Several U.S. states have unveiled new climate action plans or revised existing strategies to achieve their emissions reduction mandates. California, New York, and Michigan are among states that have recently adopted plans to achieve net-zero emissions or to move towards carbon neutrality by mid-century.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 4 announced the first of its kind Smart Home Energy Management System, or SHEMS, which will assist homeowners in obtaining ENERGY STAR certification and creating a one-of-a-kind smart home. SHEMS refers to a package of smart home products that are connected to a central service and enables end…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Dec 19 released a notice of intent to offer $45 million for states and local governments to advance the application of the latest building energy standards to aid in the development of buildings and cut down energy bills for residential and commercial consumers. The Building Energy Codes: Resilient and Efficient…...
The California Independent System Operator Board and the Western Energy Imbalance Market Governing Body have approved both the Energy Storage Enhancements and Resource Sufficiency Energy Enhancements initiatives, according to a Dec. 16 news release. The initiatives are expected to be adopted by the upcoming summer when extreme temperatures create high demand during peak hours. The…...
Demand response (DR) continues to garner attention as a key reliability tool amid the ongoing transition to renewable energy, increased electrification, and extreme weather. Traditionally intended to shed load and prevent blackouts during peak demand periods, DR is increasingly valued for its ability to address imbalances caused by the variability in wind and solar generation.
The Biden administration on Dec. 7 announced the first federal building performance standard and set a goal to reduce energy usage and electrify equipment and appliances in 30 percent of the buildings owned by the federal government by 2030. In addition, the U.S. Energy Department announced a proposed rulemaking to electrify new federal buildings as…
The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on Dec. 6 announced a voluntary curtailment program, which permits large flexible consumers to reduce their electricity usage during periods of elevated demand. The large curtailment program for Large Flexible Loads, or LFL, aims to give bitcoin miners and data centers incentives to reduce usage, since they have…
As the transition to a carbon-free grid relies on the integration of diverse renewable energy resources, the need for long-duration energy storage has become more essential. Storage systems capable of supplying energy for 10 hours or more, or adequate stored energy to provide firm capacity to the grid have been garnering attention to accommodate renewables and support grid stability.
The Massachusetts Commission on Clean Heat on Nov. 30 published its final recommendations on reducing emissions from heating fuels. The recommendations incorporate the utilization of essential principles and procedures centred on guaranteeing an equitable approach to decarbonization of both present and new buildings, including suitable resourcing, institutional coordination and alignment and the development and application…...
Efforts to preserve and expand the U.S. nuclear fleet are figuring more prominently across the U.S., spurred by the growing demand for emission-free energy. In particular, policy actions and initiatives are geared towards making nuclear power more competitive.
The U.S. Energy Department on Nov. 22 announced a new funding opportunity worth $550 million through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, or EECBG, program that will reinforce community-based clean energy projects across the country to support local government and the deployment of clean energy technologies. The funding sponsored by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment…...
