Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response
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Biden administration will define zero emissions for buildings
The definition will draw on energy-efficiency guidelines, 100% clean energy usage and a requirement for buildings to generate zero emissions on-site, White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi said.
By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 2, 2023 -
DOE
DOE finalizes gas furnace efficiency rule, potentially saving consumers $25B over 30 years
The new standards require 95% efficiency for non-weatherized gas furnaces and those used in mobile homes.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2023 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineEnergy Efficiency
Energy efficiency continues to be the ‘low-hanging fruit’ for reducing emissions. While the Biden administration is working to advance efficiency on multiple fronts, state and utility progress can be uneven.
By Utility Dive staff -
Utilities press for White House meeting to lobby against proposed transformer rules
Opponents say DOE’s proposed efficiency rules would produce only small gains while further delaying procurement times for the critical equipment.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2023 -
‘Keep up the pace’: DOE gains on appliance efficiency standards with potential to save $570B
There are almost 40 appliance energy efficiency standards scheduled for completion by late 2024, say conservation advocates.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2023 -
Sponsored by Palo Alto Networks
Visibility: The foundation for securing OT in the utility sector
Having a thorough awareness of all the resources and devices in a network is the first step in laying a stronger security foundation.
By Navneet Singh, VP of Network Security Marketing at Palo Alto Networks • Sept. 25, 2023 -
Permission granted by Schneider Electric
Retrofits can cut office building emissions by up to 70%: Schneider Electric
New research from the company says its digital building and power-management tools can slash up to 42% of operational carbon emissions, while eliminating fossil fuels can cut an additional 28%.
By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 21, 2023 -
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Deep DiveRising electrification requires a dramatic shift to integrated planning of DER, bulk resources: Xcel VP
Effective distribution system planning and merging analytic insights into comprehensive electricity planning both face barriers, analysts and stakeholders said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2023 -
DOE makes $400M available to assist states, territories in adopting energy-efficient building codes
Adoption of new building energy codes could save consumers up to $178 billion over three decades, the Department of Energy estimates.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2023 -
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Sponsored by SenseSavings inside the meter: Real-time embedded software could save utilities over $1 billion annually
Access to real-time data leads to major cost savings. The annual conservation benefit derived from Sense-enabled smart meters (before the implementation of any load flexibility programs) could exceed $1.3 billion annually by the end of the decade.
Sept. 18, 2023 -
Manufacturers, efficiency advocates reach agreement on rules for refrigerators, other appliances
The joint support “clears the path ahead” for new standards, said Appliance Standards Awareness Project Executive Director Andrew deLaski.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2023 -
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Sponsored by Copper LabsAs grids struggle, is it time to revisit our approach to residential demand response?
With a warming climate and an evolving energy system, energy grids are facing new challenges to reliability. A more dynamic and performance-based approach to load flexibility could help.
Sept. 11, 2023 -
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Deep DiveHow utilities are partnering with GM, BMW, Lyft and others in the auto sector to accelerate EV adoption
Automakers and utilities “are now partners until the end of time, whether they like it or not,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2023 -
Permission granted by Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Big River Steel to pay $22M for receiving MISO demand response payments without cutting load
Entergy Arkansas agreed to return $8.2 million to its customers via bill credits, according to a FERC-approved agreement.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 28, 2023 -
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Utility efficiency spending falls, leading to 5.4% drop in energy savings: ACEEE
In a bright spot, utility spending on low-income energy efficiency programs has risen over the last three years, though advocates say it is “still too low.”
By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2023 -
2 Tesla virtual power plants cleared to provide energy to Texas electric grid
The pair of aggregated Powerwalls are the first of eight virtual power plants participating in an Electric Reliability Council of Texas pilot project.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2023 -
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Texas grid weathers steamy week, 2 calls for conservation, as experts urge more efficiency investment
Efficiency advocates say Texas continues to underinvest in demand-side solutions that could help to reduce grid stress and lower monthly power bills.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2023 -
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OpinionVirtual power plants: Resource adequacy without interconnection delays
VPPs can be implemented today, but much more needs to happen to accelerate this transition at scale.
By Ryan Hledik, Kala Viswanathan and Kate Peters • Aug. 17, 2023 -
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For stretch energy codes, Massachusetts gets nearly $4M DOE grant
The grant will provide field-based training to local building code officials and help communities share regional best practices.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 16, 2023 -
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Heat pumps can decarbonize food and beverage processing, but report warns of bottlenecks
Regulators will need to develop new rates for processing facilities, address difficulties created by demand charges and encourage demand response, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2023 -
Sunrun
US virtual power plants expected to proliferate as reliability needs rise with increasing renewables
Battery storage and smart appliances make virtual power plants a viable option to address the intermittency of renewable energy.
By Patrick Cooley • Aug. 14, 2023 -
Permission granted by Questline Digital
Sponsored by Questline DigitalHow utilities are improving residential customer satisfaction
Energy providers ranked highest in customer satisfaction share the best practices behind their success.
Aug. 14, 2023 -
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Department of Energy earmarks $46M to reduce energy waste in buildings
The Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies funding will be channeled toward 29 projects across 15 states.
By Joe Burns • Aug. 10, 2023 -
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New York offers $12M for innovations in EV deployment, load management
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority says the state will need to “rapidly electrify” medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to meet its climate goals.
By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 9, 2023 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM’s future Ultium-based EVs will support vehicle-to-home charging
The bidirectional charging technology uses a GM vehicle’s battery as a backup power source in the event of a power outage.
By Eric Walz • Aug. 8, 2023 -
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Sponsored by ESGInsights that energy customers seek: Differences between US and UK energy providers offer learnings for regional markets
In a new global survey, energy providers made it clear that providing advanced energy usage reporting and analytics are valuable insights for their C&I customers.
Aug. 7, 2023
