Utilities need ‘broad culture change’ to deploy emerging clean resources at scale: DOE’s Shah

“Failing to adopt new strategies and technologies is the higher-risk path for utilities today,” said Jigar Shah, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2024

V2G law could grow California battery capacity 119 GWh in 2027: ClearView Energy

The new law gives the California Energy Commission more discretion to mandate bidirectional EV charging capabilities than a stricter version that failed last year, the independent research firm said Tuesday.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 6, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Building Electrification

Decarbonization goals are spurring building electrication efforts across the U.S. While the use of heat pumps and other technologies is expanding, some policies are facing legal challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

ChargePoint enhances charging stations with AI as shares slide amid slower EV sales growth

Project delays on the fleet side of ChargePoint’s business were a drag on second quarter revenues, President and CEO Rick Wilmer said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2024

Ford, TXU Energy aim to make at-home EV charging more affordable

The utility is offering the automaker's electric vehicle customers 125 hours of free home charging time a week.

By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 4, 2024

30 neighborhood decarbonization pilots allowed under bill passed in California

If the governor signs it, the legislation will let natural gas utilities planning to replace old gas pipelines decarbonize pilot areas instead, potentially via electrification or installing thermal energy networks.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 4, 2024

Chemours opens EV battery innovation center in Delaware

The research and development facility will focus on developing and improving lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

By Sara Samora • Sept. 3, 2024

Over $12M allocated for energy efficiency, clean energy projects in eighth round of DOE awards

The 35 grantees announced Aug. 28 will use the funds for projects that include conducting energy assessments and installing EV charging stations, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 30, 2024

State, local building energy codes get makeovers with over $240M from US DOE

Nineteen states and localities, including Seattle and New York City, got grants announced Tuesday by the Department of Energy. The agency encouraged more communities to apply by Sept. 13 for a second round of funding.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 28, 2024

Market headwinds force LG Energy Solution, others to pause EV manufacturing projects

Financing woes, soaring material prices and waning demand are causing auto and battery makers to delay projects, even those that have already started.

By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 28, 2024

Uber taps former Tesla exec to oversee sustainability strategy, shift to EVs

Rebecca Tinucci, previously Tesla’s head of charging, will oversee the ride-share giant’s transition to becoming an emissions-free mobility platform by 2040.

By Zoya Mirza • Aug. 28, 2024

Avangrid, Schneider Electric among first cohort chosen for cleantech initiative

The program will address barriers building owners face when implementing new decarbonization technologies, such as performance uncertainty and integration challenges.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 27, 2024

DOT awards $521M in EV charging grants amid slowing sales growth

The number of public electric vehicle chargers in the U.S. has doubled during President Biden’s term, with about 1,000 being added each week, according to the Department of Transportation.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2024

DOE doles out another $50M to support EV manufacturing

The Biden-Harris administration said the funding will go to six states with “significant automotive workforces” to help suppliers adapt their facilities.

By Haley Cawthon • Aug. 26, 2024

GM Fort Wayne plant cuts natural gas use by 30%, wins DOE award

General Motors’ assembly plant captures waste heat from landfill gas-powered generators. The recovered heat can provide over 80% of the site’s building heating needs, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 20, 2024

With 10 new climate resilience centers, DOE aims to translate research into local action

Researchers will work on actionable science and tools to help local stakeholders combat extreme heat, flooding, drought and more, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 20, 2024

More efficient electric vehicles can reduce grid stress, cut charging costs by almost a third: ACEEE

Improving average EV efficiency could also help reduce vehicle prices by almost $5,000, according to research published Tuesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2024

New York encourages electrification with new grid planning process, affordability pilot

“The rate at which consumers are electrifying buildings and vehicles has the potential to outpace the existing grid planning processes,” the New York Public Service Commission said.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2024

Reconciling two competing goals: residential electrification and grid stability

By focusing on distributed resources, utilities will avoid overloading individual distribution feeder circuits and expensive upgrades that greater electrification might otherwise require.

By Jerry Jackson • Aug. 13, 2024

GSA updates federal building standards in clean energy push

The latest P100 update, which applies to 300,000 federal buildings, mandates clean energy use in facilities and sets new benchmarks for efficiency.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 12, 2024

Bill Gates-backed energy investment firm pulls in $839M for new climate fund

Breakthrough Energy Ventures’ third fund will have an investment focus similar to that of its predecessors and target five key areas in climate innovation, including energy and transportation.

By Zoya Mirza • Aug. 9, 2024

Steering gas utilities toward calmer seas with an eye to the electric experience

State regulators need to begin assembling their tools to manage the impact of the energy transition — on both gas customers and the electric grid — before crises in affordability and reliability are upon us.

By Sarah Steinberg and Brad Cebulko • July 30, 2024

US cities sharpen focus on building performance standards to meet net-zero goals

Over 40 cities will have these standards in place by 2026, compelling building owners to prioritize energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures, according to a report from JLL.

By Nish Amarnath • July 29, 2024

Sunrun, BGE launch first US electric vehicle-to-home virtual power plant

The initiative kicks off with just three customers but is “a significant proof of concept ... and the goal is to expand these programs all around the country,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2024

Cities plan renewable energy, electrification projects as EPA unveils $4.3B in climate grants

The grants “put local governments in the driver’s seat to develop climate solutions that work for their communities,” a federal official said. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 24, 2024

EnergyHub to integrate Wallbox L2 chargers into grid flexibility programs

About 80% of EV charging occurs at home, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, making residential customers a key to utilities looking to manage growing demand.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2024