Report: Minnesota efficiency program returns $4 for every $1 invested

The Minnesota Commerce Department reports that a successful energy efficiency program has helped create almost $6 billion in new economic output.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Michigan lawmakers add 30% renewables 'goal' to energy legislation

Democratic lawmakers in Michigan's House have won amendments to energy legislation that would set a renewables goal for large utilities and maintain the 10% cap on electric choice. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Report: Texas demand response issues mirrors FERC 745 debate

Developing a demand response market in Texas, the nation's only organized market without FERC regulation, is complicated, mirroring nationwide debates on a smaller scale. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

Utilities pour money into startup Bidgely for home energy management

Exelon Corp. was one of three major utilities investing in the data analytics company to expand Bidgley's home energy management suite in the United States and Europe.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

The Value of Less: Quantifying the benefit of peak demand savings

Depending on where you live, every dollar spent on demand response could save up to $4, according to a new Advanced Energy Economy report. So what needs to happen in order to expand demand response's penetration?

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

How the legal battle over demand response could hinder California's climate goals

Observers say demand response could be key to California's bid to reach 50% renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

On-bill financing a popular option for Midwest utilities' efficiency upgrades

New methods of financing home efficiency upgrades could allow access to a wider range of consumers, including renters, those looking to sell their home and low-income households.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2015

Pew report: Industrial energy efficiency to grow 22% by 2030

A new report focused on industrial efficiency finds strong potential in combined heat and power systems, but concludes maximizing their potential will require extensions of key tax credits. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2015

Diary of a Grid Defector: My toes are cold and other home efficiency revelations from a tiny cabin in the woods

An engineering firm in Ithaca, N.Y. is developing a home energy efficiency rating, which could become mandatory for the area's real estate market. My tiny cabin would never sell.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2015

No news is good news: Opower results show behavioral DR can be a reliable resource

As the software company expands its load management offerings to more than a million customers, it is dialing in behavioral demand response to eventually compete in wholesale markets.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Comments on NY REV's Track 2 are in — and the utility sector has mixed feelings

As New York revamps the state's utility industry, there lies a simple question at the heart of the process: How will utilities make money in the future?

By Robert Walton and Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

California's new demand response future begins

The state's new Demand Response Auction Mechanism could bring a vast array of resources into the power management fold.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

Massachusetts, California, Vermont retain lead in ACEEE energy efficiency rankings

Efficiency measures are increasing nationwide, an annual report found, but Nevada, Wisconsin and Louisiana are among those falling behind the curve. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2015

Missouri regulators reject Ameren efficiency plan

Regulators determined that Ameren's efficiency proposal failed to meet requirements that would ensure all ratepayers would benefit from the program. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

Stem, HECO partner on 1 MW battery storage pilot in Hawaii

Installations will be aimed at cutting commercial-industrial scale customers’ peak demand charges and providing grid support services.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

Charts: Depending what you measure, the most efficient states aren't always the cheapest

Personal finance web site WalletHub has ranked states based on their energy efficiency, revealing Southern states to be the least efficient and those with colder climates the most.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

Report pushes Texas utilities to partner with retail providers on efficiency

A CenterPoint Energy efficiency program administered by retail providers was so effective that an efficiency collective funded by the state's utilities is suggesting power companies partner with them more frequently.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

New Jersey aims to boost efficiency investments with EDF pilot program

The state is looking to reassure investors that energy efficiency projects have stable returns.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

While VC funding grows for smart grid and efficiency, energy storage falls

Overall funding for storage is down, but the good news is nearly all of the VC funding from Q3 2015 happened in the U.S.

By Davide Savenije • Oct. 20, 2015

NRDC: US has reached 'historic levels' of renewables, poised for greater gains

The United States has reached a new energy era, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

Tennessee leads multi-state project to create national efficiency registry

Tennessee is leading a multi-state effort to create a national registry of energy efficiency, which could standardize some metrics and help projects comply with Clean Power Plan mandates.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2015

Pilot project lets homes bid into the CAISO market

A new demand response pilot being run by Schneider Electric and OhmConnect will offer customers an integrated suite of energy devices, and will allow homes to participate in the California ISO market.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2015

Updated: Supreme Court hears arguments over FERC demand response rule

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguements to consider whether demand response is a wholesale or retail market, and if federal regulators overstepped jurisdiction in mandating compensation for lowered energy use.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

National Grid demand response pilot nets participants 20% energy savings

A demand response pilot in Massachusetts showed a small group of customers could cut their power usage by 20% during peak events.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2015