Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: U.S.

  • Plug-in solar gains momentum as states confront energy costs

    Several states in the U.S. are exploring legislation to support plug-in solar energy systems, also known as balcony solar, which have been successful in Germany. This green technology is being tested and certified for use in American homes, offering a cost-effective solution for rising electricity costs. The bipartisan opportunity for climate advocates in the U.S. comes at a time when subsidies for other renewable energy options have been repealed under the current administration. This shift towards plug-in solar could be a significant step towards achieving climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/plug-in-solar-gains-momentum-as-states-confront-energy-costs/

  • Meta to support 6.6 GW of nuclear across 3 companies

    Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced plans to support the development and maintenance of 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear energy on the U.S. grid by 2035. This initiative is aimed at supplying energy to the American artificial intelligence industry, a national security priority. Meta will collaborate with companies like TerraPower and Oklo to develop advanced reactors and keep three existing nuclear plants in service. These agreements make Meta one of the largest corporate purchasers of nuclear energy in American history, with the projects expected to create thousands of jobs and accelerate new reactor technologies.

    https://www.eenews.net/articles/meta-to-support-6-6-gw-of-nuclear-across-3-companies/

  • XCharge North America and Energy Plus Partner to Build One of the Largest Battery-Backed EV Charging Depots in the U.S.

    XCharge NA and Energy Plus have partnered to create a large battery-backed EV charging depot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, set to go live in Q2 2026. The site will feature 44 XCharge NA GridLink units providing 9.46 MWh of energy storage for 88 parking spaces, aiming to strengthen local resiliency and mitigate electricity costs. This partnership demonstrates a model for public and private companies to accelerate the clean energy transition in urban areas, with plans to expand the Eplug model to other major U.S. cities. XCharge NA specializes in high-power EV charging and battery-integrated solutions tailored to the North American electrical grid, working towards establishing a global green future through improved grid resilience and new revenue streams.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/07/xcharge-north-america-and-energy-plus-partner-to-build-one-of-the-largest-battery-backed-ev-charging-depots-in-the-u-s/

  • The next-gen retail energy mix: Aligning supply portfolios with customer expectations

    The U.S. power sector is undergoing a transformation with a shift towards cleaner, more distributed generation and rising demand driven by electrification and digital infrastructure. Retail energy providers (REPs) are facing a dual challenge of managing a next-generation supply portfolio while ensuring it resonates with customers. Wind and solar have overtaken coal in the national generation mix, signaling a systemic shift towards renewables. The growing demand for electricity driven by data centers, electrification, and digital consumption is reshaping the way REPs think about procurement and risk. The future of the retail electricity market will be shaped by decentralization, digitization, and decarbonization, requiring REPs to evolve into services and market orchestration providers. Retail energy providers must adopt a diversified approach to their supply portfolios to integrate renewable energy sources, dispatchable resources, storage, and demand response capacity. This is necessary to hedge against volatility and meet consumer demand for clean energy and sustainability. Customer-centricity, transparency, and personalization are becoming increasingly important in the retail energy market, with different generational segments having varying priorities. The next-generation retail energy mix requires alignment and diversification on both the supply and customer sides to ensure reliability, cost stability, and customer satisfaction. The article discusses the importance of retail energy providers (REPs) adapting to the changing energy landscape by integrating grid-edge resources, prioritizing flexibility in supply portfolios, segmenting offerings based on customer values, and investing in digital infrastructure. It emphasizes the need for REPs to treat supply and customer engagement as an integrated strategy, prioritize transparency, and engage in regulatory and market design conversations. The energy transition towards renewable penetration, demand growth, DER integration, and evolving customer expectations is redefining deregulated retail energy markets. REPs that successfully orchestrate portfolios reflecting modern supply realities and customer values will position themselves as trusted partners in the energy systems of tomorrow.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/the-next-gen-retail-energy-mix-aligning-supply-portfolios-with-customer-ex/805828/

  • Programmatic alignment is key to scaling residential battery demand response

    Residential battery storage paired with demand response programs is becoming a key strategy for utilities to manage peak demand and maintain reliability during extreme weather events. U.S. residential battery installations saw a significant increase in 2025, with major utilities expanding programs to defer grid upgrades and strengthen resilience. Coordinated marketing and simple enrollment pathways are key to scaling residential Distributed Energy Resources (DER) participation, as shown by research from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and ACEEE. Risk-sharing models, where utilities guarantee minimum payments to OEMs and technology providers, can help shift the financial risk of enrollment. To scale battery programs, it is important to treat battery demand response as a market development opportunity rather than just a technology deployment problem. Unified action, streamlined interconnection, interoperable standards, and risk-sharing business models are needed to align utilities, OEMs, and customers around shared value for successful scaling.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/residential-battery-demand-response/805594/

  • Rooftop solar is booming, but not in the communities that need it most

    Solar adoption in the U.S. has been rapidly growing, with 84% of new electricity generation capacity coming from solar and storage in 2024. State governments are implementing programs to lower barriers to entry for solar technology, such as tax credits and rebates, while community solar is being used to increase access for low-income households. There is nearly 14 GW of untapped potential on commercial rooftops that can power various facilities without requiring additional land use permits. By combining data analysis with community engagement, solar development can be made faster, equitable, and strategic, turning existing infrastructure into renewable energy assets that benefit a range of communities. The key to achieving a cleaner future lies in merging innovation with inclusion, aligning policy, technology, and trust to make solar work for everyone.

    https://www.utilitydive.com/news/rooftop-solar-is-booming-but-not-in-the-communities-that-need-it-most/805488/

  • Could American “Spirited Self-Determination” Reshape Energy?

    Schneider Electric has been partnering with the National Laboratory of the Rockies for a decade to tackle energy questions, focusing on projects such as analyzing the U.S. energy economy in 2050 and developing smart panels for homeowners. The partnership aims to bring together electric ingenuity, automation, artificial intelligence, and digital control to provide better energy solutions, with outcomes potentially leading to reduced energy costs and greater control over electricity flow for Americans. Schneider Electric is investing in technologies and systems to adapt to America's energy future, exploring plausible energy futures and preparing to navigate change based on insights. The partnership is also analyzing the potential energy and cost savings of smart panels for American consumers and utilities, with simulations being conducted to quantify the long-term benefits of this technology. Together, Schneider Electric and NLR are focused on making a significant impact in the energy sector, aiming for greater resilience, affordability, and competitiveness in the future energy landscape.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/23/could-american-spirited-self-determination-reshape-energy/

  • CDR Monthly Recap

    In September 2025, the durable carbon removal market saw nearly 119,000 tonnes of CDR contracted, with deals involving Google, Vaulted Deep, Schneider Electric, and Climeworks Solutions. Various new projects, partnerships, and funding opportunities are driving momentum in the industry, including investments in high-impact carbon removal projects, solid-sorbent DAC technology deployment, and the launch of commercial Direct Air Capture units. Companies like Ucaneo, Equatic, Boeing, and Origen Carbon are scaling up their CDR technologies, while initiatives such as the Carbon Removal Challenge and university-led online courses on carbon removal are being launched. California passed bills to accelerate CDR, COP30 will host a carbon removal pavilion, and the World Resources Institute published a roadmap for U.S. states to scale DAC.

    https://www.cdr.fyi/blog/cdr-monthly-recap-september-2025

  • Hyundai Motor Group Expands EV Energy Services with Vehicle to Grid and Vehicle to Home

    Hyundai Motor and Kia are expanding Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) services, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) services, in various regions such as Korea, Europe, and the U.S. These initiatives aim to turn electric vehicles (EVs) into essential components of the global energy ecosystem by allowing them to store, supply, and share electricity with grids and homes. By launching V2G services in the Netherlands and Korea's Jeju Island, the Group is promoting renewable energy, reducing electricity expenses for customers, and supporting grid stability. The expansion of V2H services in the U.S. will enable EVs to provide backup power during emergencies and peak-demand periods, enhancing energy resilience and promoting efficient, renewable energy use.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/28/hyundai-motor-group-expands-ev-energy-services-with-vehicle-to-grid-and-vehicle-to-home/