Utility Demand Response Energy News

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06.18.20 Grid Edge 5

Cumulative U.S. DER investments will eclipse $110 billion between 2020 and 2026.

What the Coming Wave of Distributed Energy Resources Means for the US Grid

EV infrastructure, batteries and grid-interactive water heaters will drive DER spending to a new peak in 2025, Wood Mackenzie says.

by Ben Kellison and Fei Wang

06.15.20 Grid Edge 4

A new decision for California's resource adequacy rules pits community choice groups against utilities.

California Hands Control Over Resource Adequacy to Utilities, Angering Community Choice Groups

Regulators say centralization is necessary to protect grid reliability. Community choice groups worry that big utilities won’t value local clean energy projects.

by Jeff St. John

06.12.20 Grid Edge 10

Texas is getting by without a capacity market. The U.K. is one of many markets that might soon consider alternative flexibility options.

Flexibility Without a Capacity Market: What Texas Can Teach the UK

The Lone Star State isn’t paying over the odds for flexibility. Why should others?

by Jason Deign

06.10.20 Grid Edge 36

UK Struggles With Sagging Power Demand and Surging Renewables

Curtailment of U.K. wind farms surged as COVID-19 lockdowns depressed power demand. More batteries on the grid would help, but how?

by John Parnell

06.02.20 Grid Edge 1

UKPN has committed to making non-wires alternatives its default approach to network reinforcements.

Research Spotlight

UK Power Networks’ New Platform for Flexibility Services Could Be Groundbreaking

UKPN is rolling out one of the most advanced grid planning and operations digitalization efforts in the global electricity industry.

by Francesco Menonna and Chloe Holden

05.19.20 Grid Edge 5

Consumers Energy is looking to energy efficiency to help meet its 2030 clean energy goals. (Credit: Consumers)

Can Free Smart Thermostats Get Homeowners to Enroll in Summertime Demand Response?

Consumers Energy, Google Nest and Uplight want to turn 100,000 free thermostats into megawatts’ worth of peak load reduction.

by Jeff St. John

05.15.20 Energy Storage 17

Hawaii will use gigawatt-hours of new battery storage to support its island grids as power plants close.

‘Blowing Through Milestones’: Hawaiian Electric Picks Winners in Solar-Storage Bonanza

Hawaiian utility backs 460 megawatts of solar and nearly 3 gigawatt-hours of batteries as state moves to close its fossil plants.

by Jeff St. John

04.23.20 Efficiency 8

New York's famous buildings account for 70 percent of the city's greenhouse gas emissions.

After Pandemic, New York’s Buildings Face Daunting Decarbonization Mandate

Multimillion-dollar fines. Cap-and-trade for buildings. How will New York decarbonize its famous skyline?

by Justin Gerdes

04.23.20 Grid Edge 2

The idea of shifting data center loads for clean energy has seldom been tested in the real world. (Credit: Google)

Google Tests Load-Shifting at Data Centers to Capture the Grid’s Peak Clean Energy Hours

In its quest for 24/7 renewables, Google tries scheduling “non-urgent” computing tasks at times of maximum wind and solar output.

by Jeff St. John

04.16.20 8

FERC rejects demands from states and clean-energy groups to undo its order that will restrict state-subsidized renewable energy in PJM's capacity market.

FERC Denies Rehearings on PJM Capacity Orders, in a Blow to States’ Renewables Plans

There’s a silver lining for renewable energy, however: The unexpectedly swift denial opens the door to legal challenges.

by Jeff St. John

04.16.20 Grid Edge 0

New York's COVID-19 lockdown is shifting load from businesses to homes in places including Westchester County.

In New York, a New Way for Stay-at-Home Customers to Get Paid for Shaving Peak Energy

A new program in Westchester County will allow customers to make money at home using software, smart meters and demand response.

by Jeff St. John

03.31.20 Wind 63

Germany generated more than 20 gigawatt-hours of offshore wind power last year. (Credit: TenneT)

Germany’s Maxed-Out Grid Is Causing Trouble Across Europe

Northern Germany can’t use all the renewable energy it’s making. Neither can its neighbors.

by Jason Deign

03.20.20 Grid Edge 20

Mid-Atlantic offshore wind farms may struggle to compete in PJM's capacity market.

PJM’s Compliance Plan Doesn’t End FERC Order’s Threat to Renewables, Experts Say

The grid operator’s new plan offers some relief for solar and wind in the country’s biggest capacity market, but big challenges remain.

by Jeff St. John

03.19.20 Grid Edge 2

Research Spotlight

A New Era Is Beginning for the Grid Edge. Is the Utility Industry Ready?

The groundwork for a flexible grid was laid in the last decade. The 2020s will be when it comes of age, Wood Mackenzie says.

by Elta Kolo

Despite 100% Renewables Legislation, Future of Puerto Rico’s Grid Remains Unclear

GTM Squared

Despite 100% Renewables Legislation, Future of Puerto Rico’s Grid Remains Unclear

The island remains far from meeting even its former RPS of 20 percent by 2035, and questions about gas-fired generation persist.

by Emma Foehringer Merchant | March 16, 2020

03.05.20 Energy Storage 1

Increased cross-border power trading has dented Europe's market for energy storage.

No Subsidies Please, Says Europe’s Struggling Energy Storage Sector

“Batteries are dead” in Europe, says one industry executive. What could turn the market around?

by John Parnell

03.04.20 Grid Edge 0

Northeastern states' focus on decarbonization offers challenges and opportunities for building owners.

David Energy Raises $1.5M to Turn New York’s Buildings Into Energy Market Players

Decreasing a building’s energy demand is one thing. A Brooklyn startup thinks owners can get more value out of their on-site energy assets.

by Jeff St. John

02.24.20 Solar 0

Michigan Utility DTE Ordered to Seek Out More Renewables

Regulators find “fundamental flaws” in DTE Energy’s long-term plan, opening the door to more renewables development in Michigan.

by Jeff St. John

02.17.20 Energy Storage 2

EDF's 49-megawatt West Burton battery in the U.K. The Minety project could be the first in a string of much larger U.K. sites now that planning rules have been relaxed. (Source: EDF)

Shell Signs Offtake Agreement With ‘Europe’s Largest Battery’

Large project sizes could become the norm as European storage developers leverage scale to overcome profitability problems.

by John Parnell

02.12.20 Solar 0

Making Money in Renewables Is Not Easy. Enel Claims to Have It Figured Out

Enel Green Power CEO Antonio Cammisecra on turning a profit in the thick of the energy transition.

by Julia Pyper

02.04.20 Efficiency 0

Limerick, Ireland is bringing energy-efficiency measures to neighborhoods with old buildings.

Europe’s Plan for Districts That Produce Energy, Rather Than Using It

As many as 100 “positive energy districts” could be up and generating across Europe by 2025.

by Jason Deign

02.03.20 2

A wind rotor blade being transported to a project site in Kansas.

Midwestern Utility Evergy Pledges Carbon Cuts in Line With Paris Accord

Kansas and Missouri aren’t asking much of their utilities when it comes to renewable energy. Evergy is forging ahead anyway.

by Jeff St. John

01.23.20 Grid Edge 2

McNamee plans to retire from FERC to spend more time with his family.

Bernard McNamee, Trump-Appointed FERC Commissioner, Announces Resignation Plan

Coal-friendly commissioner won’t seek a second term at FERC, but will stay on until a replacement is confirmed to ensure a quorum.

by Jeff St. John

01.16.20 Grid Edge 15

Australia's electricity demand typically surges in late January, the height of bush fire season.

Australia’s Fire-Hit Grid Braces for an Even Bigger Threat

Bush fires aren’t the biggest worry for grid operators during Australia’s searing summer.

by Jason Deign

01.10.20 Grid Edge 14

Smart meters help customers consume power more efficiently — which is not necessarily in utilities' interest.

Why Most US Utilities Are Failing to Make the Most of Their Smart Meters

Many utilities are wasting their ratepayer-funded smart meters, a new report finds. State regulators may begin rejecting new programs.

by Jeff St. John

How Cheap and Abundant Can Clean Power Get?

Climate Fintech Startup Atmos Financial Puts Savings to Work for Clean Energy

Could Chile’s Auction Help Save CSP From Oblivion?

What the Coming Wave of Distributed Energy Resources Means for the US Grid

Extreme Weather Keeps Maxing Out the Grid

A Wartime Plan for Electrifying America

An Island’s Path to 100% Renewables

Greentech Media Chronicled Clean Energy Before It Was Cool

Are Batteries at a Turning Point?

Vestas Ventures Makes First Investment With Stake in Wooden Tower Start-Up

Vestas Launches World’s Largest Turbines as 'Big 3' Competition Ramps Up

BP, RWE and EnBW Win Big in UK Offshore Wind Leasing Round

How Cheap and Abundant Can Clean Power Get?

Climate Fintech Startup Atmos Financial Puts Savings to Work for Clean Energy

Could Chile’s Auction Help Save CSP From Oblivion?

Energy Demand Response

What the Coming Wave of Distributed Energy Resources Means for the US Grid

California Hands Control Over Resource Adequacy to Utilities, Angering Community Choice Groups

Flexibility Without a Capacity Market: What Texas Can Teach the UK

UK Struggles With Sagging Power Demand and Surging Renewables

UK Power Networks’ New Platform for Flexibility Services Could Be Groundbreaking

Can Free Smart Thermostats Get Homeowners to Enroll in Summertime Demand Response?

‘Blowing Through Milestones’: Hawaiian Electric Picks Winners in Solar-Storage Bonanza

After Pandemic, New York’s Buildings Face Daunting Decarbonization Mandate

Google Tests Load-Shifting at Data Centers to Capture the Grid’s Peak Clean Energy Hours

FERC Denies Rehearings on PJM Capacity Orders, in a Blow to States’ Renewables Plans

In New York, a New Way for Stay-at-Home Customers to Get Paid for Shaving Peak Energy

Germany’s Maxed-Out Grid Is Causing Trouble Across Europe

PJM’s Compliance Plan Doesn’t End FERC Order’s Threat to Renewables, Experts Say

A New Era Is Beginning for the Grid Edge. Is the Utility Industry Ready?

Despite 100% Renewables Legislation, Future of Puerto Rico’s Grid Remains Unclear

No Subsidies Please, Says Europe’s Struggling Energy Storage Sector

David Energy Raises $1.5M to Turn New York’s Buildings Into Energy Market Players

Michigan Utility DTE Ordered to Seek Out More Renewables

Shell Signs Offtake Agreement With ‘Europe’s Largest Battery’

Making Money in Renewables Is Not Easy. Enel Claims to Have It Figured Out

Europe’s Plan for Districts That Produce Energy, Rather Than Using It

Midwestern Utility Evergy Pledges Carbon Cuts in Line With Paris Accord

Bernard McNamee, Trump-Appointed FERC Commissioner, Announces Resignation Plan

Australia’s Fire-Hit Grid Braces for an Even Bigger Threat

Why Most US Utilities Are Failing to Make the Most of Their Smart Meters