Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response


  • Image of Data Center With Multiple Rows of Fully Operational Server Racks.
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    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
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    HVAC coating boosts energy efficiency in 36 Verizon urban data centers, saving $1.28M annually

    The coating, which is applied to HVAC condenser coils, could save Verizon’s data centers an additional $16 million over the next decade, Ener.co says.

    By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 18, 2024
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    Silas Bubolu via Getty Images
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    American Efficient faces $975M FERC hit for ‘manipulative scheme’ in MISO, PJM

    The energy efficiency company has cleared 20,751 MW and $473.7 million in capacity payments since entering PJM’s capacity market in 2014, enforcement office staff said.

    By Dec. 18, 2024
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    welcomia via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The key to successfully deploying heat pump water heaters? Funding innovation.

    The impact of small grants on spurring testing of new technologies and approaches underscores exactly why programs like TECH Clean California are vital to scaling climate solutions.

    By Chris Badger • Dec. 16, 2024
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    Cavan Images via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Texas task force aims to ‘tear down barriers’ to virtual power plant pilot as participation lags

    The aggregated DER pilot, which includes Tesla and Bandera Electric as participants, aims to harness 80 MW of flexible resources on the Texas grid, but it has not reached that goal due to various limitations.

    By Dec. 11, 2024
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    Nathan Howard/Stringer via Getty Images
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    The AI paradox: Energy-hungry technology could speed clean energy transition

    “I really think the climate case for AI needs to be made,” said Neil Chatterjee, a former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

    By Dec. 10, 2024
  • Schneider Electric data center innovations shed light on AI strategy

    A new data center reference design, co-developed by NVIDIA, and a high-density uninterruptible power supply are among the company’s future goals for energy and artificial intelligence, Schneider Electric says.

    By Joe Burns • Dec. 10, 2024
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    Permission granted by Midcontinent Independent System Operator
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    FERC orders Ketchup Caddy to pay $27M for MISO demand response fraud

    FERC staff estimated that Ketchup Caddy’s bogus capacity offers caused $17.6 million in losses over three years through reduced capacity prices.

    By Updated Dec. 6, 2024
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    Noah Berger via Getty Images
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    Amazon Web Services leans on AI to decarbonize data centers, boost energy efficiency

    Amazon’s cloud computing subsidiary has signed a deal with Orbital Materials and made infrastructure updates to boost data center sustainability and energy efficiency.

    By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 4, 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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    Deep Dive

    When TOU rates aren’t enough: BGE, other utilities expand active managed charging for rising EV load

    With over 3 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads, managed charging pilots need to be scaled before infrastructure upgrade costs start rising, analysts and utility executives agree.

    By Dec. 4, 2024
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    Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    EPRI, Kraken advance DER interoperability standards to boost virtual power plant deployment

    “Without interoperability standards, VPPs cannot reach scalability, affordability, and reliability as soon or as efficiently as they will be needed,” said Arshad Mansoor, CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute.

    By Nov. 27, 2024
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    Daniel Meglas via Getty Images
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    Data center stakeholders must collaborate to meet clean energy targets: Deloitte

    With generative AI driving energy consumption, key players must work together to assess cooling needs and identify heat and wastewater solutions, according to the consulting firm’s report.

    By Joe Burns • Nov. 21, 2024
  • Aerial shot of roads running through a dense urban area on the waterfront
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    Jacob Boomsma via Getty Images
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    Thermal energy networks can decarbonize neighborhoods. Meet the US cities giving them a shot.

    With federal dollars, cities want to leverage heat from waste sources and the ground to move buildings away from burning fossil fuels on-site.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 20, 2024
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    Eoneren via Getty Images
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    USGBC releases tool to bridge gap between sustainability targets and outcomes in buildings

    The digital platform is intended to help organizations meet reporting requirements and sustainability goals related to emissions, energy, water and waste, the U.S. Green Building Council said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 20, 2024
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    Win McNamee/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    2024 Elections

    Trump has threatened energy efficiency, weatherization programs. What happens now?

    Manufacturers say they want certainty for their products and supply chains and could press the Trump administration to double the time between efficiency standard reviews.

    By Nov. 20, 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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    Local decarbonization, energy efficiency projects get over $17M from DOE

    The “highly flexible” grant program allows communities to pursue a broad range of projects, from home energy efficiency rebate programs to workforce training initiatives, according to the Department of Energy.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 15, 2024
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    Lisa-Blue via Getty Images
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    Demand response programs can help boost reliability, cut emissions in New York, advocates say

    Statewide legislative changes and greater incentives could boost buildings’ participation in demand response programs, according to energy policy experts. 

    By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 13, 2024
  • Two people stand next to flames in a barbecue with their hands stretched out over the fire. One person is wrapped in a blanket.
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    Go Nakamura via Getty Images
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    Heat pumps could save these Texas households money, reduce grid strain: ACEEE

    The state should focus on deploying heat pumps in homes that currently use inefficient electric resistance heaters, say the authors of a paper from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 13, 2024
  • A woman adjusts a Nest thermostat.
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    Permission granted by Renew Home
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    NRG, Renew Home aim for 1-GW Texas VPP by 2035

    The companies will begin installing Nest and Vivint smart thermostats in Texas homes next spring. They eventually hope to supply capacity equivalent to the peak demand of 200,000 average homes.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 12, 2024
  • President-elect Donald Trump giving the thumbs-up against a background of U.S. flags.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    2024 Elections

    What Trump’s energy plans could mean for commercial building efficiency and sustainability

    Building operators using Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives “will be talking with their senators and representatives to express the need to keep these in place,” a U.S. Green Building Council official said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 12, 2024
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    DOE earmarks nearly $150M for 67 clean tech projects at federal facilities

    The Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies program grants will save a combined $41.7 million in energy and water costs annually, the Energy Department said.

    By Brian Martucci • Nov. 11, 2024
  • Power lines running through the woods in North Carolina.
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    Duke Energy signs agreements for 2 GW of data centers in past month: CFO

    “You're going to see this kind of burst of activity that will be signing contracts that will come to reality in '27, '28, '29, when we see acceleration of load growth,” said Duke Energy’s Brian Savoy.

    By Nov. 11, 2024
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    creativenature.nl/stock.adobe.com

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    Sponsored by Energy Exemplar

    How nodal modeling optimizes data center siting

    Data center electricity needs are growing so fast that even bullish forecasts are outdated quickly.

    Nov. 11, 2024
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    stock.adobe.com/Daniel Avram

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    Sponsored by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors

    Advanced DSM - broader, bigger, better

    Learn how DSM is being reshaped as a powerful new tool that can not only reduce demand, but also shape it and even grow it to meet economic and environmental goals.

    By Raegan Bond, Partner, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, Philippe Dunsky, President and Founder, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors • Nov. 11, 2024
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    Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
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    FERC approves PJM plan to omit energy efficiency resources from capacity auctions

    PJM Interconnection’s current load forecasting methodology “reasonably accounts for energy efficiency measures on the demand side,” the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday.

    By Nov. 8, 2024
  • Puget Sound Energy's Encogen Generating Station located next to the Bellingham District Energy Utility
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    Retrieved from Corix on October 30, 2024
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    Corix district energy system launches in Bellingham, Washington, waterfront neighborhood

    The system, which captures waste heat for districtwide heating and cooling, is expected to help the district meet Washington state energy code requirements, the Port of Bellingham says. 

    By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 6, 2024