12 major cities sign declaration to promote clean transit

By signing the Fossil-Fuel Free Streets Declaration, mayors pledged to transition to zero-emissions buses and extend green city areas.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 23, 2017

Portland, ME may soon install Wi-Fi in its street lights

The city is looking to install smart technologies on its lampposts in addition to energy efficient LED lightbulbs.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 23, 2017

New Florida muni solar program cuts NEM rates, includes battery storage incentives

Jacksonville Electric Authority seeks to procure 250 MW of utility-scale solar and provide battery storage rebates, while trimming the net metering rate for new customers to the utility's fuel rate. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2017

Toronto officially announces Sidewalk Labs as smart city partner

"Sidewalk Toronto" will become an innovation playground for Google's sister subsidiary.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 19, 2017

Sonnen plans solar+storage virtual power plant in Arizona home development

Mandalay Homes has partnered with Germany's Sonnen to install smart residential energy storage systems in a new Arizona community.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2017

Automated robots are the key to utility infrastructure management

The real goal is complete autonomy; the removal of human intervention. This is where the true cost savings will materialize.

By Michael Hartnack • Oct. 9, 2017

Massachusetts starts inquiry into energy storage eligibility for net metering

Regulators will also examine the qualification of net metering facilities to bid into ISO-New England’s forward capacity market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

Harvard survey: Only one-third of businesses have developed resiliency plans

If city leaders want businesses to get on board with resiliency and sustainability plans, they should target their concerns: costs and continuity of operations.

By Cody Boteler • Oct. 5, 2017

ITC seeks more details as solar sector battles over remedies in trade case hearing

More than 50 stakeholders crowded the ITC's hearing room to debate the merits of proposed tariffs as well as a quota and floor price in a 9-hour hearing Tuesday. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 4, 2017

ACEEE: Massachusetts tops energy efficiency scorecard for 7th-consecutive year

California and Rhode Island rounded out the top three spots, while Idaho, Florida and Virginia were touted as most-improved states.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 3, 2017

More government workers are using standing desks at the office (with related video)

Look for more government staffers to rely on standing desks in the future, says Jason McCann, VARIDESK CEO.

Oct. 1, 2017

Nanogrid storage could prevent future Puerto Rico-style electricity disasters

As the island territory struggles to keep the lights on, a Cornell professor suggests a way forward: designing buildings that can generate and store their own power.

By Cody Boteler • Sept. 28, 2017

Trio of new bills in Congress aim to support energy storage deployment

Industry leaders hope to cast energy storage as a resource that "helps everyone," avoiding the partisan divides of energy resource politics on Capitol Hill. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 28, 2017

Solar sector steels for tariff fight after ITC harm ruling

Industry groups are pushing for softer trade remedies after the ITC found harm to domestic solar manufacturers last week. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 28, 2017

San Francisco studying solar-plus-storage systems to boost local resiliency

The city is studying alternatives to diesel generators to help in earthquakes and other major disasters.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2017

Mercedes-Benz plans $1B investment in US electric vehicle production

The outlay includes a 1 million-square-foot electric car battery factory in Tuscaloosa, AL, and the expansion of an existing plant nearby.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 25, 2017

On infrastructure investment, don’t miss the forest for the trees

All parties must agree on a smart vision for the 21st century that features critical energy infrastructure — including district energy, CHP and microgrids.

By Rob Thornton • Sept. 20, 2017

Itron agrees to acquire Silver Spring Networks in $830M deal

The combination of two leading smart grid and metering companies could help Itron challenge Swiss giant Landis+Gyr. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2017

Solar insiders expect ITC harm finding, handing tariff decision to Trump

Sector leaders are confident the International Trade Commission will find that imported solar panels have hurt domestic manufacturers, but how the president will respond remains unclear. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 19, 2017

How utility pilot programs are driving renewable energy integration

SCE and APS want to use electric vehicles, water heaters and demand response to help add more wind and solar to the grid.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 18, 2017

NREL report: Solar panel prices fell 30% in the first quarter of 2017

Most of the price decline is tied to the collapse of photovoltaic module prices as a result of a mismatch between supply and demand in China.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 18, 2017

The 3 keys to city inclusivity: Collaboration, access and P3s

This week's Inclusive Smart Cities Summit highlighted how policies and innovations that are mindful of all residents can benefit workplaces, transportation and future workforces.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 14, 2017

Can used batteries be the key to unlock EV charging profits?

EVgo has been testing onsite storage at a pilot electric vehicle charging station, aiming to reduce demand charges and make its stations more profitable.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2017

Tesla unveils first city-based Superchargers in Chicago and Boston

The newly-designed urban stations are intended to support customers who may not have immediate access to chargers in their homes or workplaces.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 13, 2017

Cybersecurity, resiliency focus of $50M funding for DOE labs

The funding targets next generation tools and technologies, with the largest chunk going to enhance the resiliency of distribution systems.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2017