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

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

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants is shifting to a model that includes distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage and even electric vehicles.

By Utility Dive staff

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

Aggregations and data centers: If a resource shows up when the grid is straining, make it count.

Allow AI data centers to participate in grid stress management, and the capital will flow to the solutions that enable flexible, grid-supportive outcomes.

By Arushi Sharma Frank • July 31, 2025

Data center flexibility can save money but may come with higher emissions: MIT

In Texas, where renewable energy is booming, data center emissions fell by up to 40% in the MIT modeling of flexible data center workloads. In other regions, however, emissions rose.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2025

Reimagining the grid for the 21st century with virtual power plants

Why should we pay for new utility power plants when VPPs can meet our grid’s needs at far less cost?

By Richard Boehnke • July 28, 2025

Data centers seek flexible power solutions for resilience, sustainability

Flexible battery- or generator-based solutions can help data centers power up faster, reduce grid impacts and keep their owners’ sustainability goals within reach, experts say.

By Brian Martucci • July 25, 2025

Microgrid ‘energy parks’ could ease strain from rising power demand, report says

Several such sites are already in the works, including the $1 billion Meitner Project in Texas, which is developing wind, solar and hydrogen resources.

By Diana DiGangi • July 23, 2025

Booming solar and storage are propping up Puerto Rico’s grid this summer

What started as a modest pilot program is now the first virtual power plant of its kind in the region, advocates say.

By Meris Lutz • July 22, 2025

So you’re thinking about buying an electric school bus

From working with a utility to choosing a charger, five insights to improve the decision-making.

By Linda Margison, Ryan Henderson and Linda Stevens • July 16, 2025

Georgia Power’s new IRP keeps coal plants online to serve data centers

The integrated resource plan approved by regulators on Tuesday also calls for up to 4,000 MW of renewable resources by 2035 and more than 1,500 MW of storage.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2025

Minnesota county faces challenge in decarbonizing well-maintained district energy system

Hennepin County “has done too good of a job” maintaining its 15-building steam and chilled water loops, leaving little room for incremental improvements, the project’s engineering consultant said at an industry conference.

By Brian Martucci • July 1, 2025

Electrical manufacturers publish ‘digital substation’ standards

“There are interoperability questions and there's a need for technical guidance for utilities interested in installing these ... self healing grid technologies,” NEMA Senior Vice President Patrick Hughes said.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2025

Behind-the-meter flexibility is the best response to investment uncertainty

Utilities investing in behind-the-meter flexibility are positioning themselves to continue delivering clean, affordable and reliable energy to ratepayers in the long run.

By Molly Podolefsky • June 23, 2025

Unpacking wildfire risk: A new imperative for every utility executive

As climate shifts transform safe regions into tinderboxes, utilities must replace outdated risk assessments with real-time monitoring before disaster strikes.

By Steve Vanderburg, Vice President - Weather & Risk Solutions, Technosylva • June 23, 2025

From backup to backbone: Why utility-led DERs must drive MISO’s resource adequacy plans

Jigar Shah says MISO states can use distributed energy resources to meet key goals: cost stabilization, faster time to power, community development and a reliable, resilient grid.

By Jigar Shah • June 20, 2025

‘Shoulder season’ reliability a growing concern in ERCOT, other ISOs: Aurora Energy Research

Batteries, gas peaker plants and data centers will provide critical system flexibility by 2030 as load growth, aging infrastructure and weather volatility increase planning uncertainty, Aurora said.

By Brian Martucci • June 17, 2025

Unleashing the demand-side revolution: The case for a unified VPP platform

Consumer low-carbon device spending is soaring, but utilities struggle with siloed management. Unified VPPs can unlock flexible capacity for a decarbonized grid.

By Jake Varsano, Senior Manager, Markets and Commercial • June 12, 2025

Using energy-as-a-service to lower costs, add predictability

The model can work on a per-therm basis as much as a per-kilowatt-hour basis for companies that generate a lot of waste heat, says Charlie Lord of Renew Energy Partners.  

By Robert Freedman • June 12, 2025

AI and microgrids: Moving toward seamless, resilient energy solutions

By continuously analyzing current and projected energy production and demand, AI can optimize energy flows to ensure that power is distributed efficiently and at the lowest possible cost.

By Brad Meissner • May 28, 2025

Newsom proposes steep cuts to California grid reliability programs

The changes could undermine progress that's been made to shore up the state’s energy resources during emergencies, advocates say.

By Meris Lutz • Updated May 19, 2025

Why we need to move to self-healing energy systems

Globally, energy infrastructure built for a different era remains too vulnerable to disruption. We need to shift towards self-healing energy systems now — here's how.

By Devrim Celal, Chief Marketing and Flexibility Officer • May 19, 2025

Virginia utility-scale VPP pilot mandate is first amid national push

The new law requires Dominion Energy to propose a virtual power plant pilot to state regulators by December. Similar bills have been introduced in other states.  

By Brian Martucci • May 12, 2025

Puerto Rico’s rooftop solar boom is strengthening grid resilience — why is a federal board trying to stop it?

With thousands of new smart-enabled solar homes joining the grid each month, Puerto Rico is building a distributed, responsive network that can help manage grid fluctuations in real time.

By PJ Wilson • May 1, 2025

Why customer engagement is the key to VPP success

What if one of the most powerful tools for strengthening the grid is already in customers’ garages, basements, driveways and businesses?

By Hannah Bascom • April 30, 2025