Batteries

Why batteries, not gas plants, should be data centers’ first choice

A new report from Georgetown and Duke researchers looks at the advantages of using batteries to meet data center demand — and offers some advice for states.

By Jeff St. John . 3 November 2026

A large gray-sided data center and adjacent power infrastructure behind a fence — An Aligned Data Centers facility in West Jordan, Utah (Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Transmission

PJM desperately needs grid batteries. Here’s a way it could get some.

The nation's biggest grid operator is about to start working on a fix that would make it much easier to add batteries to existing power plants and solar and wind farms.

By Jeff St. John . 29 October 2026
Electric vehicles

Ford’s new EV pickup will come with more affordable home-power backup

Owners of the Ford Fathom, starting at under $30,000, can power their homes without buying a costly bidirectional charger. Will other automakers follow?

By Jeff St. John . 27 October 2026
Batteries

Massachusetts sets big battery goals — and the policies to back them up

Energy storage is taking off as the state moves to make development easier and more profitable, but the horizon isn’t all clear for the sector.

By Sarah Shemkus . 26 October 2026
Batteries

As US grid batteries surge, risk of fires plummets

Concerns about fires loom large in communities, but data shows the tech is no more at risk of failure than boring legacy infrastructure like substation transformers.

By Julian Spector . 23 October 2026
Batteries

Illinois needs batteries. Will a new incentive program help?

New York has had success with a similar model, though Illinois’ first procurement under the new program resulted in less energy storage deals than hoped for.

By Kari Lydersen . 19 October 2026
Data centers

A new class of batteries helps data centers play nicely with the grid

Startup ON.Energy says its new AI UPS system protects data centers from grid power surges and grids from data center disruptions.

By Jeff St. John . 15 October 2026
Batteries

What to say to Californians worried about grid batteries

Large-scale batteries are safer than ever, but a few battery fires have spurred public backlash. Clean energy experts are working to win back trust.

By Jeff St. John . 13 October 2026
Electric vehicles

Tesla is now making more EVs that can double as a home battery

While other vehicle-to-home systems rely on customers installing pricey bidirectional chargers, Tesla embeds the power-conversion hardware in the cars themselves.

By Jeff St. John . 6 October 2026
Solar

North Carolina food bank gets microgrid backup for future storms

Marshall’s Beacon of Hope was spared during Hurricane Helene. Thanks to a state grant, solar panels and batteries make it even better prepared to help its community.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 October 2026
Food and farms

This startup helps food carts switch loud, dirty generators for batteries

A battery-swapping experiment in NYC lets vendors access clean power without having to buy the systems or charge them. The approach promises big cost savings.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 30 September 2026