Articles

Virtual power plants

As utility costs rise, can ‘background’ smart thermostats offer relief?

Millions of smart thermostats auto-adjust temperatures to cut power bills or prioritize clean energy. Some utilities are mulling how that tech can help the grid, too.

By Jeff St. John . 20 April 2026
Batteries

Battery recycling still isn’t easy. Just ask Ascend Elements.

The startup’s recent bankruptcy filing speaks to the larger headwinds facing American battery recyclers as automakers scale back EV plans.

By Julian Spector, Kathryn Krawczyk . 17 April 2026
Solar

What to know before you get balcony solar

States are starting to embrace plug-and-play solar. Get up to speed on the cost, payback, and safety bona fides of the systems before they hit shelves near you.

By Alison F. Takemura . 17 April 2026
Clean energy manufacturing

China exports a ton of cleantech — and the world is poised to want more

The nation’s battery and EV exports in particular have grown in recent years. Now, the Middle East war could spur even more demand for Chinese clean-energy tech.

By Dan McCarthy . 17 April 2026
Batteries

Big grid batteries are finally on a roll in New England

The region's largest battery yet recently came online in Massachusetts, where state climate policies aimed at cleaning up the grid are boosting the tech.

By Julian Spector . 16 April 2026
Food and farms

Federal policy on biofuels goes from bad to worse under Trump

The administration’s lavish biofuel subsidies for farmers are bad for consumers and the planet, but the problem goes way beyond his administration.

By Michael Grunwald . 16 April 2026
Data centers

Georgia Power will now let data centers bring their own clean energy

Large customers served by Georgia Power will soon be able to secure new solar and battery projects. But will that help reduce reliance on new gas plants?

By Jeff St. John . 15 April 2026
Green steel

Stegra lands funding to complete world’s first major green-steel mill

The company said it secured 1.4 billion euros to rescue its financially troubled steel mill, which will use green hydrogen to make metal in northern Sweden.

By Maria Gallucci . 14 April 2026
Geothermal

Vermont’s first neighborhood geothermal project prepares to break ground

The gas utility and affordable housing developers building the system are pressing on with their plan despite the Trump administration’s funding clawbacks.

By Sarah Shemkus . 14 April 2026
Utilities

What to expect as Ohio utility corruption trial heads for a do-over

The trial for two former FirstEnergy execs on criminal charges linked to the HB 6 scandal ended with a hung jury. A retrial is scheduled for September.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 April 2026