Efficiency gains will moderate price increases under Clean Power Plan

How much consumer prices rise or fall as carbon is cut largely depends on where they are.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2015

Storage update: Inside the sector's hot Q1 and what's next for utilities & suppliers

Storage capacity is on track to triple this year, grow 13 times over by 2019, GTM Research predicts.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 11, 2015

Stanford study outlines path for all 50 states to be 100% renewable by 2050

Reserchers quantified each state’s resources and how they can be grid integrated.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2015

Demand management spending stalls: What does it mean?

Demand-side management spending was flat between 2012 and 2013, but observers say it likely indicates a more mature market rather than a move away from energy efficiency.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2015

EEI 2015: Why Elon Musk thinks the future is bright for utilities

The Tesla CEO courted the industry at the Edison Electric Institute's annual convention, while Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz spoke about the need for a modern grid.

By Gavin Bade • June 9, 2015

Conservation efforts reduce risk to ERCOT grid

The Texas grid operator last week asked businesses and residents in its Lower Rio Grande Valley region to conserve power because of unplanned generation outages.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2015

In Maine, missing conjunction leads to legislative dysfunction

Maine lawmakers are struggling to fix a $38 million clerical error created when the state's 2013 energy legislation was signed into law with a missing word -- "and."

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2015

SDG&E forming coalition to back proposal for 550 car charging stations

The necessary stakeholders, including automakers and environmentalists, are becoming aligned for the utility's big EV charging rollout.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

Alaska co-op to install hybrid storage for renewables integration

Chugach Electric Association is working with Beacon Power to develop a hybrid flywheel and battery energy storage project.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Advanced Microgrid Solutions taps Tesla in huge battery buy for CA grid

AMS plans to install up to 500 MWh of Tesla batteries for energy storage projects with California utilities. 

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Arkansas utilities exceeding energy efficiency goals

Last year the  American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy named Arkansas among the most improved states in the nation for energy efficiency.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

ComEd-Nest-Xfinity demand response program paves way for new utility business models

Commonwealth Edison's summer load control is relatively small, but it might show where many utilities are going in the future.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

New York funds 7 energy storage projects for REV initiative

New York continues to transform its utility industry through its Reforming the Energy Vision intiaitive.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

How Opower is pushing behavioral demand response into the mainstream

More than 1.5 million customers will use Opower's platform this summer, and some utilities are engaging it with time-sensitive rates to see better load reductions.

By Robert Walton • May 27, 2015

Report: Demand response could have saved Texas $200 million from 2012-2013

New analysis shows Texas consumers could have saved hundreds of millions by modestly curbing energy use on a few key days.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2015

CPUC approves contentious new 500 MW gas plant for SDG&E

Critics say the utility can get the same generation from renewables and energy efficiency.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 26, 2015

Inside the surprising lessons from PECO's time-of-use rate pilot

Though small in size, the TOU pilot busts some common myths about variable pricing, the utility and its partners say.

By Gavin Bade • May 22, 2015

Democratic US rep. files bill to extend solar ITC for 5 years

The measure elicited support from the Solar Energy Industries Association, which predicted it would boost the economy and help maintain electric reliability.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2015

Study: Efficiency can drive down costs of Clean Power Plan compliance

A new report examining Clean Power Plan costs finds that many estimates don't plan for efficiency improvements, which could be significant cost savers.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2015

The future of global demand response markets, explained

A new report from Navigant finds demand response spending is poised to grow to $1.3 billion annually by 2024, spurred by an array of policies and needs, and enabled by technologies allowing faster response to changing market conditions.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2015

How utilities can reverse declining customer satisfaction and still make money

“Ultimately, what separates the best from the worst, so to speak, really comes down power reliability."

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2015

What a 50% renewables mandate means for California

A new report says billions of dollars in clean energy development could be unlocked, but it will mean big changes for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2015

Wright-Hennepin: A case study in utility transformation

Solar is helping the small co-op survive amist competition from large IOUs and flat load growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2015

Vermont bill for 55% renewables mandate by 2017 passes initial senate vote

Controversial changes to the legislation are still expected, including a possible deadline delay.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2015

PG&E inks $90M contract with Opower

The signing of Pacific Gas & Electric marks Opower's largest contract to date.

By Robert Walton • May 14, 2015