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Utility portals are not just customer self-service platforms; they can also become employee support systems. The article proposes four key capabilities: an accurate view of CIS data, true automation, consistent cross-channel processes, and shared views with guidance tools, citing VertexOne experts and the KUA case to illustrate their value.
The U.S. and Canada failed to reach a deal on Friday, activating 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports. Canada suspended negotiations and will impose matching tariffs from Sept. 8, escalating trade tensions between the two North American economies.
Walmart has expanded its 30-minutes-or-less delivery offering to 38 U.S. markets, adding five new locations since May. The service, which costs $10 for Walmart+ members, is part of a broader strategy to leverage stores for faster fulfillment. Fast-delivery gross merchandise value grew 48% year over year in Q2, and fee-based deliveries hit an all-time high of 37% of store-fulfilled orders.
PJM Interconnection is taking a second attempt to streamline surplus interconnection service (SIS) after its 2025 reforms saw limited uptake. With only two of eight applications approved since 2023, PJM is now considering allowing hybrid resources to participate separately in energy and ancillary services markets. Industry experts and trade groups support the move, citing urgent capacity needs and successful models in MISO and SPP.
Officials at Texas grid operator ERCOT said they plan to complete an audit of about 300 large data center proposals by December 10, in response to Governor Greg Abbott's moratorium. Audit delays could affect planning efforts such as the state's long-term load forecast and reliability assessments.
Duke Energy filed its 2026 Carolinas Resource Plan on Monday, recommending 18.5 GW of solar, 14 GW of gas, 13 GW of storage, and 4.5 GW of new nuclear by 2041. The plan addresses significant regional growth, with winter peak projected to increase by more than 10 GW (about 30%). Gas additions include 8.2 GW combined cycle and 5.8 GW combustion turbines. Duke also seeks to extend nuclear licenses to 80 years and maintains a 1% annual energy efficiency savings target.
Chief executives of nonprofit electric cooperatives, including NRECA's Jim Matheson, pressed for full repeal of EPA's 2024 greenhouse gas standards for gas-fired power plants. They argue the 40% capacity factor threshold and carbon capture requirements are untenable, especially as data center demand soars. The EPA's proposed repeal rule remains stalled at OMB.
FERC on Wednesday approved SPP's plan to allow market participants and the grid operator to propose topology reconfigurations—opening or closing circuit breakers to reroute power—as a lower-cost alternative to redispatching plants. SPP estimates potential savings of $18M–$44M annually based on a study with NewGrid and Brattle Group. MISO's similar program has saved $95M so far this year. FERC commissioners urged broader adoption of such technologies.
During a Regulatory Assistance Project webinar, experts discussed how virtual power plants (VPPs) are expanding their value proposition to include affordability, reliability, and resilience. Speakers from RMI, Sunrun, National Grid, and Xcel Energy shared insights on program design, customer participation, and emerging models like vehicle-to-grid integration.
一项由智能能源消费者合作组织、全国房地产经纪人协会及257公司联合开展的研究表明，超过80%的购房者认为能源效率重要，但仅34%的经纪人意识到这一点。公用事业公司可通过提供教育资源、工具和合作，填补信息缺口，促进节能技术应用。