Growing building sector carbon emissions threaten 2050 net-zero goal, report warns

U.S. economywide greenhouse gas emissions fell 12% from 2005 to 2019, but direct emissions from the building sector were higher, according to the report.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2022

State NEVI plans raise concerns about EV charging infrastructure rollout

Grid capacity, plus Buy America and matching fund requirements, are among states’ worries about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which aims to put charging stations every 50 miles along interstate highways.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 23, 2022

Data — An essential tool for utilities to prepare for extreme weather

Data helps utilities prepare for extreme weather by providing a clear visual picture of numerous interrelated aspects of power markets that informs actionable solutions.

Aug. 22, 2022

Pepco gets approval for $92M efficiency, demand response program in District of Columbia

The portfolio of nine load management programs has a total budget of approximately $92.4 million, and a third is allocated to programs benefiting low- and moderate-income customers.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2022

MISO can improve reliability before building transmission

Well before MISO builds out its recently approved $10 billion transmission portfolio, it can avoid blackouts by boosting its operating reserves rather than keeping a singular focus on planning reserves, the authors write.

By Rao Konidena and Allison Bates Wannop • Aug. 15, 2022

Coordination between utilities and crypto miners — when does it make sense?

Some, but not too much, demand response can be a win-win for utilities and crypto miners, the authors contend.

By Steve Wright and Hassan Shaban • Aug. 11, 2022

New York public housing is poised for electric heating and cooling upgrades from a California startup

Vince Romanin, the CEO of Gradient, discusses the market for heat pumps and a New York City Housing Authority contract to rethink HVAC for residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 11, 2022

U.S. electricity sales to increase 2.5% this year, with average residential prices jumping 6.1%: EIA

The Energy Information Administration said Tuesday it expects wholesale power prices to climb in most regions this year, with prices up 90% in the PJM Interconnection’s Western hub.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2022

Building performance standards push grows amid electrification incentives, White House efforts

A Maryland county’s policy represents one of the only major updates so far, but more localities have said they’ll pursue standards. Funds in the Inflation Reduction Act could provide new incentives to decarbonize buildings.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 9, 2022

California becomes first state to roll out submetering technology to spur EV adoption

The decision is the culmination of a decade of efforts to develop submetering capabilities, California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds said at a meeting Thursday.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 8, 2022

Avangrid works to turn electric vehicles into a grid resource in Connecticut, New York

Avangrid officials say they are still developing best practices for electric vehicles and demand response. In Connecticut, the utility could call up to 15 events per month.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 3, 2022

NextEra’s ‘game-changing’ Real Zero emissions goal spurs questions about hydrogen, demand-side management

NextEra, the world’s biggest IOU by market cap, wants a “real” reduction of all carbon emissions by FPL, its regulated subsidiary, with solar, batteries and green hydrogen, but it will go without much help from the demand side.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2022

Electric heat pumps will be the cheapest clean option to heat most US homes by 2030: ACEEE

To advance the transition to carbon-free heating, ACEEE’s report calls for incentives and grants to support installation, minimum efficiency standards for heating equipment and other policies.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2022

New York City expands role in ConEd demand response program amid second week of stifling temperatures

The city’s increased participation can reduce peak energy demand by 115 MW, officials said. 

By Robert Walton • July 21, 2022

FirstEnergy proposes $626M Ohio grid modernization plan with smart meters, bidirectional EV chargers

The plan includes installation of 700,000 smart meters along with equipment to reduce the duration and frequency of outages.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2022

California launches rulemaking to expand electricity demand flexibility, amid threats to grid reliability

State regulators are considering updates to rate design principles, and streamlining California’s patchwork of rates and demand response programs.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 18, 2022

Texas expands industrial demand response program as grid goes to the brink of rolling outages

The state’s Emergency Response Service was deployed on Wednesday to reduce grid stress and a “substantial” portion of its budget was used, regulators said.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2022

DOE awards weatherization, efficiency funding to address 'critical gap' in federal assistance

Experts say about half of low-income households struggle to pay their power bill, and expansion of the federal government’s Weatherization Assistance Program can help lower energy burdens.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2022

High energy prices, Ukraine war and rising demand response potential spur energy efficiency efforts

New energy efficiency as demand response opportunities can meet customer and system needs as well as set the EU and the world free from both Russian energy and stopgap coal burning, International Energy Agency leaders said.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 11, 2022

How to meaningfully consider wider storage capabilities in long-term utility resource planning

Focusing on the highest value applications for a particular market can clarify and improve analysis of where storage fits best.

By Matt Harper, CCO at Invinity Energy Systems • July 11, 2022

Connecticut approves 3-year, $708M energy efficiency plan with focus on equity, affordability, decarbonization

The state’s 2022-2024 Conservation and Load Management Plan is expected to generate more than $1.7 billion in cumulative benefits.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2022

Voltus presses FERC to end state opt-outs from aggregated retail demand response in wholesale markets

Removing the opt-out could help the Midcontinent Independent System Operator meet its capacity shortfall, according to Voltus.

By Ethan Howland • July 6, 2022

Energy sector job growth outpaces overall US economy, with strength in transportation, renewables: DOE

The number of jobs in the U.S. energy sector grew 4% in 2021, outpacing 2.8% growth in overall domestic employment, according to the agency.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2022

House bills would require demand response-enabled water heaters, strengthen weatherization program

There are some privacy concerns regarding the demand response requirements, but water heater manufacturers are on board with the proposal.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2022

A third of Texas energy efficiency budgets could go to pay utility performance bonuses: Sierra Club

Efficiency goals mandated by the Texas legislature have not been updated in more than a decade and are too easy to meet, say conservation advocates.

By Robert Walton • June 17, 2022