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

Why utilities should align with IRA funding and expand to whole-home DSM

Discover how aligning utility programs with IRA-funding for whole-home DSM programs cuts costs, provides opportunities for stacked funding and streamlines electrification.

By Jonathan Budner • Dec. 16, 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

The EV transition is taking time. That’s expected.

If all new car sales right now were EVs — a target for more than a dozen states by 2035 — it would still take at least a decade, and likely far longer, to fully transition to electric vehicles.

By Trey M. Gowdy • Dec. 13, 2024

California approves $1.4B to deploy 17,000 EV chargers, hydrogen fueling infrastructure

California has about 152,000 public and shared private chargers installed today, and it expects that number to reach 250,000 in the next few years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2024

EVs leap to almost 9% of US light duty vehicle sales in Q3: EIA

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles combined were 21.2% of new-vehicle sales in the quarter, EIA said.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2024

Rivian to open its charging network to all EV drivers

The move follows Tesla’s decision to open its Superchargers to other automakers to improve public access and promote EV adoption.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 9, 2024

GM sells stake in Ultium Cells joint venture battery plant

The plant is one of three U.S. facilities that the automaker planned to operate as part of its joint venture with LG Energy Solution.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 5, 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

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 Biden administration.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 3, 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

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 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

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

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

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