Distributed Energy


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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    In an era of rising rates, policies to strengthen power system flexibility can lower costs

    The right policies can provide grid flexibility, which reduces demand-driven rate spikes and protects consumers while allowing utilities to build out the grid, experts say.

    By Oct. 29, 2025
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    Courtesy of UNFI
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    Wholesale food giant completes largest rooftop solar project to date

    The array atop a United Natural Foods’ California distribution center is expected to meet approximately 80% of the facility's electricity needs. Other grocery companies have also turned to solar energy.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    AI in the Power Sector

    Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

    By Utility Dive staff
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Renewing the case for energy efficiency: a grid resource, customer trust tool and economic engine

    Efficiency and broader demand-side management strategies are powerful tools for grid planning that offer flexibility, speed and cost control, writes ICF’s Justin Mackovyak.

    By Justin Mackovyak • Oct. 24, 2025
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    Courtesy of Google
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    Portland General Electric invests in AI-powered flexibility to speed data center connection

    The utility is working with startup GridCARE to help data centers plug into transmission-constrained grids without waiting for new infrastructure, executives said.

    By Brian Martucci • Oct. 20, 2025
  • Aerial view showing solar panels on the roof of an apartment building.
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    by Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    States sue EPA over canceled Solar for All grants

    In the third lawsuit filed about the grants this month, 22 states and the District of Columbia contend the agency illegally revoked $7 billion in clean energy funds awarded to local governments.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 17, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    VPP Convergence Project aims to educate states on virtual power plants

    Tesla, Sunrun, Leap, Voltus and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners are involved in the effort.

    By Oct. 15, 2025
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    Alamy
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    Opinion

    Why data center operators should pay for residential electrification upgrades

    Upgrading households is the fastest way for hyperscalers to obtain all the electricity they need, writes Ari Matusiak, founder and CEO of Rewiring America.

    By Ari Matusiak • Oct. 10, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Grid planners and experts on why markets keep choosing renewables

    “If natural gas was the cheapest option to meet the peak, the markets would select it,” said Sean Kelly, co-founder and CEO of forecast provider Amperon and a former energy analyst.

    By Oct. 9, 2025
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    Opinion

    Distributed energy resources can accelerate data center interconnection

    Solutions that help local utilities find or create spare grid capacity by harnessing distributed energy resources could help bring more AI compute capacity online faster.

    By Jen Downing • Oct. 6, 2025
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Newsom vetoes energy bills on virtual power plants, load management and interconnection

    Trade and environmental advocacy groups said adopting a virtual power plant deployment plan could have saved Californians $750 million a year. The governor vetoed it, citing financial strains on the state energy commission.

    By Oct. 6, 2025
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    The week in 5 numbers: DOE slashes clean energy funding following coal ‘investment’

    Plus PJM’s data center woes, record storage deployment and new generation additions.

    By Oct. 3, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Utility conferences to watch in 2026

    See our annual list of notable power-sector conferences where industry leaders will share knowledge in a rapidly-changing landscape. 

    By Oct. 1, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Data center demand drives 33% jump in VPP deployments: Wood Mackenzie

    But virtual power plant capacity rose more slowly than deployments last year, highlighting barriers to broader adoption, WoodMac said.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 22, 2025
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Opinion

    The future of virtual power plants is technology agnostic

    Interoperability is crucial for deploying certain consumer technologies efficiently at scale, writes Molly Podolefsky, a managing director at Clarum Advisors.

    By Molly Podolefsky • Sept. 19, 2025
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    Courtesy of Eaton
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    Xendee and Eaton partner to expand microgrid solutions for facility, campus managers

    Eaton took a minority stake in the microgrid optimization platform as part of the deal, which Xendee said would add services and functionality for microgrid designers, developers and end users.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 9, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Prominent groups launch coalition around distributed energy resources

    Common Charge, under the leadership of acting Executive Director Katherine Hamilton, seeks to “drive consumers and policymakers to unlock the full potential of distributed assets."

    By Sept. 3, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The cheapest power plant is in your home

    Households can help prevent blackouts and lower energy bills if we plan smarter and reward people for using power at the right time.

    By Paul Hines • Aug. 25, 2025
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    Managed EV charging could generate $30B in annual savings by 2035: report

    Carefully managing electric vehicle demand could cut all U.S. electric bills by 10% annually, regardless of whether a customer owns an EV, according to new research from ev.energy.

    By Updated Aug. 27, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California’s virtual power plant could save $206M by 2028: Brattle

    Advocates say the taxpayer-funded Demand Side Grid Support program is critical to reducing energy costs and managing the California grid, but it faces an uncertain future.

    By Aug. 20, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Utilities: Don’t lose out on advanced metering infrastructure with a short-term vision

    There is a revolution of grid-connected devices in the making, writes Laura Sherman, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council.

    By Laura Sherman • Aug. 20, 2025
  • Deep Dive

    Multidirectional flows of power and information are the grid’s future

    In the frenzy to meet rising energy demand, utilities and others often overlook the value of power system innovations, industry participants say.

    By Aug. 12, 2025
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    3 Arizona utilities set peak demand records

    After years of stagnant demand growth, rising electricity consumption is showing up on the U.S. power grid.

    By Aug. 12, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Sunrun battery attachment rate hits 70%, up 54% from year ago

    Executives with the largest U.S. home energy systems installer said Sunrun is doubling down on energy storage and grid services to offset the loss of federal tax credits for residential solar arrays.

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 8, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Solutions to the energy talent gap are hiding in plain sight

    To meet clean energy hiring challenges, employers will benefit from working toward a strategic, industrywide vision for attracting talent.

    By Janell Hills-Thomas and Courtney Haynes • Aug. 8, 2025
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Move fast, adapt faster: A distributed generation playbook for turbulent times

    Distributed generation can go from development to construction to operation in months, not years, even under compressed timelines.

    By Goksenin “Goksi” Ozturkeri • Aug. 4, 2025