Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response


  • Chevrolet Bolt EV charging Chicago
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    More public EV charging, including curbside, envisioned in Chicago plan

    “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago,” CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney said.

    By Ryan Kushner • April 14, 2025
  • The exterior of Brockton, Massachusetts, City Hall.
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    "City Hall" [Photograph]. Retrieved from City of Brockton, Massachusetts.
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    Brockton, Mass., leverages energy savings contract to preserve, improve two historic buildings

    New window, lighting and HVAC systems aim to reduce energy and improve air quality, including in one building that has been unusable in extreme weather. 

    By Joe Burns • April 11, 2025
  • The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen at night
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    Kent Nishimura via Getty Images
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    Bill to undo Biden-era water heater efficiency rule heads to Trump’s desk

    Republicans say former President Biden “waged war on our home appliances” and are looking to undo energy efficiency rules and standards.

    By April 11, 2025
  • A gravel lot in a field with industrial equipment.
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    drnadig via Getty Images
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    Liberty Energy to deploy modular gas-fired ‘power blocks’ at Pennsylvania industrial site

    The rapidly deployable systems could support a scalable data center or other large-load industrial client using fuel sourced from the surrounding Marcellus Shale, the company said.

    By Brian Martucci • April 9, 2025
  • A light gray Chevrolet Bolt EV parked outside at a charging station at a Chevrolet dealer in Colma, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    EnergyHub partners with GM to use EVs as grid resources

    General Motors’ sales of electric vehicles jumped 94% in the first quarter. EnergyHub said its managed EV charging programs can help utilities maintain grid stability as EV demand rises.

    By April 9, 2025
  • ge-vernova
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    Courtesy of GE Vernova
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    US electricity demand will grow 50% by 2050, electrical manufacturer study finds

    Data centers and transportation electrification will drive U.S. electricity demand about 2% higher each year for the next quarter century, according to a new analysis completed for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

    By April 7, 2025
  • data center construction, CBRE, Virtiv, Tecogen
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    DOE offers 16 locations for possible data center, energy infrastructure development

    The federal government is seeking input on data center “power needs, timelines, and approaches to co-locating energy sources with data centers or sources for surplus interconnection capacity.”

    By April 4, 2025
  • A person in a blue pinstripe suit looks straight ahead.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump guts LIHEAP, threatening $378M in energy assistance already approved by Congress

    State energy assistance programs have funding to continue short-term operations, but the elimination of federal staff threatens the long-term stability of a popular program, experts say.

    By April 2, 2025
  • In an aerial view, solar panels are seen at MCE Solar One solar farm on April 25, 2024 in Richmond, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    PG&E announces microgrid awards for $43M as Sunrun joins its 2025 VPP

    The nine microgrid projects will serve about 9,000 customers in disadvantaged or vulnerable Northern California communities, the utility said.

    By Brian Martucci • April 2, 2025
  • Blue and white passenger train at a station with people on the platform at night.
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    Courtesy of Stadler
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    Where battery and hydrogen-powered trains are coming to US commuter rail

    Three global train manufacturers with zero-emission trains operating in Europe are vying for U.S. contracts.

    By Dan Zukowski • April 1, 2025
  • Rear aerial view of of a data center being constructed in Ashburn, VA
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Utilities should develop data center tariffs to protect consumers, decarbonize: SWEEP

    Rising data center electricity demands threaten utility decarbonization efforts, potentially requiring fossil fuel generation and pulling renewables away from other electrification efforts, per a Southwest Energy Efficiency Project report.

    By March 28, 2025
  • A General Motors Co. truck charges inside a garage.
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    Courtesy of Pacific Gas & Electric Company
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    GM Energy joins PG&E bidirectional EV charging pilot in California

    Certain electric vehicle owners are now eligible for discounts on charging equipment that can be used to power homes during blackouts.

    By Kalena Thomhave • March 28, 2025
  • Schneider Electric, data centers, microgrid
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    Courtesy of Schneider Electric
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    Schneider Electric to invest $700M in US manufacturing

    The investment will help expand production of electric grid equipment and research into microgrids and AI-driven automation.

    By Kate Magill • March 27, 2025
  • A SPAN Edge device attached to an electricity meter on the side of a house.
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    Courtesy of Span
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    Span unveils at-the-meter load control device for utilities

    The SPAN Edge device will be used in a Pacific Gas & Electric residential customer virtual power plant this year.

    By March 26, 2025
  • A map of the U.S. showing Renew Home's managed load.
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    Courtesy of Renew Home
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    Renew Home to roll out new VPP features this summer

    Renew Home will work with energy providers to incorporate up-to-date tariffs and grid or capacity constraints into an aggregated resource that can dispatch within five minutes, the company said.

    By Brian Martucci • March 25, 2025
  • DOE withdraws, postpones multiple appliance energy efficiency rules

    “We are returning freedom of choice to the American people,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a statement. Appliance efficiency advocates warn the agency is in “uncharted territory.”

    By March 25, 2025
  • Building performance standards set to proliferate, evolve in 2025

    State and local governments continue to develop building standards that draw on existing frameworks and implement new metrics for measuring performance. 

    By Joe Burns • March 25, 2025
  • UAlbany decarbonization project to cut fossil fuel consumption 16%

    With geothermal wells, heat recovery and chiller replacements, the university will be able to shut off its gas-fired boilers during the summer, it says.

    By Joe Burns • March 24, 2025
  • Electric boxes and wiring on a wall.
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    alacatr via Getty Images
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    MISO proposes demand response rule changes to stem market fraud, gaming

    The proposal is in response to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission enforcement actions involving Voltus, Ketchup Caddy, Big River Steel and Linde.

    By March 24, 2025
  • While active kids running parents resting on sofa using laptop
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    iStock / fizkes

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    Sponsored by Oracle

    Times demand a first-“rate” approach to affordability

    Learn how the right tools can enable more rate options, helping utilities control costs and customers afford their bills.

    By Julia Friedman, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, Oracle Utilities • March 24, 2025
  • Rear aerial view of of a data center being constructed in Ashburn, VA
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Cloud data centers get bigger, denser amid AI building boom

    AWS, Microsoft and Google accounted for 59% of all hyperscale compute capacity as the number of large facilities grew to more than 1,100 last year, Synergy Research Group said.

    By Matt Ashare • March 21, 2025
  • The front badge of the Nissan Aiyra electric SUV.
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    Courtesy of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd
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    Nissan, SK On announce $661M EV battery supply deal

    The automaker will use the batteries for electric vehicles manufactured at its assembly plant in Mississippi.

    By Kelly Stroh • March 20, 2025
  • A closeup shot showing the hand of a man who is replacing a compact-fluorescent bulb with a new LED light fixture.
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    Pornpak Khunatorn via Getty Images
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    Utility energy efficiency investment hit record $8.8B in 2023: ACEEE

    Utilities are investing more than ever to reduce bills and cut emissions, but the increases are concentrated in just a few states, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy concluded in its policy scorecard. 

    By March 19, 2025
  • Two engineers look at a data center server rack.
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    Simonkr via Getty Images
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    Schneider Electric, NVIDIA, ETAP collaboration set to advance data center efficiency, operations

    The digital twins will analyze inputs, like those from mechanical, thermal and electrical systems, to help operators manage data center facilities in real-time, the companies say.

    By Joe Burns • March 18, 2025
  • California PUC approves battery storage safety rules

    The rules require battery storage facility owners to develop emergency response and emergency action plans.

    By March 17, 2025