Utilities

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
Hydrogen

Experts say blending hydrogen into gas pipelines won't work

Utilities want to extend their infrastructure's useful life. But the evidence suggests the risks and costs far outweigh the negligible emissions-reduction impact.

By Jeff St. John . 29 March 2022
Policy & regulation

Duke Energy's solar plan questioned by North Carolina attorney general

State agencies and pro-solar groups are split over a controversial compromise on net metering. Proponents say it’s a model for rooftop solar. Opponents say it's a step backward.

By Jeff St. John . 23 March 2022
Policy & regulation

FERC Order 2222: Experts offer cheers and jeers for first round of filings

U.S. grid operators have to open up their energy markets to distributed energy. Here's what's good, bad and downright ugly in their initial plans.

By Jeff St. John . 14 March 2022
EV charging

GM and PG&E to test how EVs can power homes during blackouts

Despite the hype from automakers, vehicle-to-home charging is in its infancy. What will it take to scale?

By Jeff St. John . 8 March 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
Grid edge

EnergyHub buys Packetized Energy to get millions of thermostats and EVs to help balance the grid

Utilities need to orchestrate energy-smart devices at a massive scale. This startup's radically distributed approach could help.

By Jeff St. John . 3 March 2022
Solar

Florida bill could obliterate the state's up-and-coming solar industry

Net metering and other solar perks are on the chopping block.

By Elizabeth Djinis . 3 March 2022
Utilities

A net-zero future for gas utilities? Switching to underground thermal networks

Three pilot projects in Massachusetts will connect ground-source heat pumps to heat and cool entire neighborhoods.

By Jeff St. John . 1 March 2022
Grid edge

Virtual Peaker’s platform taps home devices to help utilities balance the grid

The scrappy Kentucky-based startup has landed $16.6M and a slew of big contracts.

By Jeff St. John . 25 February 2022