NAESB to develop standardized distribution services contract to facilitate DER aggregation

The work, undertaken at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, will help facilitate the deployment of virtual power plants.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 6, 2024

FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster

Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in a disaster’s wake.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 2, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

2024 US power sector outlook

The U.S. clean energy transition is expected to accelerate in 2024 but faces question around transmission, financing, federal elections and other issues.

By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024

Duke Energy pilot could open door to VPPs at vertically integrated utilities, SELC attorney says

A pilot program set to open this summer will offer incentives for customers to install rooftop solar and storage — and turn control of the batteries over to Duke Energy.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 29, 2024

New solutions emerge to better integrate renewables into the grid, Xcel, Eversource and others say

Requiring the 400+ GW of battery capacity in U.S. interconnection queues to have grid-forming capabilities could enable variable renewables growth “cheaper and faster than adding new transmission,” one expert said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2024

How distribution circuit coverings protect against wildfires

Necessary investments to prevent grid-ignited wildfires are not keeping pace with the rising risk.

Jan. 22, 2024

Enough with disinformation about community solar compensation

Whether for systems on single-family homes and multiunit buildings or in community settings, excessive compensation creates a significant economic burden for the very customers who can least afford it.

By Michael Backstrom • Jan. 18, 2024

DOE offers $30M to improve cybersecurity for virtual power plants, distributed resources, cloud solutions

The funds will help ensure “the next-generation clean energy infrastructure is built with cybersecurity in mind,” said Puesh Kumar, head of DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2024

SRP’s residential rooftop solar program violates PURPA, Vote Solar tells FERC

Federal regulators should launch an enforcement action over Salt River Project’s allegedly discriminatory solar rates, according to Vote Solar and two SRP customers.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2024

9 US power sector trends to watch in 2024

The U.S. march toward a decarbonized electric system will continue in 2024 as policymakers and others work to balance, climate, reliability, affordability and other goals.

By Robert Walton, Ethan Howland, Diana DiGangi, Larry Pearl, Kavya Balaraman and Emma Penrod • Jan. 10, 2024

California rooftop solar had a tough year following NEM 3.0. Can the industry bounce back?

NEM 3.0 and broader economic headwinds pose challenges to the industry. But looking ahead, high retail electricity rates could still push customers to install rooftop solar.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 2, 2024

Microgrids can drive resiliency, efficiency and profitability: JLL

As climate change risks and energy use accelerate, these systems can advance sustainability and electrification efforts, a recent report says.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 19, 2023

NYC removes zoning restrictions for rooftop solar, energy storage and electrification equipment

The "City of Yes" initiative, which took effect Dec. 11, is expected to help facilitate environmentally friendly retrofits for over 50,000 buildings.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 12, 2023

Hawaii, 3 other states earn B microgrid grades. Most get Ds, per scorecard report.

With distributed resources flourishing, “there's a huge risk that we're leaving a lot of value on the table” by failing to coordinate them with microgrids, said Cameron Brooks, Think Microgrid executive director.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 6, 2023

Eversource wary about attracting investor capital as Connecticut moves to forefront of PBR trend

Connecticut utilities’ credit and financials will remain stable or improve when performance-based regulation is fully implemented, just as they did for Hawaiian Electric, said the state’s chief utility regulator.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 5, 2023

How to empower multiple utility teams with one DERMS

Learn three things to look for in a DERMS to deliver value across utility teams and objectives.

Dec. 4, 2023

Colorado regulators want to move quickly on Xcel virtual power plant

The utility, however, has cautioned that a proposed timeline may be too aggressive for the complicated project.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 22, 2023

7 lessons for Rocky Mountain Power and its partners from virtual power plant pioneer Soleil Lofts

The apartment complex in Herriman, Utah — a collaboration among Rocky Mountain Power, sonnen and the Wasatch Energy Group — is powered by 5 MW of solar panels and has a battery in each of its 600 units.

By Patrick Cooley • Nov. 15, 2023

Texas voters approve $10B energy fund, with most going to build gas-fired power plants

The fund will be administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, with $7.2 billion allocated for new construction or upgrades of dispatchable power generation. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2023

Duke, others leverage new IRA rules to finance clean energy, but cost, complexity are hurdles

New tax credit provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act could more than triple the $20 billion annual tax equity market that today finances clean energy in the U.S., if various challenges can be overcome.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2023

IRA-driven electrification, other steps could cut building GHG emissions up to 70%: EPA

Inflation Reduction Act incentives could reduce building greenhouse gas emissions through 2035 more than emissions in any other end-use sector, according to a recent EPA report.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 31, 2023

AI is enhancing electric grids, but surging energy use and security risks are key concerns

The power demands of artificial intelligence could grow almost fivefold by 2028, said Sreedhar Sistu, vice president of artificial intelligence offers for Schneider Electric.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2023

Failing to expand the grid may be biggest threat to US energy transition: National Academies

A panel of experts urged FERC to “expeditiously” issue its pending transmission planning and cost allocation reforms and to make sure wholesale power markets can support a shift to 100% clean energy.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 19, 2023

DOE announces ‘largest-ever investment in America’s grid,’ giving $3.5B across 44 states

The first round of funding under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program will boost U.S. renewable capacity by more than 10% within this decade, said DOE officials.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2023

Utilities, charging companies battle over EV fast chargers, slowing deployment amid massive needs

State and federal policies are driving utilities and EV charger providers to transform U.S. transportation. They have found common ground in some areas but cannot agree on the utility role in fast charging deployment.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2023