Grid edge

Batteries

A Texas data center will open sooner thanks to an offline grid battery

While Eolian makes important upgrades to a 100-megawatt battery, the company will lend that grid connection to help CyrusOne’s data center get up and running.

By Julian Spector . 22 January 2026
Virtual power plants

Massachusetts tries a market for distributed energy to tame grid costs

National Grid’s new marketplace seeks batteries, EV chargers, and other distributed energy resources to help relieve stressed grid circuits. Here’s how it works.

By Jeff St. John . 21 January 2026
EV charging

Want to plug more EVs into the grid? Don’t charge them all at once.

A new report highlights how utilities can save big by spreading out when EVs charge — as long as drivers have full batteries when they need them.

By Jeff St. John . 15 January 2026
Data centers

PJM needs flexible data centers. Here’s a blueprint.

The nation's biggest power market has to find a way to prevent data centers from driving up electricity costs. A new report has a solution.

By Jeff St. John . 7 January 2026
Climatetech finance

Can AI chips make the grid smarter? Utilidata raises $60M to find out.

Utilidata and Nvidia think their AI-enabled smart meters can help solve tricky grid challenges, from growing data center demand to more rooftop solar and EVs.

By Jeff St. John . 29 April 2025
Grid edge

California’s patchwork push to scale up virtual power plants

The state has created more ways for solar-and-battery-equipped homes to get paid to help the grid — but not enough to save the crashing rooftop solar market.

By Jeff St. John . 22 February 2024
EV charging

EVs are one step closer to becoming roaming grid batteries

A new vehicle-to-grid (V2G) standard could make it much easier for EVs to share data and power — and save money for drivers and utilities alike.

By Jeff St. John . 20 February 2024
Climatetech finance

Swell Energy acquires Renu to help build virtual power plants

The startup aims to combine privately owned batteries into grid resources. Renu, a regional battery installer, will help Swell access new markets.

By Eric Wesoff . 7 February 2024
Grid edge

Smart thermostats are helping Arizona's grid ride out brutal heat

Amid soaring temperatures, Arizona has seen success with utility programs that incentivize people to turn down the AC when the power grid is stressed.

By Jeff St. John . 14 September 2023
Podcast

Can the V2X dream become reality?

GM’s V2X lead Ty Jagerson talks through the challenges and benefits of vehicle-to-everything charging.

Play

By Shayle Kann . 39 min . 31 August 2023