Energy efficiency

Electrification

Climate law could spur ‘market transformation’ in home electrification

The Inflation Reduction Act has tax credits, rebates and loans to make homes more efficient and move them from fossil fuels to electricity.

By Jeff St. John . 16 August 2022
Energy efficiency

Startup Enervee has a new way to help people finance efficient appliances

Enervee's consumer-friendly online marketplace helps utilities get energy-efficient products into more homes. Its new low-interest microloan program could expand its reach.

By Jeff St. John . 5 May 2022
Energy efficiency

Smarter design — not novel tech — could be the real climate game-changer, according to Amory Lovins

The RMI co-founder and energy-efficiency evangelist talks tea cozies for houses, the physics of fatter pipes, and growing mangoes indoors in the Rockies.

By Alison F. Takemura . 21 April 2022
Clean energy

Putin's war will drive a faster shift to clean energy

Motivated to ditch Russian oil and gas, countries in Europe and beyond will find cheaper renewable energy solutions ready and waiting, says analyst Kingsmill Bond.

By Alison F. Takemura . 11 April 2022
Grid edge

Home water heaters: A new ally in making grids cleaner

Smart water heaters can soak up clean power, then turn off when the grid is stressed. A new California utility pilot will test the concept at scale.

By Jeff St. John . 11 April 2022
Grid edge

Goldman Sachs and Shell bet $75M that chain stores can boost grid resiliency

GridPoint will use the funds to expand its work beyond HVAC and lighting controls.

By Jeff St. John . 7 March 2022
Podcast

Unlocking hyperefficient cooling

How growing demand for cooling is producing more heat-trapping greenhouse gases — and what we can do about it.

Play

By Lara Pierpont . 4 March 2022
Policy & regulation

The Texas energy system faces a winter reckoning — again

Texas political leaders say the state is ready to prevent another winter grid collapse. Energy experts disagree.

By Jeff St. John . 2 February 2022
Carbon-free buildings

How to get New York City’s biggest buildings to zero carbon

High-rise buildings can’t eliminate natural gas all at once. But they can and should start electrifying their heating right now.

By Jeff St. John . 20 January 2022
Clean energy

5 clean energy stats that will wow your friends on New Year’s Eve

With these surprising facts at your fingertips, you’ll be the life of the (virtual) party.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 29 December 2021