Distributed Energy: Page 13


  • A FedEx Express delivery vehicle with European plates driving down a tree-lined street.
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    Courtesy of FedEx
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    FedEx to convert parcel fleet to EVs by 2040, eyeing a carbon neutral future

    The announcement is part of a broader $2 billion investment focused on clean energy, carbon removal and electrification.

    By A.B. Brown • March 5, 2021
  • An electric vehicle and an EV charger.
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    Courtesy of Volvo Lights
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    A growing appetite for EVs tasks the supply chain to scale

    Vehicle manufacturers are investing in redundant suppliers and regional networks to keep up with the demand for electric vehicles and boost resiliency.

    By Aaron Perryman • March 5, 2021
  • A picture of wind turbines in front of solar panels in Palm Springs, California. Explore the Trendline
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    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Sustainability

    Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

    By Utility Dive staff
  • Automotus
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    Permission granted by Automotus
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    Santa Monica, California, aims to create zero-emissions delivery zone playbook

    The city and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator's pilot seeks to support local climate goals while solving for curbside woes exacerbated by the pandemic's delivery surge.

    By Cailin Crowe • March 4, 2021
  • A Hyzon truck.
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    Courtesy of Hyzon
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    Why transport buyers tell Hyzon hydrogen is a 'no-brainer'

    The original equipment manufacturer is expanding its fuel-cell plant as the competition heats up between electric and fuel-cell trucks.

    By Jim Stinson • March 4, 2021
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    Yujin Kim, Industry Dive
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    Facing an EV boom, AEP, Duke, 4 other utilities unveil plan for multi-regional charging network

    The plan would provide electric vehicle drivers with a "seamless network" of direct current fast-charging stations, connecting major highways in the South, Midwest, Gulf and Central Plains regions.

    By March 3, 2021
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    Permission granted by Electric Avenue
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    Opinion

    Electric cars are not enough. It's time we invest in LEVs.

    The increased attention placed on electric vehicles must not leave behind two- and three-wheeled light electric vehicles, Swiftmile CEO Colin Roche writes.

    By Colin Roche • March 2, 2021
  • Texas and United States flags
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    The image by TimothyJ is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Deep Dive

    Texas must increase ties to the national grid and DER to avoid another power catastrophe, analysts say

    Planning for inter-regional transmission and distributed resources could do what ERCOT's competitive, energy-only market didn't – keep the heat and lights on, energy advisors say.

    By March 2, 2021
  • Puget Sound Energy IRP dramatically increases DERs but sets conflict over gas

    The debate over PSE's draft integrated resource plan is the latest example of a conflict over the degree to which natural gas will be needed to back up renewable energy.

    By Matthew Bandyk • March 1, 2021
  • A Nikola Tre FCEV Cabover rendering
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    Courtesy of Nikola
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    Battery, semiconductor shortages disrupt Nikola's electric vehicle plans

    Company founder Trevor Milton's exit and canceled deals made for a rocky end to 2020, but the CEO said Nikola is "back to execution mode."

    By S.L. Fuller • March 1, 2021
  • The debate over EV charging at interstate rest stops

    A truck stop operators group said allowing electric chargers is the "wrong signal" from Congress, while advocates tout the need to modernize Eisenhower-era rules and provide parking.

    By Jim Stinson • March 1, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    USPS to continue purchasing gas vehicles, despite Biden all-electric pledge

    The postal service says the procurement allows for flexibility, and hinted at the ability to "retrofit" some vehicles. But electric vehicle advocates say "this will lock USPS into an outdated technology for many years."

    By Feb. 25, 2021
  • Romeo Power lab in Vernon, CA
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    Permission granted by Romeo Power
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    New year brings string of partnerships on waste fleet electrification

    Romeo Power and XL Fleet are among those in the electric vehicle space that have recently gone public via SPACs and are linking up with waste specialists to gain a foothold in the sector.

    By Maria Rachal • Feb. 23, 2021
  • A Walmart and Gatik electric autonomous box truck sits parked.
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    Courtesy of Gatik
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    Gatik's autonomous, middle-mile box trucks go electric

    The truck fully charges in under 1.5 hours, the firm said, and it's working with customers to set up charging stations at distribution hubs and vehicle depots.

    By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 18, 2021
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    Yujin Kim, Industry Dive
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    Opinion

    Questioning 'artificial' electrification

    Should we hurry electrification through governmental actions with incentives and subsidies, or instead, allow the market by itself to determine the speed and magnitude of electrification, the author asks.

    By Kenneth W. Costello • Feb. 17, 2021
  • An NFI Daimler eCascadia.
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    Permission granted by NFI
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    Lessons from NFI's electric truck adoption

    Transport firms don't have a long history with green tech, but they're taking notes on deployment and collaboration along the way.

    By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 11, 2021
  • Grid operators to request extension on FERC Order 2222 compliance, regulator cites 'short' timeline

    "FERC, when issuing Order 2222, left many of the most difficult challenges to be dealt with by the RTOs in their stakeholder process," said Ted Thomas, chair of the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

    By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 10, 2021
  • Carmakers in US to spend $250B on electrification by 2023, push for national standard, group says

    The Alliance for Automotive Innovation plans to work with the Biden administration on a national electrification program to bring all automakers "under a unified set of common requirements."

    By Feb. 10, 2021
  • Ford bets $29B on leading the 'electric vehicle revolution'

    CEO Jim Farley said on an earnings call that the automaker has more than doubled its commitment to spending on automation and electrification between now and 2025.

    By Feb. 9, 2021
  • A rendering of Daimler's Electric Island in Portland, Oregon.
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    Courtesy of Daimler
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    2021: When electric trucks trickle in

    Political winds and consumer tastes favor a change in how trucks are fueled. The question is whether manufacturers, fleets and infrastructure are ready for the change.

    By Jim Stinson • Feb. 8, 2021
  • Electric vehicles could be 'imperfect substitutes' for gas-powered cars, new study suggests

    EVs are being used about half as much as non-EVs, according to the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute, meaning policymakers may be underestimating the costs of transportation electrification.

    By Feb. 8, 2021
  • Solar panels under blue sky
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    The image by RecondOil is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    EVs, turbines, solar panels pose circular economy dilemma: NIST workshop

    Representatives from throughout the supply chain reflected on how batteries and electronics can find their place as greener solutions in the circular economy at a recent National Institute of Standards and Technology workshop.

    By Megan Quinn • Feb. 4, 2021
  • As GM gives 'huge' boost to EVs, states vary in advancing supportive policies, reports find

    Washington lawmakers are considering legislation to ban the sale of internal combustion light duty vehicles by 2030, and others are setting 2035 goals.

    By Feb. 3, 2021
  • Houston skyline
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    Barton, Ben. (2017). "Downtown Houston" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Houston, Uber and BP partner to aid EV transition for drivers

    The trio will explore the deployment of BP's rapid charging electric vehicle stations throughout Houston, aiming to support the city's EV adoption goals and plans to create an equitable charging network.

    By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 2, 2021
  • Tesla: Batteries better for long-haul EVs, hydrogen is 'just crazy'

    CEO Elon Musk said the company does not have enough battery cells to put its Semi truck into full production.

    By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 1, 2021
  • EV Connect charging electric vehicle
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    Courtesy of EV Connect
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    New Jersey OKs PSE&G's $166M EV infrastructure program, omits heavy duty vehicles

    Some electrification advocates criticized the decision, calling it a "watered-down initiative" that would undercut other energy transition efforts in the state.

    By Jan. 28, 2021