Efficiency & Demand Response
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Bipartisan efficiency legislation targets buildings, industry and federal government
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, have introduced efficiency legislation together for years with little success. Advocates say the new bill is the best yet, but it faces builder opposition.
By Robert Walton • July 22, 2019 -
Cincinnati to add more EVs to its city fleet
The city is also engaging in programs to increase citizens' awareness of and exposure to EVs through partnerships with local and regional bodies.
By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2019 -
Rockefeller grant to tackle 'energy poverty' in emerging economies
Four universities split the $3.8 million grant to use data to predict electricity demand in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
By Jason Plautz • July 17, 2019 -
Colorado regulators cancel Black Hills Energy TOU pilot amid concerns for low-income customers
The PUC chairman suggested combining TOU with demand side management could better empower low income customers to take control of their bills.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 17, 2019 -
Toyota to partner with world's largest electric car battery supplier
The partnership will help Toyota secure supply in an increasingly competitive race to scale up EV production in the next five to 10 years.
By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2019 -
Tendril targets utility customer care trend, merges into a new platform
The company shifted its strategy from acquiring market leaders to providing end-to-end service to customers through a more integrated load management platform.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 16, 2019 -
VW and Ford expand partnership on EVs, AVs
Volkswagen will invest $2.6 billion in Argo AI, signaling the latest collaboration between major automakers adapting to new mobility trends.
By Jason Plautz • July 15, 2019 -
Arizona's new EV growth plan could save customers billions, groups say
State regulators on Thursday approved guidelines for electric vehicle pilot programs that include a focus on infrastructure, education and outreach as well as an analysis of where to locate charging stations.
By Robert Walton • July 12, 2019 -
US Green Building Council seeks proposals to strengthen new LEED standard
The council wants input on how to shape the next version of its rating system following the April release of v4.1.
By Kim Slowey • July 12, 2019 -
Home Energy Reports: Still the 'biggest, baddest way' to drive customer behavior
Tweaking customer behavior is becoming more imperative and a combination of solutions basically tells customers, "You suck at using energy. Come buy a smart thermostat."
By Robert Walton • July 10, 2019 -
National parks get EV chargers through BMW partnership
One hundred EV chargers are being installed at parks across the country with industry-standard plugs for use across different brands.
By Jason Plautz • July 10, 2019 -
OpinionDemand response is dead. Long live Flexiwatts!
Load-shifting demand response is available to help with California's renewable integration, and can effectively mitigate the Duck Curve, but first it needs to be rebranded.
By Lillian Mirviss • July 10, 2019 -
Report: Volkswagen pursues joint ventures with suppliers to secure EV production
Automakers looking to transition to electric vehicles face challenges sourcing the lithium and cobalt they need to produce a sufficient quantity of batteries.
By Morgan Forde • July 09, 2019 -
Siemens finds 75% carbon emissions reduction potential for Pittsburgh by 2030
The company's City Performance Tool found the city could exceed its climate goals by expanding district heating systems and implementing electric buses and car-sharing, among other initiatives.
By Cailin Crowe • July 09, 2019 -
DOE gas furnace, water heater efficiency proposal will cost consumers billions, NGOs warn
The U.S. Department of Energy wants to issue an "interpretive rule" that opponents say will freeze standards for residential furnaces and commercial water heaters that use natural gas or propane.
By Robert Walton • July 08, 2019 -
US mayors recognized for climate protection efforts focused on EVs, renewables
Los Angeles and Fayetteville, Arkansas took home top awards related to support for electric vehicles and solar power, respectively, while 10 other cities received honorable mentions at the 13th Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards.
By Jason Plautz • July 03, 2019 -
Xcel, Minnesota Power propose subscription services, lower demand charges to propel EV growth
Adoption of electric vehicles has been relatively modest in Minnesota so far, but sales grew by 103% in the state from 2017 to 2018.
By Robert Walton • July 03, 2019 -
Opinion
Market transformation: Moving beyond traditional energy efficiency programs to cement change
Energy efficiency programs have been operating in various markets for more than 30 years, but their energy savings potential is shrinking, Navigant's Jan Harris writes.
By Jan Harris • July 03, 2019 -
Utah approves Rocky Mountain Power's 600-battery apartment project
The Public Service Commission approved three demand-side management projects authorized by a 2016 law, focused on electrified transportation, storage and grid management.
By Robert Walton • July 02, 2019 -
FERC rejects PJM tariff proposal to require year-round demand response resources
Demand response advocates say the decision "removes the sword that's been hanging over the market."
By Robert Walton • July 01, 2019 -
Volkswagen launches EV car-sharing program
WeShare consists of entirely electric vehicles, a rarity in car-sharing programs, and doesn't require users to drop off vehicles at fixed locations.
By Katie Pyzyk • July 01, 2019 -
Canada aligns with California on clean car standards
Canada previously aligned with the U.S. on vehicle emissions rules, but is re-evaluating that after the Trump administration moved to weaken standards.
By Jason Plautz • June 28, 2019 -
Tesla receives tariff exclusion on Japanese aluminum imports, amid concerns over battery production
The decision is a victory for the company, which uses aluminum to manufacture electric vehicle batteries.
By Morgan Forde • June 27, 2019 -
As Trump administration pursues wide-ranging changes on energy efficiency, states, others fight back
A Department of Energy proposal would ease the ability of manufacturers to temporarily avoid testing to determine whether their products meet federal efficiency standards.
By Robert Walton • June 26, 2019 -
California regulators propose 2 GW new peak capacity to address reliability concerns
The state's Public Utilities Commission has launched a procurement track that could include renewables, storage, demand response and other resources, while limiting imports.
By Robert Walton • June 26, 2019
