AI applications in the energy sector — are you missing out on sustainable impact?

Despite the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence across the power and utility sector, its potential remains underutilized in many areas.

By Mike Duffy • Jan. 10, 2025

Energy Trust of Oregon awards CLEAResult 5-year building efficiency contract

The latest phase of the program outlines initiatives to guide the design of energy-efficient renovations and new construction projects, the organizations said.

By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 8, 2025

Microgrids boost grid reliability, lower costs: Colorado road map

Rising transmission costs and extreme weather impacts prompted a fresh look at the benefits of self-contained grids for rural Colorado communities.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 7, 2025

Voltus agrees to pay $18M to settle allegations it violated MISO demand response rules

Through a program called “Scranta” — a combination of “scrape” and “Santa” — Voltus obtained data from an Ameren Illinois website without customers’ knowledge, per the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 7, 2025

Caddis Cloud Solutions, Mission Critical Group partner on data center power solutions

The partnership will streamline design and deployment while reducing equipment lead times and improving energy efficiency, Mission Critical Group’s CEO said.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 3, 2025

From code to current: How to keep AI data centers in check for a sustainable grid

AI doesn't have to be a burden on the grid. With thoughtful strategies and a proactive approach, we can minimize the environmental and infrastructural costs of data centers.

By Manav Mittal • Jan. 3, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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