Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response
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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 -
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 Ethan Howland • Dec. 18, 2024 -
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 -
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 Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2024 -
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 Diana DiGangi • 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 -
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 Ethan Howland • Updated Dec. 6, 2024 -
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 -
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 Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 4, 2024 -
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 Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 27, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 Diana DiGangi • Nov. 11, 2024 -
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 -
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 -
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 Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2024 -
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