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 Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2025

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

Explore the 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

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

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

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

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 Ethan Howland • Oct. 15, 2025

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

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 Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2025

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

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 Meris Lutz • Oct. 6, 2025

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 Meris Lutz • Oct. 3, 2025

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 Meris Lutz • Oct. 1, 2025

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

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

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

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 Meris Lutz • Sept. 3, 2025

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

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 Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 27, 2025

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 Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2025

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

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 Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 12, 2025

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 Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2025

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

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