Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response


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    PJM seeks OK from FERC to end energy efficiency capacity payments

    There is no evidence that capacity payments spur energy efficiency investments, according to the PJM Interconnection, which wants the plan to take effect before a December auction.

    By Sept. 9, 2024
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    imagedepotpro via Getty Images
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    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 Sept. 9, 2024
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    Joey Ingelhart via Getty Images
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    The fallout from PJM’s record-setting capacity auction

    Utilities, power plant owners, state lawmakers and regulators are responding to PJM's latest capacity auction, with an eye on the ones ahead.

    By Sept. 6, 2024
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    Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
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    PJM considers fast-track review for shovel-ready generating projects

    The grid operator expects generators will step in with new supplies in response to high prices in its recent capacity auction.

    By Sept. 5, 2024
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    Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
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    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
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    Haizhan Zheng via Getty Images
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    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
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    alacatr via Getty Images
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    Honeywell, Cisco integrate AI, real-time data on building energy efficiency, utilization

    Adding Cisco Spaces data to Honeywell’s Forge Sustainability+ for Buildings will provide insights into HVAC, lighting and other building systems, the companies say.

    By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 4, 2024
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    EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
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    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
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    onurdongel via Getty Images
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    Better grid edge visibility is key for load forecasting, cost control: Heatmap Labs panel

    Advanced metering infrastructure is already enabling more effective distribution grid operation and planning, but regulatory support and proactive utility investment is needed now, panelists said.

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 28, 2024
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    David Ryder/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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
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    ljubaphoto via Getty Images
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    US clean energy jobs grew 4.2% in 2023: DOE

    The U.S. added clean energy jobs at more than twice the rate of the broader economy, according to the Department of Energy.

    By Aug. 28, 2024
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    Courtesy of Business Wire
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    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
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    The Bold Bureau via Getty Images
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    $66M available for energy efficiency projects in third round of DOE awards

    Fifteen states and two U.S. territories are receiving funds for revolving loan programs facilitating energy efficiency audits, upgrades, retrofits and measures to enhance building comfort, the Department of Energy said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 27, 2024
  • DOE selects 13 states, Virgin Islands for $54M in low-income weatherization, renewables funding

    The largest award goes to New York to expand renewable energy sources, efficiency and health and safety at public housing throughout the state.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
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    Retrieved from General Motors on August 15, 2024
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    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
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    Courtesy of Fluor
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    Opinion

    Surging data center power demand risks subtracting clean energy from the grid

    Regulators and policymakers must react effectively to big tech’s acquisition of renewable resources by driving investments in new dispatchable energy and capacity.

    By Brad Viator • Aug. 16, 2024
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    Kyoshino via Getty Images
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    Budderfly acquires tech for distributed energy resource management

    The company says Sunverge Energy’s system allows it to create virtual power plants that can help improve customer site resiliency and add load flexibility to the grid.

    By Joe Burns • Aug. 14, 2024
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    Permission granted by Enel X Way North America
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    Opinion

    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
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    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images
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    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
  • Two cooling towers at Constellation Energy's 2,300-MW Limerick nuclear power plant in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
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    aimintang via Getty Images
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    Constellation raises 2024 profit guidance amid PJM load growth, tighter power supplies

    Higher output, less downtime and nuclear production tax credit revenue boosted the company’s second-quarter financial performance.

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 8, 2024
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    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How data centers are being used to bypass clean energy goals

    It is possible that real growth is coming for the electricity sector from data centers, electric vehicles and electrification. But that growth can be met without expanding fossil fuels.

    By Patty Durand • Aug. 8, 2024
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    welcomia via Getty Images
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    US households claim $8.4B in efficiency, clean energy tax credits for 2023: Treasury

    The total includes $2.1 billion in energy efficiency tax credits, an amount the Treasury Department expects will grow as more returns are processed.

    By Aug. 7, 2024
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    Andrey Popov via Getty Images
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    AI could halt energy use growth in US buildings: LBNL study

    Combined with policy measures and low-carbon generation, building carbon emissions can decline over 90% by 2050 compared with business-as-usual scenarios, according to national lab researchers.

    By Joe Burns • Aug. 6, 2024
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    Permission granted by Schneider Electric
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    Schneider Electric’s Q2 revenue in North America soars amid growth in energy management

    Energy management revenue organically rose 15.5% year over year, to nearly $3.4 billion in North America, despite contending with supply chain challenges, the company said.

    By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 6, 2024
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    Andrey Semenov via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    It’s time to stop fretting about load growth and get serious about demand-side solutions

    As electricity demand growth fuels a crisis of confidence, utilities and grid operators should prioritize least-cost, least-risk demand-side solutions to deliver valuable grid services.

    By Sara Baldwin • Aug. 6, 2024