Utilities

Batteries

In a first, a data center is using a big battery to get online faster

Aligned Data Centers will pay to build a 31-megawatt battery, an early example of how AI developers can move fast if they’re willing to be flexible.

By Julian Spector . 24 October 2025
Utilities

The complicated reality behind rising power prices

Post-disaster repairs and continued fossil-fuel reliance aren’t helping power prices, but data centers may not spell doom after all.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 24 October 2025
Utilities

North Carolina mulls how to manage power demand from data centers

Load flexibility was a big topic at a recent state gathering of policymakers, industry, and advocates. But questions remain about how to best put it into practice.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 23 October 2025
Solar

Why one Ohio couple is suing their city over rooftop solar fees

The city's utility says the charge is only fair to customers without solar, but the couple argues it’s an illegal penalty. The dispute echoes a nationwide debate.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 23 October 2025
Offshore wind

America’s biggest offshore wind farm will be online in six months

Dominion Energy’s 2.6 GW project off Virginia’s coast is progressing fast. The utility has a new, more definitive target to plug into the grid: March 2026.

By Clare Fieseler . 9 October 2025
Utilities

How data centers can move fast without breaking things

A new analysis shows that developers and utilities can speed grid connections and lower costs by planning ahead for data centers to be flexible in their power use.

By Jeff St. John . 9 October 2025
Utilities

Duke Energy backs off renewables after North Carolina cuts climate goal

The state repealed the utility’s 2030 emissions target in July. Duke’s response? A plan to slash solar and wind, double down on gas — and burn more coal.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 2 October 2025
Solar

Interconnection bottleneck threatens community solar success in Illinois

One of the state’s largest utilities, Ameren, takes years to approve projects. That’s creating headaches for developers racing to use expiring federal tax credits.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 October 2025
Batteries

Carrier wants to pair batteries with air conditioners to help the grid

Utilities are struggling to meet demand as AI data centers surge. Equipping air conditioners with batteries could be an easy and hugely scalable way to free up electricity supply at peak times.

By Julian Spector . 29 September 2025
Virtual power plants

Virtual power plants may soon provide more electricity to Illinois’ grid

The state has tons of solar, thanks to past laws. Now, legislators are weighing incentives for home batteries that can give the grid clean power in times of need.

By Kari Lydersen . 25 September 2025