Xcel balks at regulator’s timeline for Colorado virtual power plant, eyes summer 2025 launch

Developing a virtual power plant that includes “robust” participation by third-party vendors could take about a year longer than the Colorado regulator overseeing the docket has indicated he wants, Xcel Energy said.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2023

AI-driven approaches can expedite building decarbonization: McKinsey

Machine learning, artificial intelligence and physics-based models can accelerate net-zero efforts, providing a more than 100-fold increase in the pace and scale of decarbonization, according to the consulting firm.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 4, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management

In addition to using traditional customer-facing incentive programs, utilities are increasingly harnessing distributed energy resources, including virtual power plants, which can draw on everything from smart thermostats to large-scale batteries.

By Utility Dive staff

Why is it becoming harder to cancel utility demand response programs than it is to cancel cable?

As innovative DR solutions continue to emerge and mature, fostering a robust DR marketplace in which customers can easily sign up for these new opportunities will be crucial for advancing the distributed energy economy.

By Collin Smith • Dec. 4, 2023

China, other regions drive slowdown in global energy intensity improvement: IEA

Energy efficiency efforts around the world must double to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 29, 2023

Puget Sound Energy, AutoGrid aim to develop a 100-MW virtual power plant by 2025

With plans to add about 15 GW of resources by 2045, including about 3.7 GW of demand-side and distributed resources, Puget Sound Energy aims to scale up its VPP over time.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 28, 2023

Colorado regulators want to move quickly on Xcel virtual power plant

The utility, however, has cautioned that a proposed timeline may be too aggressive for the complicated project.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 22, 2023

DOE grants aim to expand clean energy workforce, enhance building efficiency

The $40 million-plus funding will add new building training and assessment centers and industrial assessment centers, which provide technical assistance to commercial and institutional buildings and some manufacturers. 

By Joe Burns • Nov. 20, 2023

How to finance the world’s growing cooling needs? Blended public-private funding solutions.

On a massive scale, we need third-party private sector financing solutions and targeted funding from international development and government agencies to spur investment in higher efficiency cooling equipment.  

By Bob Hinkle • Nov. 20, 2023

ERCOT drops plans to add 3 GW for winter reliability after ‘zombie’ power plants fail to bid

Looking ahead, the grid operator said it believes there is “tremendous potential in expanding demand response capabilities” to help keep the Texas grid reliable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2023

PSE&G proposes 6-month, $306M extension of successful energy efficiency offerings

Plans for a second, 2.5-year cycle of the Clean Energy Future-Energy Efficiency program will be filed in December, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2023

Energy efficiency measures could save buildings more than 31% annually, study finds

The nine Atlanta commercial buildings in the Joulea pilot project combined can reduce their energy use by 19.7 million kilowatt hours and save $2.2 million per year, the company said.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 13, 2023

Mandatory energy disclosures can aid collaboration and sustainability in the cannabis industry

By embracing such disclosures, we can enhance the controlled environment agricultural industry, promote efficient energy use and bridge the gap between growers and regulators.

By Bob Gunn • Nov. 8, 2023

Google taps ‘carbon-intelligent’ computing platform to help maintain grid reliability in power crises

The platform, originally built to help Google achieve 24/7 clean energy use, has proven to be effective as a demand response mechanism, Google says.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 7, 2023

ASHRAE releases guide on how grid interactivity can accelerate decarbonization

The guide offers best practices and considerations for carbon emissions reduction, energy usage optimization and operational cost savings, the organization says.

By Joe Burns • Nov. 7, 2023

Heat pumps are hot, but commercial retrofits face cold realities

Government decarbonization strategies call for widespread deployment of heat pumps for building heating and cooling, but experts warn of retrofit costs, disruption and other concerns.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 1, 2023

IRA-driven electrification, other steps could cut building GHG emissions up to 70%: EPA

Inflation Reduction Act incentives could reduce building greenhouse gas emissions through 2035 more than emissions in any other end-use sector, according to a recent EPA report.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 31, 2023

DOE touts $18.5B in business energy savings through Better Buildings Initiative

Public- and private-sector entities have cut costs while reducing energy use and emissions, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s latest report.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 25, 2023

Microsoft leans on renewable energy PPAs, energy efficiency in environmental efforts

“Ensuring our buildings are energy efficient is a key first step in reducing emissions,” the tech giant said in its 2022 Environmental Report.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 25, 2023

New Mexico approves early closure agreement for Xcel’s coal-fired Tolk power plant

Under the agreement approved by New Mexico regulators, Xcel will only run Tolk “when it is economically beneficial for customers,” the Sierra Club said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2023

AI is enhancing electric grids, but surging energy use and security risks are key concerns

The power demands of artificial intelligence could grow almost fivefold by 2028, said Sreedhar Sistu, vice president of artificial intelligence offers for Schneider Electric.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2023

How facilities managers can transition away from fossil fuels

Building decarbonization is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires forward planning starting now, says Dan Arant, manager of North America sales at the energy and ESG division of Brightly.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 23, 2023

DOE announces ‘largest-ever investment in America’s grid,’ giving $3.5B across 44 states

The first round of funding under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program will boost U.S. renewable capacity by more than 10% within this decade, said DOE officials.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2023

Utilities, charging companies battle over EV fast chargers, slowing deployment amid massive needs

State and federal policies are driving utilities and EV charger providers to transform U.S. transportation. They have found common ground in some areas but cannot agree on the utility role in fast charging deployment.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2023

Utah is most energy-efficient state, South Carolina is the least: WalletHub

More than 84% of energy efficiency businesses are reporting difficulty in finding employees, according to new data from national business group E2 and nonprofit E4TheFuture.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2023

DOE launches ‘Earthshot’ to reduce energy costs 20% in affordable housing

The federal effort comes as new data shows electricity price inflation outpacing increases to the overall consumer price index.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2023