Amazon Web Services leans on AI to decarbonize data centers, boost energy efficiency

Amazon’s cloud computing subsidiary has signed a deal with Orbital Materials and made infrastructure updates to boost data center sustainability and energy efficiency.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 4, 2024

When TOU rates aren’t enough: BG&E, 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

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

Data center stakeholders must collaborate to meet clean energy targets: Deloitte

With generative AI driving energy consumption, key players must work together to assess cooling needs and identify heat and wastewater solutions, according to the consulting firm’s report.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 21, 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

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

Trump has threatened energy efficiency, weatherization programs. What happens now?

Manufacturers say they want certainty for their products and supply chains and could press the Trump administration to double the time between efficiency standard reviews.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2024

Local decarbonization, energy efficiency projects get over $17M from DOE

The “highly flexible” grant program allows communities to pursue a broad range of projects, from home energy efficiency rebate programs to workforce training initiatives, according to the Department of Energy.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 15, 2024

Demand response programs can help boost reliability, cut emissions in New York, advocates say

Statewide legislative changes and greater incentives could boost buildings’ participation in demand response programs, according to energy policy experts. 

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 13, 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

NRG, Renew Home aim for 1-GW Texas VPP by 2035

The companies will begin installing Nest and Vivint smart thermostats in Texas homes next spring. They eventually hope to supply capacity equivalent to the peak demand of 200,000 average homes.

By Brian Martucci • Nov. 12, 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

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

Duke Energy signs agreements for 2 GW of data centers in past month: CFO

“You're going to see this kind of burst of activity that will be signing contracts that will come to reality in '27, '28, '29, when we see acceleration of load growth,” said Duke Energy’s Brian Savoy.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 11, 2024

How nodal modeling optimizes data center siting

Data center electricity needs are growing so fast that even bullish forecasts are outdated quickly.

Nov. 11, 2024

Advanced DSM - broader, bigger, better

Learn how DSM is being reshaped as a powerful new tool that can not only reduce demand, but also shape it and even grow it to meet economic and environmental goals.

By Raegan Bond, Partner, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors, Philippe Dunsky, President and Founder, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors • Nov. 11, 2024

FERC approves PJM plan to omit energy efficiency resources from capacity auctions

PJM Interconnection’s current load forecasting methodology “reasonably accounts for energy efficiency measures on the demand side,” the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2024

Corix district energy system launches in Bellingham, Washington, waterfront neighborhood

The system, which captures waste heat for districtwide heating and cooling, is expected to help the district meet Washington state energy code requirements, the Port of Bellingham says. 

By Nish Amarnath • 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

Massachusetts utilities file $5B efficiency plan with focus on ‘thoughtful electrification’

The 2025-2027 Mass Save proposal includes about $1 billion more in efficiency investments than the current three-year plan, with a focus on decarbonizing residential buildings.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2024

How utilities can navigate the energy transition with near-term and long-term actions

Utilities professionals – take these steps to progress toward sustainability while managing rate increases. 

By Ned Calder, Simar Grewal and Anna Veatch • Nov. 4, 2024

Schneider Electric’s North America growth drives Q3 revenue, led by energy management

The company’s North America revenue organically grew 15.1% year over year, to about $3.8 billion, on the back of organic 18.3% year-over-year growth in energy management, it says.

By Nish Amarnath • Updated Nov. 6, 2024

Grid-interactive efficient building systems need robust cybersecurity measures, DOE says

Federal facilities managers must assess the potential risks of GEB systems and understand how they can affect the physical and data security of overarching systems where they are deployed, the Department of Energy says. 

By Brian Martucci • Oct. 30, 2024

EPRI launches data center flexibility initiative with utilities, Google, Meta, NVIDIA

The DCFlex project will establish up to 10 “flexibility hubs” to demonstrate innovative data center and power supplier strategies, the Electric Power Research Institute said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2024

DOE school program helps districts decarbonize, identify best practices

Benchmarking and retrofit implementation are among the categories in which school districts can apply for recognition as part of the Efficient and Healthy Schools program, the Energy Department says.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 29, 2024