Building & Transportation Electrification: Page 3


  • Solar panels on a building in New York City.
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    Lisa-Blue via Getty Images
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    Schneider Electric’s building decarbonization tool aims to ease regulatory compliance

    The new calculator allows building owners and operators to simulate energy-saving retrofits and evaluate their impact on emissions to aid compliance with laws such as New York City’s Local Law 97, the company says.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 26, 2024
  • A man in a red uniform repairing a heat pump.
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    welcomia via Getty Images
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    Seattle boosts electric heat pump incentives with goal to eliminate oil-heated homes

    With the city's new rebate, income-qualified households can access up to $8,000 each to switch from oil heat to an electric heat pump.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 25, 2024
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    Liudmila Chernetska via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Building Electrification

    Decarbonization goals are spurring building electrication efforts across the U.S. While the use of heat pumps and other technologies is expanding, some policies are facing legal challenges.

    By Utility Dive staff
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    Courtesy of The Dow Chemical Co.

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    Battery sector gets $3B from Biden administration

    The funding will go toward new battery manufacturing facilities as well as critical mineral processing plants and recycling sites.

    By Sara Samora • Sept. 20, 2024
  • Electric vehicles at an EV charging station.
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    EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
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    Biden administration proposes expanding tax credits for EV charger installations

    The proposed rule would expand on January guidance from the Treasury Department. Each individual charging port that is installed would qualify for the tax credit.

    By Sept. 20, 2024
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    MingzheZhang via Getty Images
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    $38.8M earmarked for building decarbonization, energy efficiency, resilience research: DOE

    The funding will support next-generation retrofits to improve the building envelope, lighting and HVAC systems, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 19, 2024
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    samxmeg via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Misguided DOE rules on fossil fuel use will harm human health and risk national security

    Two recent DOE actions will effectively ban more resilient building solutions like microgrids and combined heat and power that are among the cleanest, most versatile and efficient ways to power buildings.

    By Cameron Brooks • Sept. 18, 2024
  • The facade of the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. with a reflection of the U.S. flag
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    Timothy Epple via Getty Images
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    Businesses saved nearly $22B and cut emissions via Better Buildings Initiative, DOE says

    Program partners have collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 220 million metric tons since 2011, with over $37 billion extended for energy efficiency and renewable projects since then, per a progress report.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 18, 2024
  • A rendering of a flagship charging station co-branded by EVgo and GM Energy.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    GM, EVgo plan 400 EV charging stations in metro areas

    Most flagship stations are expected to feature up to 20 stalls, but some select sites will offer significantly more chargers. 

    By Eric Walz • Sept. 17, 2024
  • GM CEO Mary Barra and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung  signing the collaboration agreement while seated at a table covered in a black table cloth.
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    Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
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    GM, Hyundai plan global alliance on EVs, clean-energy tech

    The potential collaboration aims to reduce automaker costs and deliver a wider range of vehicles and emerging technologies to market faster.

    By Eric Walz • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Russian sanctions for Ukraine war, litigation funding disclosure
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    Drew Angerer / Staff via Getty Images
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    Biden finalizes China tariff hikes, including for EVs, batteries and solar panels

    The administration's increases for this year include a 100% tariff on electric vehicles, a 25% tariff on lithium-ion EV batteries and a 50% tariff on photovoltaic solar cells.

    By Kate Magill • Sept. 16, 2024
  • An aerial view of buildings and skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles at sunset
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    Melpomenem via Getty Images
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    2025 California energy code updates aim to drive heat pump adoption, save nearly $5B in energy costs

    If approved, the new building energy efficiency standards are expected to drive 500,000 heat pump installations in the first three years, the California Energy Commission said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Several vehicles lined up along a curb are blurred while in the foreground a white and silver electric vehicle charger is in focus.
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    Permission granted by Enel X Way North America
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    California PUC sets grid connection timelines for large investor-owned utilities

    The decision could cut in half the time it takes PG&E, SDG&E and SoCal Edison to connect EV charging stations, homes and commercial buildings to the grid, according to the PUC.

    By Sept. 16, 2024
  • A Ford truck charging
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford is first US automaker to participate in Southern California Edison’s emergency DR program

    “The electric industry has been preparing infrastructure and systems to take advantage of vehicle-to-grid integration,” said Southern California Edison President and CEO Steve Powell.

    By Sept. 12, 2024
  • An aerial shot of modern office towers and Downtown Park in Bellevue, Washington on a sunny summer day.
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    Washington aims to support its clean buildings standard with $7.8M DOE grant

    The Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network project proposes to train at least 60 fellows to provide energy services to building owners and operators.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 11, 2024
  • Electric vehicles at an EV charging station.
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    EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Utilities hold the key to the electric vehicle market

    Most utilities are already engaged in basic EV-related activities, such as education regarding when and where to charge, and are offering incentives to install charging infrastructure. But they can do much more. 

    By Doug McMahon • Sept. 10, 2024
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    imagedepotpro via Getty Images
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    Utilities need ‘broad culture change’ to deploy emerging clean resources at scale: DOE’s Shah

    “Failing to adopt new strategies and technologies is the higher-risk path for utilities today,” said Jigar Shah, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.

    By Sept. 9, 2024
  • A rendering of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV in a residential garage with GM's vehicle-to-home charging equipment mounted on the wall.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    V2G law could grow California battery capacity 119 GWh in 2027: ClearView Energy

    The new law gives the California Energy Commission more discretion to mandate bidirectional EV charging capabilities than a stricter version that failed last year, the independent research firm said.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 6, 2024
  • A photo of a ChargePoint EV charger outside an XtraMart convenience store, taken at a ribbon cutting for the charger on Sept. 19, 2023.
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    Courtesy of Global Partners
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    ChargePoint enhances charging stations with AI as shares slide amid slower EV sales growth

    Project delays on the fleet side of ChargePoint’s business were a drag on second quarter revenues, President and CEO Rick Wilmer said.

    By Sept. 6, 2024
  • A Ford truck charging
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    Ford, TXU Energy aim to make at-home EV charging more affordable

    The utility is offering the automaker's electric vehicle customers 125 hours of free home charging time a week.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 4, 2024
  • Aerial view of rooftops in a suburban neighborhood. A street curves through the houses.
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    Haizhan Zheng via Getty Images
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    30 neighborhood decarbonization pilots allowed under bill passed in California

    If the governor signs it, the legislation will let natural gas utilities planning to replace old gas pipelines decarbonize pilot areas instead, potentially via electrification or installing thermal energy networks.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated Sept. 27, 2024
  • Three people wearing goggles and business suits holding a red ribbon.
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    Courtesy of The Chemours Co.

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    Chemours opens EV battery innovation center in Delaware

    The research and development facility will focus on developing and improving lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

    By Sara Samora • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Electric vehicles at an EV charging station.
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    EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
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    Over $12M allocated for energy efficiency, clean energy projects in eighth round of DOE awards

    The 35 grantees announced Aug. 28 will use the funds for projects that include conducting energy assessments and installing EV charging stations, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 30, 2024
  • Large office buildings against a blue sky.
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    David Ryder/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    State, local building energy codes get makeovers with over $240M from US DOE

    Nineteen states and localities, including Seattle and New York City, got grants announced Tuesday by the Department of Energy. The agency encouraged more communities to apply by Sept. 13 for a second round of funding.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 28, 2024
  • Rendering of LG's $5.5 billion battery plant in Queen Creek, Arizona
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    Courtesy of LG Energy Solution
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    Market headwinds force LG Energy Solution, others to pause EV manufacturing projects

    Financing woes, soaring material prices and waning demand are causing auto and battery makers to delay projects, even those that have already started.

    By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 28, 2024
  • Uber sign on office building in New York City.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Uber taps former Tesla exec to oversee sustainability strategy, shift to EVs

    Rebecca Tinucci, previously Tesla’s head of charging, will oversee the ride-share giant’s transition to becoming an emissions-free mobility platform by 2040.

    By Zoya Mirza • Aug. 28, 2024