Those setting out to build an efficient, sustainable or even net-zero home in the USA or Canada, or to renovate an existing home for lower energy costs and better comfort, need to ask first; “what climate zone am I in?” The first step to building a durable and energy-efficient home in North America, including Passive house […]
Sweden first in the world: Electric car chargers are used to relieve the electricity grid
In recent years, we have seen the news that the Swedish electricity grid, especially in southern Sweden, cannot guarantee a stable supply of electricity. This has led a couple of companies to consider not investing in new factories in Skåne. Now the electricity company Tibber is pulling its weight by, for the first time in the world, […]
Tesla patents new technology for lithium metal/anode-free battery cells
Tesla has applied for a patent on new electrolyte solutions for a new lithium metal or anode-free battery cell. Over the last year, we have been reporting on Tesla’s battery research partner, Jeff Dahn and his team at Dalhousie University, unveiling the impressive results of tests on a new battery cell that could last over 1 […]
Microgrid of the future emerges in Washington as Avista preps transactive DER project
New building control systems and a pair of solar+storage systems will test the business case for greater integration of distributed energy resources. Avista Energy is preparing to launch a “micro-transactive grid” in Spokane, Washington, that experts say illustrates the future of distributed energy resource (DER) management. Beyond maintaining resilient power, the microgrid will provide visibility and control […]
How energy storage will kill fossil fuel
Utility-scale batteries have been dismissed by some as no more than a useful bolt-on to our existing electricity grids to help with a little bit of demand stabilization here and there. But dramatic cost reductions, improved efficiencies, and a plethora of new innovations in how to store energy that can be delivered into the grid […]