Spotlight: 6 key issues driving the utility sector today

The industry is undergoing a fundamental transition as it moves away from a centralized, baseload-focused past to a more distributed, renewable future.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 16, 2018

The invisible power of cities

The electric grid is increasingly part of our national security, and cities are on the front lines. But a revolution in technology and practice can make us all safer.

By Ken Boyce and Karen Weigert • Oct. 15, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Codes and Building Performance Standards

Cities are using these levers to meet climate goals and address everything from data centers to building decarbonization.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

DC’s aggressive clean energy bill gets initial hearing

The bill would require the District to use 100% renewable energy by 2032. Currently, the city is on track to get 50% of its energy from renewable sources in that time.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 11, 2018

Are regulators hindering EV acceleration?

Utilities and regulators are starting to scale up charging infrastructure but are finding it takes private vendor and utility "coopetition" to build the interoperable EV charging networks needed to satisfy drivers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 10, 2018

As companies like Lyft and UPS electrify fleets, local incentives can play a key role

Chicago’s Drive Clean Truck Program is a great example of an innovative incentive for alternative fuel and electric vehicles, Illinois Commerce Commission Commissioner Anastasia Palivos writes.

By Anastasia Palivos, Ritta Merza and Emily Brumit • Oct. 10, 2018

Mass timber: A solution to the affordable housing crisis

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.No human s...

By Steve Conboy • Oct. 10, 2018

Duke to install 530 EV chargers in Florida, study grid integration

Duke will focus EV charging infrastructure efforts on public spaces, making 10% of the installations in lower-income communities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2018

88% of voters say utilities shouldn’t block residential solar: SEIA

The result of the solar trade group's poll highlighted a growing consumer appeal for policies that advance the resource, including net metering and renewable energy mandates.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 28, 2018

Engineering microgrids for municipalities

How cities can build on the benefits of an electrified fleet of vehicles

Sept. 26, 2018

EVgo’s new modular design could speed charging station deployment

The sites could be installed in a matter of days or weeks, even on a short-term basis, according to the company.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2018

USDA invests $400M in rural electricity upgrades, smart grids

The largest loan will send $68.5 million to back a solar farm run by NextEra Energy Resources in Arkansas, which could meet the needs of 21,000 homes.  

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 21, 2018

EV charging providers scale up amid a ‘revolution in transportation’

New numbers show that electric vehicles are growing faster than analysts thought, and companies like ChargePoint and EVBox are responding with plans to expand their charging networks. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2018

Seattle, Atlanta first winners in American Cities Climate Challenge

The pair are the first of 20 cities to be named for Bloomberg Philanthropies' two-year program, which looks to help uphold the goals of the Paris climate accord.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 17, 2018

New Hampshire to use $4.6M of VW settlement to build EV infrastructure

The funds come from a $15 billion settlement between Volkswagen and the U.S. government after the automaker was caught rigging vehicle emissions tests.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2018

Survey: 57% of cities plan climate action in next year

The survey, conducted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, shows cities are investing heavily in renewable energy.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 13, 2018

Outages and coal plant floods are top concerns as utilities brace for Hurricane Florence

Environmental groups are afraid the weather could release toxic coal ash, but utilities say their bigger worry involves cooling ponds at regional power plants. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 13, 2018

Report: US almost halfway to achieving Paris goals thanks to city, state action

The study by the America's Pledge initiative slammed federal government inaction and gave lower levels of government pointers on what to do next.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 13, 2018

New York subway station damaged in 9/11 attacks opens just before 17th anniversary

New York subway station damaged in 9/11 attacks opens just before 17th anniversary

By Jason Axelrod • Sept. 12, 2018

California has a 100% clean energy goal, but not the laws to get it there, critics say

Legislators went big on renewable energy and utility wildfire protections, but went home before kickstarting clean energy procurement or expanding the CAISO market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 12, 2018

Initiative gives cities equal access to competitive EV bids

The Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative provides an online portal for cities to bid on the vehicles and charging infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 12, 2018

Chicago and San Jose, CA achieve ‘LEED for Cities’ platinum certification

The cities had received grants earlier this year to assist with their work toward certification, and join Washington, DC and Phoenix as honorees.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 11, 2018

How residential IoT can help shape a smart city

Once homes and living communities are more connected, they can plug in to larger smart city programs — though we still have a long way to go.

By Paige Leuschner • Sept. 11, 2018

Lyft commits to 100% renewable energy, full carbon neutrality

The company says it is "doubling down on our climate and clean energy commitments" just in time for the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 11, 2018

Pepco unveils $15M transportation electrification program for DC

Electric vehicle growth has been uneven in the District of Columbia, where two-thirds of residents are renters and have limited access to charging infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2018

Greenlots to demo real-time interaction between EV charging and power grid

The company will partner with Burns & McDonnell to test an open standards charging technology, which will allow real-time visibility into the network and data collection, while intending to move into the utility sector.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2018