Efficiency & Demand Response
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US Green Building Council to give 15 cities LEED certification assistance
Bank of America is funding it with a $500,000 grant which will help localities seek LEED v4.1, the latest edition of the green building program.
By Jason Plautz • May 24, 2019 -
States squandering $3B VW settlement fund with lack of EV focus: report
Two NGOs gave failing grades to 14 states and Puerto Rico for failing to prioritize electric vehicles and infrastructure when spending funds that resulted from the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal and resulting settlement.
By Robert Walton • May 24, 2019 -
Utilities have multiple ways to drive lower energy use — on Pecan Street, only price matters
The Austin-based energy testbed consists of more than 1,000 homes and has generated data used in more than 100 academic research papers, including a new analysis of critical peak pricing.
By Robert Walton • May 23, 2019 -
SCE rolls out $356M charging program to spur electric trucks, buses and other large vehicles
Southern California Edison's Charge Ready Transport program is aiming to install charging infrastructure at almost 900 commercial customer sites in the next five years, to support 8,490 electric vehicles.
By Robert Walton • May 21, 2019 -
Deep DiveWant to know if California can make zero emissions by 2045? Here's what to watch
To reach a zero emissions economy, California needs to eliminate natural gas by regionalizing the Western grid and coordinating local and state system planning.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2019 -
AEP, Honda partner to test vehicle-grid integration with used EV batteries
Other automakers such as Nissan, Hyundai and BMW have also inked deals with energy companies to utilize EV batteries with useful capacity that no longer work in vehicles.
By Robert Walton • May 21, 2019 -
Greenlots partners with Columbus Yellow Cab on fast charger network
The stations will help the cabs charge more quickly to maximize efficiency, and will enable Yellow Cab to expand the number of electric taxis in use.
By Jason Plautz • May 17, 2019 -
PJM CEO Ott: Lowering storage durations in Order 841 response will displace demand response resources
The grid operator doesn't want to lower its 10-hour minimum storage duration requirement for capacity market participation at the risk of displacing demand response resources.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 16, 2019 -
Solar, wind industries urge feds to smooth deployment kinks
Transmission, soft cost reductions and greater resource efficiency require federal investment to maximize technology growth, industry leaders told the House Subcommittee on Energy Wednesday.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 16, 2019 -
Deep DiveDOE proposal to roll back lightbulb efficiency puts billions in energy savings on the line
Manufacturers argue the stronger 2017 standards were put in place illegally, but the process-driven debate is putting lower carbon emissions and greater customer choice at risk, efficiency advocates say.
By Robert Walton • May 15, 2019 -
Carbon Disclosure Project recognizes 43 cities for climate, environment policies
Twenty-one American cities received "A" grades from the nonprofit, including Boston, Denver, New York City, San Francisco and Washington.
By Jason Plautz • May 15, 2019 -
Arizona nears EV plan finish line, but one commissioner rallies in opposition
"If you do not want your utility rates to increase to help defray the cost of affluent Arizonans owning new electric vehicles, now is the time to voice your opposition," Commissioner Justin Olson wrote.
By Robert Walton • May 14, 2019 -
South Carolina regulators slash Duke Energy Progress rate hikes, cut $333M coal ash recovery
The Public Service Commission adopted a similar motion reducing another Duke subsidiary's proposed rate hike by 54%, signaling the impact of stakeholders that rallied to oppose the increases.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 09, 2019 -
Sense targets $41B of 'always on' loads as traditional energy saving measures diminish
Consumer electronics and appliances that are never truly turned off are responsible for about 25% of residential energy use, according to the company.
By Robert Walton • May 08, 2019 -
DOE offers $35M for energy-efficient construction tech
The Department of Energy grants will favor techniques such as offsite manufacturing, robotics, digitization, automation and improved modeling.
By Kim Slowey • May 08, 2019 -
EVgo commits to powering chargers with 100% renewable energy
The electric vehicle charging network said it will rely on wind and solar energy, becoming the first in the United States to make such a commitment.
By Chris Teale • May 08, 2019 -
Tendril to acquire EnergySavvy, as utility customer engagement focus grows
The deal "creates a platform that unites all residential utility customer data, analytics and insights in one place," said EnergySavvy CEO Aaron Goldfeder.
By Robert Walton • May 07, 2019 -
Nebraska surprise: State poised to become Midwest building efficiency leader
The state legislature approved adopting international building energy codes that would be the strongest in the region — "not something you'd think would come out of Nebraska," efficiency advocates said.
By Robert Walton • May 06, 2019 -
Virginia approves $226M suite of Dominion efficiency, DR programs through June 2024
The state enacted legislation in 2018 requiring the utility to propose $870 million in energy efficiency programming through 2028.
By Robert Walton • May 03, 2019 -
Green Mountain Power pilots Tesla batteries as meters
The technology uses Powerwall battery packs to measure energy use for 18 months, with plans to test other systems as part of their vision to have batteries in every home.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 02, 2019 -
Los Angeles releases its own 'Green New Deal', ensuring 100% renewables by 2045
The sustainability plan expands and accelerates goals for a cleaner environment, stronger economy and more resilient city.
By Katie Pyzyk • May 02, 2019 -
Deep DiveMarijuana prices have collapsed, forcing growers to focus on energy efficiency
Experts say the biggest opportunities to reduce energy use in the cannabis sector are in the design phase of a new grow operation.
By Robert Walton • May 01, 2019 -
California utilities reject automated demand response incentives for battery storage controls
The state's three large investor-owned utilities say battery installers are more focused on value stacking than participating in existing demand response programs to qualify for Auto-DR incentives.
By Robert Walton • May 01, 2019 -
OpinionIt's the 'largest brake' on greenhouse gases, but we're not pushing hard enough
The numbers show that in the United States, and across much of the world, we’ve made big progress on energy efficiency in the past few decades, proving that we can do more with less.
By Jason Hartke • May 01, 2019 -
Southern California Edison to add 195 MW of energy storage, DR by 2021
Southern California Edison has selected seven energy storage and demand response projects to meet customer reliability needs by 2021 and further decrease the state's reliance on gas.
By HJ Mai • April 30, 2019
