New energy efficiency financing approach vies for grand prize in New York competition

Empower Equity is proposing to install energy efficient equipment for businesses as a subscription, with contracts running between five and 10 years.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 8, 2018

Efficiency leads projected 10% job growth for California's advanced energy sector: AEE

According to a new analysis of 2018 employment rates, one in every six jobs in advanced energy is in California.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 7, 2018

Minnesota co-op breaks ground on first major storage projects in state

The 10 MW of solar joined with 30 MWh of batteries will be the largest combined facility owned by a U.S. co-op and is expected to save Connexus Energy $4 million a year through peak shaving. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2018

Advocates hail passage of Massachusetts clean energy bill but want to take it further

The state's final energy bill is a watered down version of the one passed by the Senate in June.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2018

Recent heat wave provides stress test for US renewables integration

CAISO has called for conservation as a heat wave spiked electricity use. Like other areas of the country, the lights stayed on but also revealed weaknesses in the electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2018

Puerto Rico utility's new deal to relieve about $9B of debt

Debt consolidation may help clear the way for privatization of PREPA. News of the deal raised the value of PREPA's bonds by about 40% on Monday. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Efficiency advocates fear Trump administration may try to roll back light bulb standards

Lighting standards are among the most successful energy efficiency efforts. Why would the White House get in the way?

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Honda offers demand response charging program to EV drivers

The automaker will partner with eMotorWerks to help electric vehicle owners determine the best time to charge.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Dominion targets 3 GW of wind and solar, $870M efficiency spending in grid mod plan

The utility issued the first phase of a larger plan, as directed by Virginia's Grid Transformation & Security Act, which took effect three weeks ago to reshape the state's grid.

By Robert Walton • July 27, 2018

Indiana cost consumers $140M by nixing efficiency program, AEC says

A new analysis from the Applied Economics Clinic joins a host of other research concluding the state's energy efficiency mandate was working before legislators eliminated the program in 2014.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2018

Los Angeles considers $3B pumped storage project at Hoover Dam

The city's municipal utility is studying the potential of using the dam as a giant pumped hydropower plant run by renewables.

By Peter Maloney • July 26, 2018

Aging grids drive $51B in annual utility distribution spending

Major utilities increased capital expenditures to their distribution systems by 54% since 1997, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2018

New York utilities outline 'transformative' uses for blockchain

The four utilities will research blockchain and learn from other industries as the technology evolves, with the ultimate goal of drawing up a joint proof of concept and testing their findings.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 25, 2018

Beyond weatherization: Are utilities doing enough to engage low-income customers?

One woman's quest to bring resources to impoverished communities around Charlotte, N.C., highlights the great need for action from power providers.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2018

Tesla batteries save $500K for Green Mountain Power through hot-weather peak shaving

The utility said its residential battery storage project implemented in Vermont last year reduced peak demand and saved half a million dollars during the July heat wave.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

Study quantifies battery-electric bus environmental benefits

The study found that when averaging results from across the country, electric battery buses are 2.5 times cleaner in terms of lifecycle emissions than diesel buses.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 20, 2018

NRDC urges cities, states to commit to pollution cuts in transportation

A new report says jurisdictions should use more electric vehicles in transit and build more affordable housing near stations.

By Chris Teale • July 20, 2018

How can utilities prepare for the approaching electric vehicle boom?

An electric vehicle boom is coming to the U.S., are you ready?

By Glenn R. George, Ph.D. • July 20, 2018

ACEEE: Rural households pay 40% more for energy than urban counterparts

Utilities and governments can expand efficiency programs to help control costs, report authors argue, and ensure more households can take advantage of retrofit opportunities. 

By Jason Plautz • July 19, 2018

Cities, businesses join international push to promote EVs

The Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Challenge from The Climate Group and C40 Cities seeks to build more purchasing and lobbying power around electric cars.

By Jason Plautz • July 18, 2018

PLMA's leadership in sharing load management expertise

Member and industry partner collaboration creates a strong connection between load management strategy and implementation.

July 18, 2018

Amid heat wave, ERCOT posts new July peak demand record

It's summer: The new July peak comes less than two weeks after the Electric Reliability Council of Texas set its previous record.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2018

Massachusetts House approves study of mobile storage as grid resilience tool

Although it doesn't match the ambitious scope of the state Senate's energy omnibus, the Massachusetts House passed a bill last week advancing energy storage research and its applications.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 17, 2018

Arizona regulators open first US transactive energy docket

Other utility reform dockets have considered elements of transactive energy, but the Arizona Corporation Commission is the first to address the issue in a specific proceeding. 

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

Dallas deploys electric bus fleet

It joins several other cities in electrifying its bus fleet, even with a higher cost of vehicles and construction of charging infrastructure.

By Jason Plautz • July 13, 2018