Building energy code revamps can get another $90M from DOE

More energy-efficient homes can remain habitable longer during extreme heat and cold events, which could save lives, a Department of Energy-commissioned study finds.

By Ysabelle Kempe • March 6, 2024

Fuel cell electric buses up 75% in transit fleets last year

Battery-electric bus fleets also grew last year, but at a slower rate than in 2022, according to Calstart’s annual report on zero-emission buses.

By Dan Zukowski • March 5, 2024

Explore the 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

To expand EV charging, merge the gas station and electrify-everything models

The equity imbalance in residential charging and the public good associated with electrified long-haul trucking are situations ripe for policy intervention.

By Will Sierzchula • March 5, 2024

Local, tribal clean energy projects can tap into $18M from DOE

Microgrids and downtown revitalization efforts that create energy-efficient buildings are potential projects the Department of Energy suggested could be eligible.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 29, 2024

Heat pumps would cut energy bills for majority of US homes: NREL research

Even so, “we need work to bring down the cost of installing heat pumps,” said a senior research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 26, 2024

Con Edison expands SmartCharge EV incentive program to commercial stations in NYC

Ride share and fast charging provider Revel will be the first participant in Consolidated Edison’s new EV charging program. Officials say program incentives should help to lower station operating costs.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2024

The industry trends that will define 2024

In many ways, 2023 was momentous for clean energy, from the release of guidelines for the Inflation Reduction Act to billions in funding for EV charging infrastructure throughout the US.

By Marisa Uchin, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Franklin Energy • Feb. 26, 2024

Removing demand charge utility tariffs for EV charging will raise CO2 emissions

To reduce transportation emissions, and fully transition to EVs, the deployment of batteries and battery storage systems is an essential lever that must be incentivized at every level of governance.

By Michael Spurr • Feb. 21, 2024

Schneider Electric sees surge in energy management, system revenue in Q4 2023

AI developments and continued demand across the data center and infrastructure markets drove its fourth-quarter and full-year growth, according to the company’s latest earnings.

By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 20, 2024

What’s next for EV charging networks: 3 steps for utilities to improve charging infrastructure

Three steps utilities should take to stay ahead of the curve on the EV transition.

Feb. 20, 2024

Incentivizing domestic battery machines manufacturing for economic and national security

By concentrating on homegrown solutions, the U.S. can drive advancements in battery technology, setting new standards for efficiency, sustainability and reliability.

By Bennett Resnik • Feb. 16, 2024

Utilities, EV charging companies must collaborate to avoid bulk power system disruptions: NERC

The shift to electric transportation poses reliability risks, according to NERC, but Blink Charging says it can be managed with new technologies and approaches to charging.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2024

Joint venture EV charging network Ionna begins operations

The firm, which seven leading automakers support, plans to install at least 30,000 high-powered public chargers in strategic locations throughout North America.

By Eric Walz • Feb. 14, 2024

Boston’s first networked geothermal project will electrify 7 public housing buildings

The project is part of a demonstration program led by National Grid, which broke ground on a similar initiative in Lowell, Massachusetts, last April.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 12, 2024

GM Envolve to offer FreeWire EV charging to fleet customers

FreeWire’s direct-current fast-charging stations, which have lower electricity and space requirements than other options, can reduce barriers to fleet electrification, the companies say.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 9, 2024

Tribal nations, utilities partner on EV access and reliability in the Upper Midwest

The $13.4 million Electric Nation project will install 122 EV chargers and distribute 16 vehicles to tribal fleets across the region.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 8, 2024

Energy Department opens battery R&D funds for sodium-ion

The $15.7 million will also go toward projects using smart manufacturing technologies to lower the cost of battery production.

By Joelle Anselmo • Feb. 7, 2024

9 states pledge to accelerate zero-emission heat pump sales

The pledge sends a clear market signal, said the senior policy advisor for an association of Northeastern state air quality agencies.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 7, 2024

Is the EV revolution over?

Reports of inventory sitting on lots, production cuts and cold weather issues, as well as ongoing concerns about a lack of charging infrastructure, have raised questions about the future of EVs.

By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 5, 2024

We’re utility commissioners for Georgia and Colorado. Here are key issues we see for an EV future.

Even back-of-the-envelope math shows that both states may have massive load growth in the future, even beyond individual car owners charging at home, where 80% of charging occurs.

By Tim Echols and Eric Blank • Feb. 2, 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

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

Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings

This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 26, 2024

EV battery research gets $131M funding boost

Some $71 million from the Department of Energy will go to 27 projects focused on increasing EV drive range, lowering battery costs and advancing onboard EV charging systems. 

By Kate Magill • Jan. 26, 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