market funding, with that figure topping $4.5 billion last year. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 24, 2017

What Australia's DER revolution can teach US utilities about the age of Trump

When federal support for clean energy faltered, states took the lead on the power sector transition. Sound familiar?

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 24, 2017

Trump White House hits pause on Obama efficiency standards

The White House has put a hold on finalizing all new regulations until President Trump's administration has agency leaders in place to approve the actions.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2017

FirstEnergy taps EnerNOC, CPower for C&I demand response programs

Three of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities will offer demand reduction programs to commercial and industrial customers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2017

Third time's the charm? Inside Hawaiian Electric's new, new plan to get to 100% renewables

Stakeholders say the third edition of HECO's Power Supply Improvement Plan is a real improvement, but question its approach to DERs and $26.5 billion price tag.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 18, 2017

Renewables, efficiency dominate robust job growth in energy sector

The solar and wind industries experienced the strongest growth, but the sector faces a number of workforce challenges — including retirements, skills gaps and a lack of diversity.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 17, 2017

As utilities turn to cloud-based DR platforms, cybersecurity is key concern

Industry experts say vetting vendors and testing platforms for security issues are important. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2017

Greens, FirstEnergy nail down settlement on efficiency program

But the state's consumer advocate remains skeptical, saying utilities will be collecting a high profit from shared savings. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2017

Utility regulators nix Hawaiian Electric grid upgrade plan

Regulators gave the utility six months to develop a new strategy that will integrate more renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2017

Pennsylvania's retail choice program tracks growth despite December dip

December’s decline followed a November increase that was the greatest monthly growth in Pennsylvania residential electric shopping since February 2014.  

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 9, 2017