Load Management, Efficiency & Demand Response


  • AWS logo at Amazon event
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    Noah Berger via Getty Images
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    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
  • A rendering of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV in a residential garage with GM's vehicle-to-home charging equipment mounted on the wall.
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    Courtesy of General Motors
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    Deep Dive

    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 Dec. 4, 2024
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    Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    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 Nov. 27, 2024
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    Daniel Meglas via Getty Images
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    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
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    Jacob Boomsma via Getty Images
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    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
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    Eoneren via Getty Images
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    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
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    Win McNamee/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    2024 Elections

    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 Nov. 20, 2024
  • The facade of the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. with a reflection of the U.S. flag
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    Timothy Epple via Getty Images
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    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
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    Lisa-Blue via Getty Images
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    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
  • Two people stand next to flames in a barbecue with their hands stretched out over the fire. One person is wrapped in a blanket.
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    Go Nakamura via Getty Images
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    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
  • A woman adjusts a Nest thermostat.
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    Permission granted by Renew Home
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    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
  • President-elect Donald Trump giving the thumbs-up against a background of U.S. flags.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    2024 Elections

    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
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    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
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    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 Nov. 11, 2024
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    creativenature.nl/stock.adobe.com

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    Sponsored by Energy Exemplar

    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
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    stock.adobe.com/Daniel Avram

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    Sponsored by Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors

    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
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    Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
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    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 Nov. 8, 2024
  • Puget Sound Energy's Encogen Generating Station located next to the Bellingham District Energy Utility
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    Retrieved from Corix on October 30, 2024
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    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
  • President Donald Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena on November 04, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    2024 Elections

    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 Nov. 6, 2024
  • Boston, Massachusetts, USA skyline over Boston Common.
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    Sean Pavone
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    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 Nov. 4, 2024
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    istockphoto.com/danchooalex

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    Sponsored by Huron

    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
  • A facade of a Schneider Electric building.
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    Permission granted by Schneider Electric
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    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
  • Solar panels on the rooftop of the Denver federal center in Colorado
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    milehightraveler via Getty Images
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    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
  • A data processing and storage center.
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    Andrey Semenov via Getty Images
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    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 Oct. 30, 2024
  • The hallway of a school leads to a stairwell and windows.
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    TW Farlow via Getty Images
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    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