Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response

  • Plumes of steam rise from data center buildings.
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    Courtesy of Google
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    Smaller, public utilities see growth potential in data centers, but there are risks: APPA

    Utility leaders can take steps to attract potentially lucrative large loads while mitigating risks for existing customers, the American Public Power Association says.

    By Brian Martucci • April 24, 2025
  • Electric equipment on the side of a house.
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    The image by Ben Paulos is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Enphase to absorb bulk of China tariff hit this year: CEO

    The U.S.-based battery and electrical equipment provider is working to reduce its China exposure amid tariff and domestic policy uncertainty, executives said Tuesday.

    By Brian Martucci • April 23, 2025
  • Steam rising from a power plant with construction equipment in the foreground.
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How AI data centers can support grid reliability in Texas and across the US

    An Enhanced Reliability Interconnection framework would prioritize connections to the grid for large loads that improve reliability through flexibility and behind-the-meter generation.

    By Gideon Powell and Josh T. Smith • April 22, 2025
  • Man wades in flooded street in front of apartment buildings
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    Megan Varner via Getty Images
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    Atlanta to launch Climate Resilience Action Plan

    The city plans to move forward even as federal support is uncertain and the plan’s focus on energy burden equity has put it in the Trump administration’s crosshairs.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 21, 2025
  • Bumper-to-bumper cars emerge from a tunnel onto a midtown Manhattan street.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    New York expands EV purchase, charging equipment incentives

    New York is making $30 million available to assist with the lease or purchase of new electric vehicles. The state is also expanding efforts to reduce equipment installation costs for Level 2 chargers.

    By • April 21, 2025
  • A large hallway with supercomputers inside a server room at a cloud data center
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    luza studios via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Small data centers, big impact: How demand response can fuel the energy transition

    Smaller data centers and other commercial and industrial sources can play a key role in stabilizing the grid by participating in demand response programs and implementing battery storage solutions.

    By Rachel Permut • April 18, 2025
  • Schneider, data center consulting
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    alacatr via Getty Images
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    Schneider Electric debuts data center consulting service

    EcoConsult for Data Centers offers a road map to boost operational efficiency, maximize uptime and extend equipment and facility service life, Schneider says.

    By Brian Martucci • April 17, 2025
  • Steam rises from a power plant with construction equipment in the foreground.
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The US is facing unprecedented load growth. Here’s how we ensure resource adequacy.

    Adding sufficient resources fast enough to reliably meet the growth will require an array of demand- and supply-side resources as well as stronger transmission interconnection planning.

    By Samuel Newell • April 17, 2025
  • An array of solar panels.
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    Retrieved from US Army Corps of Engineers.
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    Opinion

    Why microgrids are the key to grid resilience

    Amid evolving domestic and geopolitical landscapes, microgrids offer a reliable, cost-effective energy solution — advancing the nation toward energy independence and security for years to come.

    By Nicole Bulgarino • April 15, 2025
  • Puerto Rico's capitol building in San Juan
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    "The Capitol of Puerto Rico" by Jorge Láscar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    LUMA installs Puerto Rico’s first smart meter

    Through a partnership with Itron, the smart meter installations are starting in the capital of San Juan and will extend island-wide over three years, LUMA says.

    By • April 15, 2025
  • Chevrolet Bolt EV charging Chicago
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    More public EV charging, including curbside, envisioned in Chicago plan

    “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago,” CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney said.

    By Ryan Kushner • April 14, 2025
  • The exterior of Brockton, Massachusetts, City Hall.
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    "City Hall" [Photograph]. Retrieved from City of Brockton, Massachusetts.
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    Brockton, Mass., leverages energy savings contract to preserve, improve two historic buildings

    New window, lighting and HVAC systems aim to reduce energy and improve air quality, including in one building that has been unusable in extreme weather. 

    By Joe Burns • April 11, 2025
  • The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen at night
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    Kent Nishimura via Getty Images
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    Bill to undo Biden-era water heater efficiency rule heads to Trump’s desk

    Republicans say former President Biden “waged war on our home appliances” and are looking to undo energy efficiency rules and standards.

    By • April 11, 2025
  • A gravel lot in a field with industrial equipment.
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    drnadig via Getty Images
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    Liberty Energy to deploy modular gas-fired ‘power blocks’ at Pennsylvania industrial site

    The rapidly deployable systems could support a scalable data center or other large-load industrial client using fuel sourced from the surrounding Marcellus Shale, the company said.

    By Brian Martucci • April 9, 2025
  • A light gray Chevrolet Bolt EV parked outside at a charging station at a Chevrolet dealer in Colma, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    EnergyHub partners with GM to use EVs as grid resources

    General Motors’ sales of electric vehicles jumped 94% in the first quarter. EnergyHub said its managed EV charging programs can help utilities maintain grid stability as EV demand rises.

    By • April 9, 2025
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    Courtesy of GE Vernova
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    US electricity demand will grow 50% by 2050, electrical manufacturer study finds

    Data centers and transportation electrification will drive U.S. electricity demand about 2% higher each year for the next quarter century, according to a new analysis completed for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

    By • April 7, 2025
  • data center construction, CBRE, Virtiv, Tecogen
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    DOE offers 16 locations for possible data center, energy infrastructure development

    The federal government is seeking input on data center “power needs, timelines, and approaches to co-locating energy sources with data centers or sources for surplus interconnection capacity.”

    By • April 4, 2025
  • A person in a blue pinstripe suit looks straight ahead.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump guts LIHEAP, threatening $378M in energy assistance already approved by Congress

    State energy assistance programs have funding to continue short-term operations, but the elimination of federal staff threatens the long-term stability of a popular program, experts say.

    By • April 2, 2025
  • In an aerial view, solar panels are seen at MCE Solar One solar farm on April 25, 2024 in Richmond, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    PG&E announces microgrid awards for $43M as Sunrun joins its 2025 VPP

    The nine microgrid projects will serve about 9,000 customers in disadvantaged or vulnerable Northern California communities, the utility said.

    By Brian Martucci • April 2, 2025
  • Blue and white passenger train at a station with people on the platform at night.
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    Courtesy of Stadler
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    Where battery and hydrogen-powered trains are coming to US commuter rail

    Three global train manufacturers with zero-emission trains operating in Europe are vying for U.S. contracts.

    By Dan Zukowski • April 1, 2025
  • Rear aerial view of of a data center being constructed in Ashburn, VA
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Utilities should develop data center tariffs to protect consumers, decarbonize: SWEEP

    Rising data center electricity demands threaten utility decarbonization efforts, potentially requiring fossil fuel generation and pulling renewables away from other electrification efforts, per a Southwest Energy Efficiency Project report.

    By • March 28, 2025
  • A General Motors Co. truck charges inside a garage.
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    Courtesy of Pacific Gas & Electric Company
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    GM Energy joins PG&E bidirectional EV charging pilot in California

    Certain electric vehicle owners are now eligible for discounts on charging equipment that can be used to power homes during blackouts.

    By Kalena Thomhave • March 28, 2025
  • Schneider Electric, data centers, microgrid
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    Courtesy of Schneider Electric
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    Schneider Electric to invest $700M in US manufacturing

    The investment will help expand production of electric grid equipment and research into microgrids and AI-driven automation.

    By Kate Magill • March 27, 2025
  • A SPAN Edge device attached to an electricity meter on the side of a house.
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    Courtesy of Span
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    Span unveils at-the-meter load control device for utilities

    The SPAN Edge device will be used in a Pacific Gas & Electric residential customer virtual power plant this year.

    By • March 26, 2025
  • A map of the U.S. showing Renew Home's managed load.
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    Courtesy of Renew Home
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    Renew Home to roll out new VPP features this summer

    Renew Home will work with energy providers to incorporate up-to-date tariffs and grid or capacity constraints into an aggregated resource that can dispatch within five minutes, the company said.

    By Brian Martucci • March 25, 2025