Author: Graham Foster

Dive Brief: Ava Community Energy recently introduced an impressive $11.25 million incentive program aimed at helping homeowners install solar and battery storage systems. Based in Oakland, California, the community choice aggregator offers a SmartHome Battery program, which allows customers to share up to 80% of their home batteries. For those qualifying based on income, Ava will provide rebates of $500 per kWh shared, while others will receive $90 per kWh. This announcement follows California lawmakers advancing a bill to update the state’s energy capacity rules, allowing distributed energy resources like home batteries to count as energy capacity. Dive Insight: According…

By the end of this decade, quantum computers are expected to significantly impact the energy sector, much like artificial intelligence did recently. This article recalls a moment from 2032, two years after quantum computing has begun to show its potential in real-world energy challenges. Quantum Fever is Here Brisbane, Summer Olympics 2032. At a rooftop party overlooking the harbor, I encounter several startup founders eager to discuss their plans to transform the power grid with quantum computing. Each new conversation adds to the excitement surrounding this technology. As remarkable as the Olympic opening ceremonies were, with Australia’s Prime Minister Rachel…

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a “request for information” focused on energy generation and storage projects that may qualify for state support in a proposed fast-track grid connection by PJM Interconnection. The DEP is keen to partner with a variety of developers who can present large-scale energy projects in Pennsylvania. They are also open to hearing from developers with large projects that might not meet PJM’s proposed requirements, seeking insights into potential future opportunities. This initiative aligns with PJM’s plan to introduce an Expedited Interconnection Track by August, which is currently under review by the Federal…

Dive Brief: The Nevada Public Utilities Commission recently approved a plan for NV Energy’s utilities, namely Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power, to join the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) formed by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). This decision will be effective in the fall of 2028, allowing NV Energy to tap into a wider energy network and enhance participation from distributed energy resources in the wholesale market. The commission noted CAISO’s adaptive governance and quick response capabilities in emergency situations as essential factors in their approval. Dive Insight: Two day-ahead markets are currently emerging in the West: EDAM and…

In recent years, many companies have claimed substantial progress towards clean energy usage, presenting reports that highlight a complete shift away from fossil fuels. However, the reality often tells a different story. Despite the growing trend of declaring a 100% reliance on renewable energy from sources like wind and solar, the current framework for assessing greenhouse gas emissions permits these claims, even if they don’t align with actual energy use. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which sets the standard for emissions accounting globally, offers guidelines that allow companies to assert they use clean energy, based on the purchase of energy certificates…

Creating energy infrastructure is a long and costly process, often taking years and involving billions of dollars alongside significant political efforts. According to researchers from three universities, investing in better data is a more efficient way to improve energy systems at a fraction of the cost. Source

An Amazon-backed nuclear reactor company, X-energy, is preparing to go public as interest in nuclear energy grows. The company has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, aiming for a debut in early summer. Small modular reactors (SMRs) like the one X-energy is developing are increasingly seen as a solution to meet the rising electricity demand driven by data centers and the shift to electric cars and appliances. Current projections show that electricity demand from U.S. data centers may jump from 34.7 gigawatts in 2024 to 106 gigawatts by 2035, according to BloombergNEF. X-energy’s…

Europe’s electricity grid operators are urging significant reforms across the continent following last year’s Iberian blackout. This call to action comes from ENTSO-E, the body representing various grid operators. The blackout, which occurred on April 28, 2022, affected nearly 60 million people in Spain and Portugal. It was described as a unique event, raising concerns about the stability of a power system that has shifted dramatically due to the growth of wind and solar energy sources. The incident led to increased scrutiny of renewable energy and questions about Spain’s plans to eliminate nuclear power. On the day of the blackout,…

Spain is standing firm in defense of the EU carbon trading system, stating that dismantling it amid the energy price crisis triggered by the Iran war would be a major mistake. Italy and several other countries are pushing to suspend the emissions trading system (ETS), which accounts for about 11% of energy costs, to ease market pressures following the closure of key oil and gas transit routes. Sara Aagesen Muñoz, Spain’s energy minister, expressed concern that using this crisis to alter a functioning system would be irresponsible. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the ETS while reflecting on lessons learned…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Attendees at the National Facilities Management & Technology East 2026 conference learned that effective energy management systems can significantly reduce electricity costs. Richard Fox, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Sanalife Energy, emphasized the importance of managing peak energy demand. Fox explained that utilities charge demand fees based on the highest amount of electricity a facility uses, which incentivizes businesses to lower their peak load. According to him, failing to do so can lead to significant increases in costs. He shared that demand charges can go as high as $70 per kilowatt. “Every kilowatt you can reduce…