Fossil fuels
Hawaii just got rid of coal power for good
Next up: finding new roles for coal plant workers — and keeping the lights on during a global energy crisis.
By Julian Spector .
Julian is a senior reporter at Canary Media, where he covers batteries and emerging technologies to store clean energy and unlock a carbon-free grid. He also reports on the budding clean hydrogen industry, and chases down clean energy breakthroughs in far-flung locales.
Prior to the launch of Canary Media in 2021, Julian covered the rise of the grid storage industry for much-loved industry news outlet Greentech Media. Previously he covered clean energy and transportation for CityLab at The Atlantic, and conducted grant-funded climate journalism in Bangladesh. His stories have appeared in The Guardian, HuffPost, Al Jazeera America, and other outlets. He speaks regularly at energy-related events and on podcasts. He graduated from Duke University and still misses Carolina barbecue, but enjoys investigating local cuisine wherever his reporting takes him.
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Solar
Climate law incentives prompt First Solar to build another US factory
The U.S. currently produces 11 gigawatts of solar modules each year. By 2025, First Solar will be making 10 gigawatts all by itself.By Julian Spector .
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Electric vehicles
Lucky drivers will get discount on Ford EV pickup for helping the grid
Some customers leasing Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks will score lower monthly payments in exchange for sharing power with the grid at peak times, under a deal between Ford and Duke Energy.By Julian Spector .
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Solar
Hawaii's biggest solar+battery plant comes online — just in time
Despite supply-chain hurdles and other hiccups, developer Clearway Energy was able to get the solar-and-storage facility running before Oahu's last coal plant closes.By Julian Spector .
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Energy storage
Energy storage wins a long-sought victory with Inflation Reduction Act
A dedicated grid-storage tax credit will unleash a new wave of development for technologies critical to meeting U.S. climate goals.By Julian Spector .
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Batteries
This utility keeps customers cool during heat waves while saving them money
Vermont’s Green Mountain Power helped thousands of customers get home batteries. Now it taps them at peak times to prevent high costs and grid outages.By Julian Spector .
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Electric vehicles
3 things every EV driver should know about their tires
Electric cars put different kinds of stress on tires, and that should factor into how you choose and care for them.By Julian Spector .
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Energy storage
Grid energy storage is still pulling in big bucks, recession be damned
Three recent deals showcase investor confidence in the long-term growth of the battery storage market despite near-term turbulence elsewhere in the economy.By Julian Spector .
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Utilities
Utilities are planning to shift to clean energy — just not too quickly
CEO of electricity research group EPRI says U.S. utilities are poised to go big on solar, wind and batteries — but they aren't ready to give up their gas and coal plants just yet.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy
Clean-energy workers demand assurances on abortion care benefits
Most cleantech and renewables firms have avoided public statements on the rollback of abortion rights. Now employees are asking them to clarify their stances.By Julian Spector .
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