Xcel Energy has proposed a new electric vehicle charging pilot for Minnesota customers that would eliminate a hurdle to signing up for EV rates — the need for a second meter. In addition to lower rates for charging done between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. during weekdays, and on weekends and holidays, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports the utility will assist the customer in installing a new meter that can measure the home's normal energy use as well as the vehicle charging. Previously, two separate meters were required.

Duke Energy is investing $3 billion over roughly the next 10 years in South Carolina to strengthen the energy grid and provide a major boost to the state's economy for years to come. Duke’s Power/Forward Carolinas program will consist of upgrades that will harden the system against storms and outages, further protect it against cyberattacks and physical threats, help expand renewable energy, generate jobs and stimulate economic growth.

A new report from SECC considers how millennials’ differing attitude to energy and technology will, and already is, affecting the power generation sector. SECC president and CEO Patty Durand discusses the research, as well as how millennials present future challenges, but also new opportunities for energy providers.

Tesla has completed a 100 MW/129 MWh battery facility designed to stabilize the electric grid in South Australia. It installed the storage system as part of a high-profile wager that it could be done in 100 days or it would be free. In March, Tesla CEO Elon Musk declared the storage facility would be "built and working" within 100 days of contract signature. If he failed, Musk had promised to foot the bill for the $50 million project.

Over the last decade, Sunverge has become a preferred provider of home solar-battery systems to utilities. It rivals Tesla in scope and scale of its deployments, if not in its marketing hype. But just like Tesla, the startup has seen its share of struggles, albeit of a different scope. While Tesla is seeking mass-market acceptance for its Powerwalls, Sunverge has shifted from making its own battery units to providing software to utilities.

The Illinois Commerce Commission has embarked on a momentous NextGrid adventure. It will be a consumer-focused effort to study ways to leverage the state’s restructured energy market, investment in smart-grid technology, and significant expansion of renewables and energy efficiency as a result of the state's Future Energy Jobs Act. It is based on the growing sense of both opportunity and urgency among Illinois energy stakeholders to map out the future of our energy system.