Efficiency & Demand Response
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Automakers: New tech, battery advances will curb EV range anxiety
Automakers including Ford, VW and Chevrolet gathered at the Washington Auto Show on Thursday to display new EV offerings and discuss consumer outreach strategies.
By Chris Teale • Jan. 24, 2020 -
New Jersey proposes utilities recover lost revenues, earn bonuses for beating energy savings targets
Utilities would recover lost revenues attributable to energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs, while earning bonuses (or incurring penalties) for performance around targets.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2020 -
Amazon, Lime part of new alliance to accelerate EVs
The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance will demand production of new EV models and infrastructure, especially in the delivery and shipping sectors.
By Jason Plautz • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond
2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Wide gap seen in energy efficiency costs between public utility customer classes, but overall spending rising
A recent study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory pegs the overall cost of public power energy savings at $0.024/kWh — but for residential customers, costs are significantly higher.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: From light bulbs to dishwashers, court battles to continue on DOE's efficiency moves
The U.S. Department of Energy's appliance standards program turned into a policy lightning rod in 2019. Experts anticipate more of the same.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020 -
Mercom: VC funds are increasingly investing in energy storage
Meanwhile, venture capital spending on energy efficiency dipped from $1.5 billion in 2018 to $298 million last year, though the 2018 results were skewed by a single mega deal and funding has been on an overall downward trend.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 21, 2020 -
New York regulators recommend charging infrastructure plan expected to deliver $2.6B in net benefits
The program will cover up to 90% of costs for "make-ready" charging stations to lower cost barriers for developers.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2020 -
DOE energy efficiency thresholds will endanger appliance standards, critics say
Trump says he wants to make dishes "beautiful" again, but efficiency advocates warn his administration is gutting regulations that could save billions in energy costs.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020 -
New York says new renewables financing option to reduce developers' financial risk, save $4.6B
In addition to updating how renewable energy projects in the state are funded, the Public Service Commission directed $2 billion in utility energy efficiency and building electrification spending.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 17, 2020 -
New Jersey sets high standard with passage of EV incentive bill, advocates say
In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy promised to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in two weeks detailing how the state would reach its goal of a 100% clean energy economy by 2050.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Most utilities aren't getting full value from smart meters, report warns
Utilities are spending billions on smart meters, but most are not taking full advantage of their energy-saving capabilities, according to a new analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2020 -
Deep Dive
2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector
From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020 -
Seattle to transition city-owned buildings away from fossil fuels
The first round of building electrification plans are due this summer after an executive order from Mayor Jenny Durkan advancing a Green New Deal.
By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 13, 2020 -
ConEd will redesign NYC commercial building efficiency pilot after participation hurdles
Almost two dozen building operators signed up for the NYC pilot program, but campaign participation dropped over the span of a year — eventually to just four buildings.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 09, 2020 -
Deloitte: Consumer interest in EVs rising, but cost still a barrier
Now 41% of U.S. drivers, up from 29% last year, said they would consider an alternative to a gas-powered car, but range anxiety remains.
By Jason Plautz • Jan. 08, 2020 -
Deep DiveMaking the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions
Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 06, 2020 -
Court rules California can enforce stricter lightbulb standards amid challenges to DOE rollbacks
Environmental advocates estimate the updated standards could save California consumers $2.4 billion annually on utility bills, while avoiding up to 13,600 GWh of annual electricity use.
By Robert Walton • UPDATED: Jan. 17, 2020 at 9:26 a.m. -
DOE finalizes rejection of Obama lightbulb efficiency standards, but excludes LEDs from analysis
Environmental groups say the Trump administration is imposing billions of dollars in costs on consumers in the form of higher electricity bills.
By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 23, 2019 -
Transportation Climate Initiative releases controversial draft plan to cut emissions
Eleven Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia, which comprise the initiative, outlined a proposed framework to cut transport pollution, responsible for 40% of the region's greenhouse gas emissions.
By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 2019 -
US investment in energy efficiency dropped estimated 18% in two years: Report
Despite massive emissions reduction and finance potential, analysis from a trio of efficiency advocates shows the United States' focus on energy savings may have plateaued.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2019 -
New York transit authority to invest $1.1B for 500 electric buses
The agency currently has a request for proposals out for an order of 45 standard electric buses that will be used in each borough starting April 2021.
By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 17, 2019 -
Deep DiveInvestigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition
Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019 -
California approves new energy efficiency frameworks expected to boost emerging technologies
The decision will help early-stage efficiency solutions gain traction in a state that has been a leader on clean energy for years.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2019 -
The rise of cloud computing is having an impact on data center efficiency — and it's not great
In recent years, improvements to data center facility efficiency have flattened — or even slowed — as fewer computers do the actual work.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2019
