Articles tagged with "electric-grid"
Microsoft Has a Plan to Keep Its Data Centers From Raising Your Electric Bill
Microsoft announced a series of initiatives aimed at addressing community concerns about the impact of its data centers on local electricity rates and resources. Speaking at an event in Virginia, Microsoft vice chair Brad Smith acknowledged public worries about rising electricity costs, water supply, and job implications linked to data center expansions. The company committed to working with public utilities to request higher electricity rates for data centers, aiming to prevent these facilities from increasing residents’ utility bills. This move comes amid growing scrutiny and opposition to data centers across the U.S., where their energy demands contribute to rising electricity prices and have led to stalled or canceled projects. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s recent pledge to collaborate with major tech companies, including Microsoft, to ensure data centers do not inflate customer utility bills. While the Trump administration has prioritized expediting data center development—removing environmental protections and encouraging construction on federal lands—local opposition has intensified, cutting across political lines. Rising electricity bills, driven by aging grid infrastructure and increased demand from data centers, have
energydata-centerselectricity-billselectric-gridenergy-consumptionMicrosoftutility-ratesLeading US Utility Trolls Trump Over Coal And Solar Power
Duke Energy’s Florida branch has announced a significant reduction in residential electricity bills, projecting an average 22% cut by March 2026, equating to about $44 monthly savings per household. The utility credits the majority of these savings to investments in solar power, including new solar projects in Hernando, Sumter, and Madison counties, which help avoid fuel costs estimated at $750 million. Additional savings of $350 million will come from upgrades to existing power plants and grid improvements, including a utility pole replacement program that reduces outages. Duke’s energy strategy emphasizes a transition to cleaner generation sources such as natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage, notably excluding coal, which contrasts with the Trump administration’s favored energy policies. Looking ahead, Duke plans to complete eight more solar projects by 2027, adding 900 megawatts of capacity and expanding its solar portfolio to over 6.1 gigawatts by 2033. These new solar sites are expected to displace
energysolar-powerrenewable-energyDuke-Energyelectric-gridenergy-storagepower-plantsFord is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid
Ford is launching a new battery storage business as part of its strategic shift away from producing large electric vehicles. Instead of abandoning its battery production plans, Ford will repurpose its existing Kentucky factory to manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic cells and battery energy storage system modules, using technology licensed from China’s CATL. The company aims to build 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of annual capacity and plans to start shipping these battery storage systems in 2027. Ford is investing approximately $2 billion over the next two years into this venture, targeting primarily commercial grid customers, with data centers as a secondary market and eventual plans to offer home storage products. This move positions Ford alongside other automakers like Tesla and General Motors, who have already entered the battery storage market. Tesla, for example, deploys around 10 GWh of battery storage every quarter. Ford’s decision leverages its century-long manufacturing expertise and existing technology licenses to create a natural extension of its business. The
energybattery-storageelectric-gridLFP-batteriesForddata-centersenergy-storage-systemsMusings About The Dutch Electric Grid In 2050 — Part 1 - CleanTechnica
The article "Musings About The Dutch Electric Grid In 2050 — Part 1" explores potential future scenarios for the Netherlands' energy infrastructure by 2050, acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in long-term predictions. The author anticipates a warmer climate that falls short of catastrophic levels and emphasizes that the energy transition should focus on meeting final energy demand rather than simply replacing primary energy inputs. A key insight is the "primary energy fallacy," which highlights that much of the current primary energy input is lost before reaching useful consumption, particularly in fossil fuel use for transportation. Two main visions for the future energy system are presented. The first is a hybrid approach maintaining much of the current energy structure but incorporating synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and electricity, relying on emerging technologies expected within the next decade. This path is less disruptive politically and economically but results in a more expensive and less resilient system, favoring existing energy industry players. The second vision advocates for a radical "electrify everything" strategy, requiring new
energyelectric-gridenergy-transitionrenewable-energysynthetic-fuelshydrogenenergy-infrastructureExposing The Fossil Fuel FUD About Renewable Energy - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses a recent public opinion survey conducted by Cygnal for the Conservative Energy Network across five U.S. states—Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The survey revealed strong bipartisan support among likely voters for expanding the electric grid and increasing renewable energy to help control rising utility bills. Nearly 75% favored enlarging the grid, about two-thirds supported adding transmission lines to connect clean energy sources and improve grid reliability, and close to 90% expressed concern about rising energy costs. These findings were highlighted by Cygnal’s senior partner Chris Lane as notable for their consistency across political lines and regions, suggesting that renewable energy support is not a partisan issue. In response, the fossil fuel industry reacted defensively, attempting to discredit the survey and renewables in general. The article highlights attacks from groups like the Institute for Energy Research (IER), which argue that wind and solar power require significantly more materials and land than fossil fuel plants to generate equivalent electricity
energyrenewable-energyfossil-fuelswind-powersolar-powerelectric-gridclean-energyHave No Fear, The Superman Of Solar Power Is Here
The article critiques a recent U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) report warning of a dramatic increase in blackouts by 2030 unless coal and gas power plants are preserved. The report, released under tight political timelines and lacking clear authorship, is viewed as biased toward traditional “firm” energy sources like coal, gas, and nuclear, while downplaying the role of renewables such as wind, solar, and energy storage. The DOE’s emphasis aligns with the current administration’s energy policy favoring “energy dominance” through reliable and affordable sources, heavily influenced by leadership with ties to the fossil fuel industry. In contrast, the article highlights the growing strength and capability of the renewable energy sector, particularly solar power, which is already meeting rising electricity demands in the U.S. Despite the DOE’s apparent partisan stance, renewable energy remains part of the broader policy framework, including emerging marine energy collaborations. Solar industry innovators, such as the startup UbiQD working with First Solar, continue to advance technologies
energysolar-powerrenewable-energyelectric-gridenergy-securityDepartment-of-Energypower-outagesBig Horrible Budget Bill Still Going To Kill Countless American Jobs - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica criticizes a recent large budget bill passed by Senate Republicans, arguing that it will significantly increase the US deficit by providing substantial tax cuts to billionaires and large corporations while eliminating key tax credits for the electric vehicle (EV) and solar industries. The author contends that these cuts will cost the country numerous jobs and harm the economy, particularly in Republican-controlled states, as the fossil fuel industry seeks to reduce competition from clean energy sectors to prolong profits from oil, coal, and gas. The bill is portrayed as favoring fossil fuel interests, which have strong influence over the Republican Party, and undermining America’s manufacturing resurgence and global energy leadership. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) strongly opposes the bill, warning that it will lead to higher electric bills, factory closures, job losses, and a weaker electric grid. SEIA’s president, Abigail Ross Hopper, emphasizes that the legislation would damage America’s competitiveness, destabilize its energy future, and cede technological
energysolar-energyfossil-fuelsenergy-policyclean-energyelectric-gridenergy-jobsWhat Happens When AI, EVs, and Smart Homes All Plug In at Once? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the growing challenges faced by the electric distribution grid as artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs), and smart homes increasingly demand more energy. It highlights that much of our energy consumption is invisible, powering everything from data centers and AI systems to e-mobility and smart home technologies. According to a 2025 study by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), US electricity demand is expected to rise by 50% by 2050, driven largely by a 300% increase in data center energy use and a staggering 9,000% rise in energy consumption for electric mobility and charging. The International Energy Agency warns that the rapid expansion of data centers could strain local power networks, risking more frequent blackouts if grid upgrades do not keep pace. The article emphasizes that the current grid infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle this surge in demand without significant investment and modernization. Utilities like CenterPoint Energy are proactively investing billions in grid improvements to meet future needs, anticipating substantial increases in peak electricity usage. Technological innovations, such as smart grid automation and advanced protection devices, offer promising solutions to enhance grid resilience and reliability. These technologies help manage energy fluctuations, improve efficiency, and reduce service interruptions, positioning the grid to better support the evolving energy landscape shaped by AI, EVs, and smart homes.
energyelectric-gridelectrificationdata-centersartificial-intelligenceenergy-consumptionsmart-homes