EPSA urges Supreme Court not to reconsider FERC Order 745 invalidation

The group of competitive power suppliers said the D.C. Circuit Court ruled correctly when it struck down FERC's jurisdiction over demand response.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2015

Idaho Power tops efficiency, demand response targets

The utility reported a 33% increase in energy savings by customers participating in 2014 efficiency programs and activities.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2015

ComEd backs sweeping Illinois clean energy bill

The utility is supporting a measure that would call for development of six microgrids and broad support for clean energy.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2015

Maine regulators cut efficiency spending from $60M to $22M

Critics say regulators have cut efficiency spending below the state legislature's intent.

By Robert Walton • March 19, 2015

Minnesota lawmakers consider bills on RPS, efficiency, CPP compliance

The state's political climate makes it tough to handicap bills aimed at boosting renewables, efficiency and giving lawmakers more control over Clean Power Plan compliance.

By Robert Walton • March 19, 2015

Going small: Microgrids are good for reliability, but are they good business?

Navigant Research weighs in on the challenges and opportunities for the global microgrid market.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2015

SolarCity moves to 'run the grid' with new microgrid service

The nation's largest solar installer launches a "microgrid-as-a-service" product to enhance reliability.

By Gavin Bade • March 16, 2015

Texas lawmakers introduce bill to unlock demand response market

Demand response currently shaves only about 4% of energy use during peak demand periods in Texas.

By Robert Walton • March 13, 2015

Coming soon to Texas: Demand response growth?

A bill has been introduced that calls for the state's demand response market to be more fully developed.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2015

TVA's plan for future: Less coal, more gas and efficiency

The biggest U.S. public utility filed its 20-year integrated resource plan, which does not call for any new base load generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2015

Los Angeles adopts financing program for home efficiency projects

The program has helped to fund more than 26,500 residential projects, totaling more than $514 million in financing. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

Why it's so hard to monetize the distribution grid

Utilities and regulators must move quickly to set up markets beyond the substation.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2015

PSE&G nears agreement on $95 million efficiency program

The investment would target hospitals, government buildings and multi-family dwellings.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2015

Where the grid edge transformation is happening first and why

New analysis from GTM Research look at what factors will push the U.S. utility sector into the future.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

Consumer group: Efficiency is the best way to save on energy in Illinois

Citizens Utility Board has issued a report finding efficiency programs are now the most effective way to cut power bills.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

ERCOT: Texas will have sufficient generation for spring, summer

Under the most extreme circumstances, the grid operator could be forced to schedule power outages.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

All about the REV: How and why New York wants to develop distributed energy markets

Audrey Zibelman's vision: Taking deregulation to its logical conclusion. 

By Davide Savenije • March 3, 2015

Customers reduce use up to 10% in Hawaii behavioral DR pilot

A free mobile app called "Presence" could hold promise for utilities if it proves scalable. 

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2015

Illinois budget crisis sets up controversy over efficiency funds

New Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to pull funds collected for energy efficiency into the state's general fund.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2015

Trivedi on NY's REV order: Why the utility should not be the DSP

New York's REV is innovative, but regulators should not let utilities own and operate the Distributed System Platform (DSP), writes consultant Navneet Trivedi. 

By Navneet Trivedi • March 2, 2015

Coming of age: How utilities are trying to catch up with Uber and Amazon

Opower's new customer care offering help illustrate how the industry is changing and where utilities see opportunity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2015

Why the future of electric vehicles depends on utilities, and vice versa

Utilities can build a new business model with EVs but the private sector and ratepayers will be watching.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2015

Groups urge Supreme Court to take up FERC Order 745 appeal

Consumer and environmental advocates are urging the Supreme Court to take up an appeal of FERC 745.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2015

How ConEd is boosting demand management to save on grid upgrades

With a peak load in excess of 13,000 MW, Consolidated Edison is doing everything it can to stave off billions of dollars in investment.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2015

Elon Musk: Tesla home battery could be in production in 6 months

The announcement was a silver lining to a disappointing earnings call for investors.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2015