Building & Transportation Electrification
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Tennessee university to receive federal funding for EV battery recycling project
Tennessee Tech University will develop a mobile preprocessing hub for EV batteries as part of a $4.8M DOE grant. It’s part of a larger federal effort to improve EV battery recycling economics, a priority for the outgoing Biden administration.
By Megan Quinn • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Deep Dive
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 -
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 -
Rivian lands conditional $6.6B loan from the Department of Energy
The funds would revive construction of the company’s electric vehicle factory in Georgia.
By Larry Avila • Nov. 27, 2024 -
2024 Elections
2024 election: US electric power sector impacts
The U.S. energy transition continues, but the shape and pace of change will be significantly impacted by the results of the federal election — for some issues more than others.
By Larry Pearl , Diana DiGangi , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland • Nov. 27, 2024 -
North Carolina microgrid EV charging hub is a model for fleet electrification, Duke Energy says
The microgrid, which includes solar, hydrogen, battery storage and other types of generation, includes six total fleet charging stations, ranging from 120 kW to 300 kW, and two level 2 chargers.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 22, 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 -
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 -
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 -
2024 Elections
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 -
Rivian locks in 5-year battery deal with LG Energy Solution
The U.S.-based electric vehicle maker’s agreement shores up its domestic supply chain.
By Larry Avila • Nov. 12, 2024 -
DOE earmarks nearly $150M for 67 clean tech projects at federal facilities
The Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies program grants will save a combined $41.7 million in energy and water costs annually, the Energy Department said.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Transmission is ‘best low-risk, high-growth’ way to play the AI-energy boom, says Sempra CEO
Sempra utility Oncor says it could be selected to build a “significant portion” of more than $13 billion in transmission projects planned for the Permian Basin of Texas through 2038.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2024 -
DOE awards Moment Energy $20.3M to repurpose used EV batteries for energy storage systems
Moment plans to break ground early next year on a 1-GWh Texas factory, which would be “the first UL1974 Certified manufacturing facility in the U.S. dedicated to repurposing EV batteries,” the company said.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 6, 2024 -
2024 Elections
Trump win is ‘setback’ for climate protection, but clean energy advocates say progress will continue
Trump’s victory means a Republican will be selected to lead FERC, which will likely work to rein in transmission incentives, said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen's Energy Program.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2024 -
2024 Elections
As US EV sales growth slows, election results could reverse or reinforce the trend
U.S. electric vehicle sales are rising, though the rate of growth has declined in the past year. The next president can continue support for purchase incentives or seek to cut the popular tax credit, experts say.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2024 -
Tesla energy storage deployments to double in 2024: CFO
Residential Powerwall deployments hit a record for the second quarter in a row as Tesla targets 100 GWh in annual stationary storage shipments, company executives said.
By Brian Martucci • Oct. 28, 2024 -
Arkansas could be a lithium treasure trove
The state’s Smackover Formation region may contain up to 19 million tons of the critical mineral, more than enough to meet projected global demand in 2030.
By Kate Magill • Oct. 28, 2024 -
What does it take to electrify, decarbonize a manufactured home community?
A community-scale retrofit project in Colorado offers a path toward lowering power bills for a population that faces high levels of energy insecurity.
By Leslie Nemo • Oct. 25, 2024 -
ABM to integrate Mainspring Energy’s power generation tool to strengthen EV charging solutions
ABM’s EV charging services for fleet operators include design, engineering and installation, microgrids and power storage and on-site proactive maintenance.
By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 25, 2024 -
Building retrofit data sheds light on energy efficiency: Harvard study
A two-year dataset on a residential-to-office building retrofit shows how low-energy and passive building systems can boost performance and sustainability in future projects, according to a paper published in Scientific Data.
By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 23, 2024 -
AI, data center load could drive ‘extraordinary’ rise in US electricity bills: Bain analyst
Utility revenue requirements to serve growing data center electricity demand could increase customer bills by 1% annually through 2032, according to Bain & Company.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2024 -
Nissan joins ChargeScape EV charging joint venture
The company, along with BMW, Ford and Honda, will deploy electric vehicle charging software aiming to simplify charging and return power to the grid.
By Kalena Thomhave • Oct. 22, 2024 -
Ford inks battery supply deal with LG Energy Solution
Other automakers are also entering into strategic agreements to establish U.S. battery supply chains to qualify for the New Clean Vehicle Tax Credit of up to $7,500 on EVs.
By Eric Walz • Oct. 22, 2024 -
GM invests $625M in lithium production capacity
The automaker is partnering with Lithium Americas to develop the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, where GM agreed to buy up to 100% of lithium produced for 20 years.
By Kate Magill • Oct. 21, 2024 -
Sponsored by Burns & McDonnell
How to take charge of your fleet conversion
Which comes first, the electric vehicle or the infrastructure? For those planning fleet electrification, both must be among the considerations in a comprehensive planning approach.
Oct. 21, 2024